Potassium Carbonate
Overview:
Potassium carbonate is also known as potash, pearl ash, salt of tartar, carbonate of potash, and salt of wormwood. It is a white, translucent, odorless, granular or crystalline material that tends to absorb water from the air. It is a mild alkali that has been used since recorded history in the making of soap and glass. Historically, it was derived from the boiled ashes of hardwood trees (hence the term “potash.”)
Today, potassium carbonate is prepared for commercial use through the electrolysis of potassium chloride. An estimated 7 million metric tons of potassium carbonate is produced annually in the United States. While still used in the production of glass and detergents, potassium carbonate is also used in the production of fertilizers, photographic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food products, cement and textiles.1
