Potassium nitrate

Veterinary medication:.

Toothpastes intended to prevent caries and to reduce painful sensitivity of the teeth are regulated as over-the-counter (OTC) anticaries drug products at Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR), Part 355. Such products may contain up to 5% potassium nitrate as a tooth desensitizing ingredient.

Industrial uses: Corrosion inhibitor, Soil amendments (fertilizers), Propellants, non-motive (blowing agents), Oxidizing agent, Hardener, Other.

Consumer uses: Soil amendments (fertilizers), Oxidizing agent, Propellants, non-motive (blowing agents).

Use classes: Food additives, Cosmetics.

Potassium Nitrate is a crystalline salt, KNO3, a strong oxidizer used especially in making gunpowder, as a fertilizer, and in medicine.

Manufactured by direct reaction of potassium chloride with concentrated nitric acid to produce potassium nitrate and chlorine... also by action of nitric acid on caustic potash or carbonate of potash.

Produced commercially in the United States based on the reaction of potassium chloride and nitric acid at elevated temperatures. Israel implements this reaction through a solvent extraction process.

Between the 17th and 19th centuries bacterial nitrification of nitrogen-rich organic wastes, e.g. animal feces, to potassium nitrite by piling with lime and potash was used...from mid-19th century to the 1950s conversion of Chile saltpeter with potassium chloride was the most important process... from ammonium nitrate and potassium chloride by double decomposition in aqueous solution.