POTASSIUM

SULPHATE

Presented by
B sai(211603)
k Hima sailaja pravalika(211609)
INTRODUCTION :
 Potassium as a source of K exists as a single fertilizer like

potassium chloride (KCl), potassium sulfate K2SO4, and potassium

hydroxide (KOH) or as NPK fertilizers like mono potassium

phosphate (MKP), and potassium nitrate (KNO3).

 Potassium (K) fertilizer is commonly added to improve the yield and

quality of plants growing in soils that are lacking an adequate

supply of this essential nutrient.

 Potassium sulfate (K2SO4) also called sulfate of potash, arcanite

known as potash of sulfur is a non-flammable white crystalline salt 2

Contd..
 The chemical is commonly used in fertilizers, providing both potassium
and sulfur.
 Potassium sulfate contains 48 to 54% potassium (as K2O) and supplies
17-20 % of sulfate. Potassium sulfate is the second largest tonnage of
potassium compound and is primarily used as a fertilizer.
 The sulfate or other nonchloride forms of potassium are preferred for
certain crops

that do not tolerate the chloride ion well, eg., tobacco and some fruits
and vegetables.
 Nonchloride potash sources are also needed in areas where chloride
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Contd…. Secondary
Primary
nutrients nutrients

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PROPERTIES:
 Molecular formula : K2SO4

 Molecular weight : 174.26gm/mole

 Appearance : white crystalline solid

 Odour : Odourless

 Boiling point : 16890C

 Melting point :10690C

 Density : 2.66gm/ml

 Solubility : Soluble in water, slightly soluble in glycerol,

insoluble in acetone, alcohol, CS2

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MANUFACTURE :

Potassium sulfate can be manufacture by two processes

1. Mannheim process : Potassium sulfate can be made either by the

Mannheim process where potassium chloride is reacted with sulfuric

acid.

2. Recovery from natural complex salts :Potassium sulfate occurs

naturally as complex salts which is made from natural complex salts

like kainite or langbeinite.

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Mannheim process :
Raw materials :
Potassium chloride

Sulfuric acid

Reaction :

a. Exothermic reaction

KCl + H2SO4 KHSO4 + HCl+3.917kcal

b. Endothermic reaction

KHSO4 + KCl K2SO4 + HCl -13.8kcal

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Contd…

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Flow sheet for the production of ammonium
sulphate by Mannheim process :

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Block diagram for the production of ammonium sulphate
by Mannheim process :

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 Contd…
 Potassium chloride reacts with sulfuric acid during the slow mixing of
the ingredients in the gas heated Mannheim furnace consisting of cast
iron muffle with rotating plough which helps to agitate the mixture. The
furnace is heated by natural gas or fuel oil
 Hydrochloric acid produce during the reaction is cooled and absorbed
into water to produce 33% hydrochloric acid as a byproduct.
 The precipitated potassium sulfate fertilizer is cooled, filtered and the
lumps are crushed and granulated.
 Potassium sulfate is twice as costly as potassium chloride. Granulation
adds further to its cost. Potassium sulfate contains over 50% potassium 12
 The HCL market has had more competition and “natural” K2SO4 with
lower capital and operating costs has begun to dominate its production
in some countries with natural complex salts.

2. Recovery from natural complex salts :

 Potassium sulfate occurs naturally as complex salts which is made from
natural complex salts like kainite or langbeinite.

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 Contd…
Natural resources

The mineral form of potassium sulfate, arcanite, is relatively rare.

Natural resources of

potassium sulfate are minerals abundant in the Stassfurt salt. These are co
crystallizations of potassium sulfate and sulfates of magnesium calcium
and sodium.

The minerals of potassium sulfate are :

1.Kainite, MgSO4·KCl·H2O

2.Langbeinite, K2SO4·2MgSO4

3.Carpathian polmineral ores 14

Recovery of potassium sulphate from kainite:

 Kainite--- MgSO4·KCl·H2O

 The process in accordance with the invention is carried out in three

stages (I, II and III, respectively).
 In stage I, kainite is leached with hot water and the solution obtained is
cooled to thereby crystallize out schoenite. The mother liquor from this
stage, together with the potassium sulfate liquor obtained in stage III, is
used for the hot leaching dissolution of additional kainite in stage II.

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Flow sheet

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Contd..
 The solution, which is obtained from the stage II leaching dissolution, is
cooled stepwise (2 steps), where by potassium chloride and schoenite
are separated out.The liquor obtained in the stepwise cooling is
recycled in part for the further stage II dissolution of additional kainite.
 In stage III, the schoenite obtained by crystallization from the entire
process is converted together with the potassium chloride from stage II
to potassium sulfate and the sulfate liquor remaining after conversion is
at least in part re-utilized for the dissolution of kainite in stage II.
 Potassium content in kainite is 95% ,so more potassium sulpate can be
recoverd fromm kainite
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Block diagram:

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Potassium Sulfate Process from Langbeinite(Potassium Magnesium
Sulfate ):
 Potassium sulfate from langbeinite is produced by mixing large amounts
of muriate of potash(potassium chloride)

4KCl + K2SO4.2MgSO4 3K2SO4 + 2MgCl2

2KCl + 2(K2SO4.2MgSO4) 3(K2SO4.MgSO4) + MgCl2

 The langbeinite ore is separated from sylvite and halite by selective
washing, froth

flotation, or heavy media separation.

 The commercial langbeinite used in the process must pulverized in ball
mills, and fine powder is mixed with a solution of the muriate of potash
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Flowsheet:

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Potassium Sulfate Process from
Langbeinite:
Block diagram

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Contd…
 The muriate of potash is dissolved and clarified in a
separate unit. The reaction in the presence of water yield
potassium sulfate in a crystalline form and brine. Crystals
are centrifuged or filtered, dried in a rotary dryer, sized
and finished.
 The finished methods either produce coarse material or
granulated product.
 The mixed salts are added to the sulfate reactor the liquor
is discard as a waste.
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Potassium Sulfate Process from carpathain
ore:
 A Russian Kalush plant method of potassium sulfate production uses
potash ores as the starting material. The Carpathian ore contains about
9% potassium and 15% clay. The ore is leached with hot synthetic
kainite solution in a dissolution chamber. The langbeinite, polyhalite and
halite remain un dissolved and are discarded. The overflow from the
dissolution chamber is directed to a Dorr Oliver Module settler
 where clay is settled and directed to a washer and discarded. The slurry
of schoenite is filtered and the crystals, leached with water, to produce
potassium sulfate crystals.
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Flowsheet:

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Block diagram:
Carphathain ore
Dissolution Langbanite,polyhalite,
Hot chamber halite
kainite

settler washer

schoenite
Filtering clay
chamber

Leaching
water product
chamber
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 Importance of potassium sulfate fertilizer:
 Potassium sulfate contains about 50% potassium and about 17% sulfate. The
sulfur that is in this compound is highly soluble in water. Potassium is a very
important element that helps plants a great deal. It has so many functions in
plants.
 It strengthens the plants by helping them use nitrogen compound efficiently. It
helps the plants produce stronger stems, leaves as well as flowers.
 It also helps strengthen the immune of the plants, so that they are resistant to
drought and diseases.
 Sulfur which is soluble in water is very important because it makes the roots
even stronger and it also helps the plants use proteins.
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Uses :
 Potassium sulfate is used as fertilizer particularly in chloride sensitive
crops like tobacco, grapes and potato which require chloride free
potassium fertilizers. These three crops, being major crops, account
for about 7% of the total potash consumption. For best results,
potassium sulfate should contain at least 50 % potash by weight.
 Used as a flash reducer in artillery propellant charges.

 It reduces muzzle flash, flareback and blast overpressure

 The crude salt is also used in the manufacture of glass.

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 Major engineering
problems:
1) Mannheim process needs high production cost.

2) It needs a high temperature (> 550 o C) which means high energy

consumption.

3) Mechanical problems and some difficulties encountered due to

corrosion.

4) The Mannheim kiln is of necessity constructed from special bricks which

have high resistance to direct flame, intense heat and acid, while the
stirrer must be heat and acid proof.

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Potassium sulphate eliminates chloride
damage:

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Economics:
 Market and sales:

Fertilizer : potassium sulphate is not readily available in India,it must be

imported from the other countries like china , Germany etc. so the cost of

shipping increases.Major growth in use of potaasium fertilizer is because

of replacement of chloride ion fertilizer for chloride sensitive crops.

 Industrial chemicals : Major uses in glass manufacture, agricultural

chemicals are produced, Catalyst , Laboratory chemicals

 Animal feed : Potassium is acting as an important nutrition element for

animals. Potassium sulfate is added into animal feed as needed.

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 Handling and storage :

 The crystalline potassium sulfate is free flowing and does not normally
pose any problem in handling and storage.
 It is imported as bulk cargo and transported to NPK fertilizer mixing
plants and dealers in bulk or in bags.
 It is stored in bulk in closed storage yards.
 It should be Kept in a tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry,
ventilated area.

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Potassium sulphate production plants:

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Thank you

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