Potassium bicarbonate

Template:Distinguish Template:Chembox Potassium bicarbonate (IUPAC name: potassium hydrogencarbonate, also known as potassium acid carbonate) is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula KHCO₃. It is a white solid.<ref name=Ullmann>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref>

A fire extinguisher containing potassium bicarbonate

Production and reactivity

It is manufactured by treating an aqueous solution of potassium carbonate or potassium hydroxide with carbon dioxide:<ref name=Ullmann/>

K₂CO₃ + CO₂ + H₂O → 2 KHCO₃

Decomposition of the bicarbonate occurs between Template:Convert:

2 KHCO₃ → K₂CO₃ + CO₂ + H₂O

This reaction is employed to prepare high purity potassium carbonate.

Uses

Food and drink

This compound is a source of carbon dioxide for leavening in baking. It can substitute for baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) for those with a low-sodium diet,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and it is an ingredient in low-sodium baking powders.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

As an inexpensive, nontoxic base, it is widely used in diverse application to regulate pH or as a reagent. Examples include as buffering agent in medications and as an additive in winemaking.

Potassium bicarbonate is often added to bottled water to improve taste,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and is also used in club soda.

Medical uses and health

Higher potassium intake may prevent development of kidney stone disease.<ref name="pmid18724413">Template:Cite journal</ref> Higher potassium intake is associated with a reduced risk of stroke.<ref name="pmid25973282">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Fire extinguishers

Potassium bicarbonate is used as a fire suppression agent ("BC dry chemical") in some dry chemical fire extinguishers, as the principal component of the Purple-K dry chemical, and in some applications of condensed aerosol fire suppression. It is the only dry chemical fire suppression agent recognized by the U.S. National Fire Protection Association for firefighting at airport crash rescue sites. It is about twice as effective in fire suppression as sodium bicarbonate.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Agriculture

Potassium bicarbonate has widespread use in crops, especially for neutralizing acidic soil.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Potassium bicarbonate is an effective fungicide against powdery mildew and apple scab, allowed for use in organic farming.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Potassium bicarbonate is a contact killer for Spanish moss when mixed Template:Fraction cup per gallon.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

The word saleratus, from Latin sal æratus meaning "aerated salt", first used in the nineteenth century, refers to both potassium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

External links

• Potassium Bicarbonate Handbook Template:Webarchive
• OMRI Potassium Bicarbonate
• Safety Data sheet - potassium bicarbonate
• Template:Cite NIE