[Chemical Knowledge]：The nature and use of potassium hydroxide, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods, commonly known as potassium hydroxide and use

Potassium hydroxide properties

Potassium hydroxide (KOH), commonly known as caustic potash, is an inorganic compound, a white solid state. It is highly soluble in water and releases a lot of heat when dissolved to generate a strong alkaline solution. Potassium hydroxide is hygroscopic and can absorb moisture and carbon dioxide from the air to generate potassium carbonate. In terms of chemical properties, potassium hydroxide is a strong base that can neutralize with acids to generate salts and water, and react with a variety of metal and non-metal oxides to generate corresponding compounds.

Potassium hydroxide use

Potassium hydroxide has a wide range of uses in industry. It serves as an important raw material in the production of soaps and detergents for the manufacture of soft soaps and liquid detergents. Because of its strong alkalinity, potassium hydroxide is also widely used in neutralization and saponification reactions in chemical production. It is used as a food additive in the food industry, such as natto, a traditional Japanese food. In the pharmaceutical industry, potassium hydroxide is used as an intermediate or reagent for the preparation of drugs. Potassium hydroxide is also commonly used in the electroplating, printing and battery industries, for example, as an electrolyte in nickel plating and zinc plating processes, and as an electrolyte in nickel-metal hydride batteries.

Upstream raw materials

The production of potassium hydroxide mainly depends on the chlor-alkali industry. Its upstream raw materials include potassium chloride and water. Potassium chloride is usually extracted from ore and used as raw material after purification treatment. The industrial preparation method of potassium hydroxide is mainly electrolysis, that is, potassium hydroxide, hydrogen and chlorine are generated by electrolysis of potassium chloride aqueous solution. This process requires a lot of electricity, so the cost of electricity is also an important part of the production of potassium hydroxide. The electrolytic cells and diaphragm materials used in the production process also have an impact on raw material selection and cost control.

Downstream Products

Potassium hydroxide is widely used in downstream products, covering many fields. For example, in the agricultural field, potassium hydroxide is used to make potassium-containing fertilizers to promote crop growth. In chemical production, it is used as a raw material for the preparation of various potassium salts, such as potassium carbonate, potassium sulfate, etc. In the field of medicine, potassium hydroxide is used to prepare a variety of drugs and pharmaceutical intermediates. In food processing, potassium hydroxide is used as an acidity regulator and food additive to ensure the quality and safety of food. In the field of environmental protection, potassium hydroxide is also used in wastewater treatment and flue gas desulfurization to play its strong alkaline neutralization and adsorption.

Potassium hydroxide storage method

Potassium hydroxide is highly hygroscopic and corrosive, so its storage requires special attention. Potassium hydroxide should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated warehouse to avoid contact with moisture to prevent it from absorbing moisture or reacting with carbon dioxide in the air to generate potassium carbonate. The container for storing potassium hydroxide should be made of anti-corrosion materials with good sealing performance, usually plastic barrels or galvanized iron barrels. In order to prevent leakage and contamination, the container should be protected from damage during storage. Appropriate protective equipment such as goggles, gloves and protective clothing shall be provided in the warehouse for use when necessary.

Market Prospects

With the development of industry and agriculture, the market demand for potassium hydroxide is growing. Especially in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food processing industries, the demand for high purity potassium hydroxide is particularly strong. The improvement of environmental protection requirements has also promoted the application of potassium hydroxide in environmental protection fields such as wastewater treatment and flue gas desulfurization. Globally, the potassium hydroxide market has shown a steady growth trend, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, thanks to the acceleration of industrialization and increased demand for agricultural production.

Safety and environmental issues

Although potassium hydroxide is widely used in industrial production, there are some safety and environmental problems in its use and storage. Potassium hydroxide is highly corrosive and has a serious irritating effect on the skin and eyes, so the operator must wear appropriate protective equipment. The leaked potassium hydroxide solution is potentially harmful to the environment and needs to be properly disposed. By-products produced in the production process, such as hydrogen and chlorine, also require safety management and environmental protection measures. In order to reduce the impact on the environment, potassium hydroxide production enterprises should adopt advanced production technology and waste treatment technology to ensure that the discharge standard.

Summary

As an important chemical raw material, potassium hydroxide has a wide range of industrial applications. Its unique physical and chemical properties make it play an important role in many fields. From the selection of upstream raw materials to the diversification of downstream products, the production and use of potassium hydroxide involves multiple links. In order to ensure safety and environmental protection, strict control conditions are required during production and storage to prevent pollution and accidents. With the continuous growth of market demand and the improvement of environmental protection requirements, the potassium hydroxide industry is facing new opportunities and challenges. In the future, with the advancement of technology and the expansion of application fields, potassium hydroxide will continue to play an important role in industrial production and social life.