Addis Ababa Science and Technology University

Prodution of Potassium Nitrate

Farhan Tahir, Frew Nega, Getu Demsew, Hana Rago, Kaleab Shumet

Introduction
Potassium nitrate is a chemical compound with the chemical formula
(KNO3). it is an ionic salt of potassium ions (K+) and nitrate ions NO3- and is NH4NO3 Powder KCl Powder

therefore an alkali metal nitrate. Mixer

Mixer
Potassium nitrate is one of several nitrogen containing compounds Water
Water
collectively referred to as saltpeter or saltpetre, major uses of potassium
Reactor
nitrate are in fertilizers, tree stump removal, rocket propellants and fireworks,
its one of the major constituents of gunpowder(black powder).in processed
meats potassium nitrate reacts with hemoglobin and generates a pink color. NH4NO3 aqueous solution
KCL
aqueous
solution

Raw Material Solution containing

Filter
Used to filter the KNO 3
KNO3 and NH 4Cl crystals from the solution
Ammonium Nitrate (NH4NO3)
Crystalizer
Potassium Chloride (KCl) KNO 3 easly make crystals when cooling the solution Used to make NH 4Cl
Water(H20) as Solvent NH4Cl aqueous Crystals

Cooler and Crystalizer

solution

Production of Potassium Nitrate

Ammonium Nitrate reacted with Potassium Cloride to form Ammonium Chloride and
Potassium Nitrate. KNO3 Crystal Filter
Cooling and Cristalization of Potassium Nitrate Solution produces Potassium Nirate Separate NH4Cl
Crystals. Crystals from the
Solution
solution
Discharge
NH4NO3(aq) + KCl(aq) ----------------> NH 4Cl(aq) + KNO3(aq)

Dryer Cooler
Used to Dry the KNO 3
and then cooling it Dryer
Used to dry
NH4Cl crystals

Dry
NH4Cl Crystals
Dry
KNO3 Crystals