What is potassium nitrate

Potassium nitrate is actually what we call potassium nitrate, and its application range is relatively wide. For example, it is used as a colorant, color preservative, antimicrobial agent and preservative in industrial food. It is also the raw material for making black gunpowder and mine gunpowder fuse. Through these functions, we will find that it can actually cause some harm to health. If people inhale it, they may experience symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

1. Overview

Potassium nitrate is the nitrate of potassium, with the empirical formula KNO? (Potassium nitrate is an ionic compound and has no molecules, so it has no molecular weight, only formula weight). The appearance is transparent colorless or white powder, odorless, and the specific gravity (water = 1) is 2.11. The solubility in water is 13 g/100 mL (it varies with temperature; the higher the temperature, the higher the solubility. Among chemical substances, the solubility change of potassium nitrate is quite obvious). It has lower deliquescent property than sodium nitrate and has a cooling and stimulating salty taste. Soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol.

2. Application fields

1. Used as analytical reagent and oxidant, also used in the synthesis of potassium salts and preparation of explosives.

2. In the food industry, it is used as a colorant, color preservative, antimicrobial agent, and preservative. For example, it is used in pickled meat and as a preservative in luncheon meat.

3. It is the raw material for making black powder, such as mining gunpowder, fuse, firecrackers, etc. Also used in fireworks to produce purple sparks. Mechanical heat treatment Salt bath for quenching. The ceramic industry is used to make enamel pigments. Used as glass clarifier. Used to manufacture automobile lamp glass shells, optical glass cathode ray tube glass shells, etc. The pharmaceutical industry is used to produce penicillin potassium salt, rifampicin and other drugs. Used to make cigarette paper. Used as a catalyst. Ore dressing agent. Used as compound fertilizer for crops and flowers.

4. Potassium nitrate is also a coloring agent allowed for use in China. In meat products, it is reduced to potassium nitrite due to the action of bacteria, which plays a role in protecting color and inhibiting bacteria. China stipulates that it can be used in meat products, with a maximum usage of 0.5g/kg and the residue amount shall not exceed 0.03g/kg.

5. Used in making fireworks, matches, ceramic glazes, fertilizers, etc.

6. Industrial potassium nitrate is also widely used in the process of strengthening glass production.

3. Health Hazards

Inhalation of the dust of this product is irritating to the respiratory tract and inhalation of high concentrations may cause pulmonary edema. Large amounts of exposure can cause methemoglobinemia, affect the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity, and cause headaches, dizziness, cyanosis, nausea, and vomiting. Severe cases may cause respiratory disorders, collapse, and even death. Oral administration can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody stools, shock, whole body convulsions, coma, and even death. It is highly irritating to skin and eyes and may even cause burns. Repeated skin contact may cause dryness, cracking and rash.