Potassium Sulphate - United States

Brief overview

Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄) is a white, crystalline salt that is soluble in water and non-flammable. It was formerly referred to as potassium sulphate in British English, sulphate of potash, arcanite, or potash of sulfur. This substance, which supplies potassium and sulfur, is frequently found in fertilizers.

Manufacturing Process

Making potassium sulfate follows a similar process to that of making sodium sulfate. Potassium sulfate can be made by reacting potassium chloride and sulfuric acid using the Leblanc process. Potassium sulfate is produced by the reaction that follows:

2KCl + H₂SO₄ → 2HCl + K₂SO₄

The raw materials utilized in the Hargreaves process to produce potassium sulfate are sulfur dioxide, oxygen, water, and potassium chloride. Hydrochloric acid dissolves. Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is produced when sulfur is burned.

Agriculture Industry

Potassium sulfate is mostly used as fertilizer. Chloride, which can be detrimental to some crops, is absent from K₂SO₄. For these crops, which include tobacco and a few fruits and vegetables, potassium sulfate is recommended. Less sensitive crops could nevertheless need potassium sulfate for healthy development if the soil gets chloride buildup from irrigation water. There are also rare occasions when glass is made with crude salt.

Most commonly, potassium sulfate is used as fertilizer. K₂SO₄ doesn't contain chloride, which can be harmful to some crops. Potassium sulfate is advised for these crops, which include tobacco and a few fruits and vegetables. Even less sensitive crops may require potassium sulfate for proper growth if irrigation water builds up chloride in the soil. Crushed salt is also occasionally used to make glass.

Other Applications

Another application for potassium sulfate is in artillery propellant charges as a flash suppressor. It lessens blast overpressure, flareback, and muzzle flash.