INORGANIC PROCESS TECHNOLOGY

TOPIC : POTASSIUM CHLORATE

Made by- 1) Riya Khambadkar

2)Khushbu Raut
3)Rikesh Nagpure
4)Shubhangi Pendam
5)Nikhil Kishor
6)Ritik Sahu
 Potassium Chlorate - KClO3
Structure of KClO3
General properties

Formula : KClO3

Appearance: White Crystal or Powder

Molar mass: 122.55 g/mol

Boiling Point: 400 °C

Physical
appearance
Melting Point: 356 °C

Density: Density: 2.34 g/cm³

Solubility in glycerol: 1 g/100 g (20 °C)

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Properties:

• It is toxic if ingested.
• When heated at high 645K, it begins to
decompose with evolution of O2.
• Causes irritation in eyes, skin, mucous
membrane when in contact.
• It has a cooling and saline taste.
• Its aqueous solution is colorless and denser
than water.
 APPLICATIONS
 Used as an oxidizing agent
 Used as a disinfectant.
 In making of explosives and fireworks.
 In cultivation, forcing the blossoming stage of the Longan tree,
causing it to produce fruit in warmer climates.
 In manufacturing of oxygen candles or chlorate candles.
 Used as pesticide.
 As a fertilizer (Effective alternative for ammonium nitrate).
 Used in manufacturing of paper.
 Used in manufacture of toothpaste.
 Applications of KClO3

Explosives & Fireworks ​ Safety matches

Fertilizer

Soil crunch Chlorate Candles

 PREPARATION OF
POTASSIUM CHLORATE
There are various manufacturing methods of potassium chlorate .
They are as follows ---

1. By Liebig process
2. By Chlorine disproportionation
3. Using Sodium hypochlorite
 LIEBIG PROCESS
On the industrial scale, potassium chlorate can be produced
via the Liebig process:

Step 1. Consider hot calcium hydroxide

Step 2. Pass chlorine into it.

6Ca(OH)2 + 6 Cl2 →(Calcium
Ca(ClO 3)2 + 5 CaCl2 + 6 H2O
chlorate)

Step 3. Addition of equivalent amount of potassium chloride.

Ca(ClO3)2 + 2 KCl →(Potassium
2 KClOchlorate)
3 + CaCl2

The solution is further cooled and KClO3 being less soluble than CaCl2 cystallizes out.
CHLORINE DISPROPORTIONATION
The reaction is based on the following equation:
3K2CO3 (aq) + 3Cl2 (g) --› 5KCl (aq) + KClO3 (aq) + 3CO2(g)
The oxidation number of chlorine is being both, reduced and increased during this reaction,
from 0 (Cl2), to -1 (KCl) and +5 (KClO3).

Step 1: Preparation of aqueous solution of K2CO3.

Step 2: Complete dissolution of K2CO3 is checked.
Step 3: Cl2 is passed into Hot K2CO3 solution.
Step 4: Add cold distilled water to dissolve KCl (more soluble than KClO3
in cold water i.e 0 °C)
Step 5: Stir the solution
Step 6: Filter the solution to obtained pure crystal of KClO3.
Step 7: Dry the crystal in silica gel container.
MODERN ELECTROLYTIC PROCESS
•
Apparatus - Pb lined rectangular wooden vessel with a mechanical
stirrer.
• Concentrated solution of KCl along with small quantity of HCl is
taken
• Anode : Made up of Platinum-Iridium

• Cathode : Made of Iron or Graphite

• Potassium Dichromate is added to solution, and current is passed.

When KCl is decomposed, K liberated at cathode reacts with water
giving KOH.
• Cl2 is liberated at anode reacts with KOH solution to form KClO3 .

• On evaporation, KClO3 being less soluble than KCl crystallizes out.

 K2Cr2O7

Fig. Flowsheet for electrolytic process for manufacturing of potassium chlorate

Thank you!