STUDY OF THE PROCESS OF PRODUCING POTASSIUM NITRATE

Abstract

Potassium nitrate KNO₃, also known as potassium nitrate, is an anhydrous white crystalline salt, highly soluble in water. It has orthorhombic crystal symmetry; contains 46.58% K₂O, which in terms of nitrogen is 13.85%.

Potassium nitrate is a strong oxidizing agent. At temperatures above 340° C, it first intensively decomposes in its own melt with the formation of atomic oxygen.

Potassium nitrate can be obtained by several methods [1, 2].

The most common conversion method involves exchange decomposition between various nitrates and potassium chloride, carbonates or sulfate. Typically, exchange decomposition is carried out between potassium chloride and sodium nitrate.

NH₄NO₃ can also be used, but in this case NH₄Cl is obtained as a by-product, the demand for which is limited.