Potassium chloride contains 60 % K2O. This gives it a high percentage composition of potassium. Potassium is an essential nutrients for plants and thus potassium chloride being a good source of potassium, is used as a fertiliser. Potassium chloride is also the cheapest and most commonly available potassium fertiliser.
- fertilisers for crops and other plants
2. MANUFACTURE OF POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE
Potassium hydroxide is produced by the electrolysis of potassium chloride brine in electrolytic cells. In normal electrolysis of potassium chloride, hydrogen is produced at one electrode, making the aqueous solution near this electrode basic.
- Cathode reaction: 2 H2O + 2e- -> H2 (g) + 2 OH-
- Anode reaction: 2Cl- -> Cl2 (g) + 2e-
3. MEDICINE
Potassium ions are principal intracellular cations of most body tissues. They participate in a number of essential physiological processes such as maintenance of intracellular tonicity, transmission of nerve impulses,contraction of cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscles and the maintenance of a normal renal function. Potassium chloride is a source of potassium for the body and is used to treat deficiencies of potassium in the human body.
- Treatment of hypokalemia
- For digitalis poisoning
- Electrolyte replenisher
4. MANUFACTURE OF POTASSIUM METAL
The manufacturing of potassium metal is a thermo-chemical process in which molten potassium chloride is reacted with sodium vapour. Potassium chloride is reduced to potassium by reaction with metallic sodium at 850 °C because the potassium is removed by distillation.
- KCl(l) + Na(l) -> NaCl(l) + K(g)
5. FOOD PROCESSING
Potassium chloride is usually used with sodium chloride in food processing because sodium chloride is able to mask the bitter flavour of potassium chloride.
- Salt substitute
- For low sodium diets
- Source of potassium in diet
- Sodium-free substitute for sodium chloride (table salt)
6. JUDICIAL EXECUTION THROUGH LETHAL INJECTION
Used to execute criminals. A series of drugs are administered, with potassium chloride being the final drug.
- Potassium chloride is given at a lethal dose to interrupt the electrical signalling essential to heart functions-> cardiac arrest