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Potassium carbonate

Potassium carbonate (E501 nutritional supplement, potassium carbonic, potash) – fine-crystalline powder which is formed Порошок карбонат калияas a result of interaction of carbon dioxide with potassium hydroxide solution.

Receiving potassium carbonate

Ancient Romans and Greeks received this product from ashes. They used potash preferential for washing as it, creating an alkaline environment in solution, splits the fats contaminating fabric fibers.

In Russia this substance was extracted from ashes of herbaceous plants and trees since the sixteenth century. Ashes were filled in with water and watered with this solution a fire. The fire was boiled out, and at the bottom a thick layer potassium carbonate which then hollowed out Lomami crystallized. Receiving one kilogram of a product required more than two cubic meters of wood.

Now carbonic potassium is received by lixiviation by water of ashes of seaweed or cereals. Commercially it is received by chloride potassium electrolysis.

General properties of potassium carbonate

Potassium carbonate is instantly dissolved in water, but is not dissolved in ethanol at all. Carbonic potassium melts at a temperature of 891 °C. Substance has the expressed taste of alkali and has no smell. Powder has keratolytic and antimicrobic effect. Bacterial action is explained by its alkaline properties. The solvent temperature is higher, the its bactericidal properties are expressed stronger.

Potassium carbonate use

On the properties potassium carbonate can act as the stabilizer, the regulator of acidity, a baking powder, a dehumidifier. It is used for creation of homogeneous mix from immiscible components – waters and oils, water and fat.

In Карбонат калия в упаковкеagriculture the product is used as fertilizer.

This connection is also applied to disinfection of hitching posts, livestock rooms. Substance is added to ointments, linimentums, antiscabetic solutions for strengthening of medical effect of antiparasitic medicines.

Carbonic potassium is used in soap manufacture, and also by production of liquid detergents.

Harm of potassium carbonate

Use of E501 nutritional supplement in the food industry is limited because of possible harm for health of the person.

At hit of this powder on integuments it is necessary to wash away carefully it under flowing water as it can cause extensive irritations and eczema.

In water this substance forms caustic alkali which spoils footwear and clothes, and at hit on skin forms ulcers.

 
 
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