Overview
Potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) is an inorganic compound with diverse industrial and commercial applications. It is a mild alkaline salt derived from the reaction of potassium hydroxide with carbon dioxide. As a food additive (E501), it serves as a leavening agent and pH regulator. Its non-toxic nature and buffering capacity make it valuable in pharmaceuticals and agriculture. In agriculture, potassium bicarbonate is widely used as an organic fungicide, particularly for controlling powdery mildew. Its fire-suppressing properties also make it a key component in dry chemical fire extinguishers (Class K). The compound is produced synthetically but can also occur naturally as the rare mineral kalicinite.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Potassium bicarbonate appears as odorless white crystals or powder with a slightly salty taste. It has a monoclinic crystal structure and exhibits good water solubility (33.7 g/100 mL at 20°C), though it is practically insoluble in alcohol. The compound decomposes at relatively low temperatures (100-120°C) to form potassium carbonate (K2CO3), water, and carbon dioxide. Its aqueous solution is weakly alkaline (pH ~8.6 for 0.1M solution), making it an effective buffer. Unlike sodium bicarbonate, KHCO3 doesn't exhibit the same leavening reactivity unless combined with acidic components. The compound is stable under normal conditions but should be protected from moisture to prevent caking.
Main Applications
In food processing, potassium bicarbonate serves as a leavening agent in baked goods (often combined with acids), a pH regulator in beverages, and an anti-caking agent. The pharmaceutical industry utilizes it as an antacid and potassium supplement in medicinal formulations. Its buffering capacity makes it valuable in dialysis solutions and intravenous preparations. Agriculture accounts for significant consumption, where it functions as an effective fungicide (especially against powdery mildew) and provides potassium nutrition. Industrial uses include fire suppression systems (particularly for grease fires), textile dyeing auxiliary, and rubber manufacturing. Recent environmental applications include flue gas desulfurization processes.
Safety and Storage
Potassium bicarbonate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for food use and has low toxicity (LD50 >2000 mg/kg in rats). However, dust inhalation should be avoided as it may cause respiratory irritation. Eye contact may result in temporary discomfort, requiring flushing with water. Proper storage involves keeping containers tightly sealed in cool (below 30°C), dry conditions with adequate ventilation. The material is incompatible with strong acids, from which it will liberate carbon dioxide gas. Bulk storage areas should have non-reactive flooring and protection against moisture absorption. Shelf life typically exceeds 2 years when stored correctly.
B2B Procurement Guide
Industrial buyers should specify required purity levels - technical grade (≥98%) for most applications versus food/pharma grade (≥99.5%) for sensitive uses. Packaging options include 25 kg multi-wall paper bags, 500 kg bulk bags, or customized containers for large-volume orders. Key supplier qualifications include ISO certification, batch-wise COA (Certificate of Analysis), and compliance with relevant standards (USP, FCC, or BP for regulated industries). Price fluctuations often correlate with potassium chloride feedstock costs. For agricultural applications, verify OMRI listing if organic certification is required. Consider regional suppliers to minimize transportation costs for this high-bulk-density material.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：低酰基、海藻糖、高酰基、乳化剂、防腐剂、添加剂、增稠剂、甜味剂、酒石酸、酪蛋白、氨基酸、生物素、纤维素、苹果酸、水果酸、木糖醇、维生素c、维生素d3、维生素b5、维生素b7、维生素k1、粉化妆品、胶化淀粉、谷氨酰胺、饮料烘焙
- 主营：面筋粉、木糖醇、烤面筋、甜味剂、增劲剂、保鲜剂、增稠剂、稳定剂、维生素c、魔芋豆腐、低聚木糖、瓜尔豆胶、多糖烘焙、面制品增、食用明胶、亚麻籽胶、可得然胶、低脂果胶、改良香精、海藻酸钾、饮料乳品、活性肽粉、结晶果糖、固体饮料、海藻酸钙
- 主营：多聚甲醛、环己胺、正硅酸乙酯28 40、正十二烷、异丙醇、无水乙醇、铬酸酐、亚氯酸钠、二甲基甲酰胺、硫酸羟胺、戊二酸二甲酯、邻苯二甲酸二乙酯、二甲苯、二氯甲烷、环己烷、四氯乙烯、环己酮、环氧氯丙烷、甲醇、甲酸、乙腈、苯酚、乙二醇乙醚醋酸酯、醋酸丁酯
- 主营：威兰胶、古尔胶、L-精氨酸、瓜尔胶、L-抗坏血酸、瓜尔豆胶、甘氨酸、半胱氨酸、维生素C/vc、核黄素(维生素B2)、胍基乙酸、牛磺酸、L-蛋氨酸、L-半胱氨酸、L-半胱氨酸盐酸盐、工业级VC、L-谷氨酰胺、L-苯丙氨酸、DL-蛋氨酸、L-丙氨酸、酪蛋白酸钠、酪蛋白/干酪素、海藻酸钠/海藻酸钠、硒代蛋氨酸、烟酸/烟酰胺
- 主营：防冻液、冰醋酸、乙二醇、冰乙酸、纯吡啶、丙二醇、羟基苯、14丁二醇、3-丙三醇、四氢呋喃、环保乙腈、化工苯酚、1.4丁二醇、医用苯酚、工业苯酚、精制苯酚、价位四氢、乙腈工业、乙酸乙酯、吡啶化工、甲酸乙酯、吡啶工业、求购苯酚、高纯三氯、实验乙腈
- 主营：洗涤碱、纯碱、工业纯碱、融雪剂、洗涤剂、碳酸钠、洗涤助剂、印染软水剂、水质稳定剂、碱性调节剂、处理除污剂、印染纺织助剂、小苏打、化工原料、高含量葡萄糖、重质纯碱、高纯度粉末、无水醋酸钠、工业醋酸钠、工业级纯碱、食品级纯碱、葡萄糖酸钠、工业葡萄糖、三水醋酸钠、洗涤玻璃水
- 主营：尿素溶液、次氯酸钠、食用葡萄糖、防霉食品添加剂、工业碳酸钠、纸浆漂白剂、聚丙烯酰胺、五水偏硅酸钠、工业级硫酸铜、盐酸、氯化氢水溶液、工业级氢氧化钙、消石灰、漂白粉
- 主营：硫酸亚铁、聚丙烯酰胺、聚合氯化铝、消泡剂、石灰、活性炭、纯碱、片碱、次氯酸钠、漂白粉、醋酸钠、硫酸铝、焦亚硫酸钠、水玻璃、柠檬酸、葡萄糖
- 主营：三甘醇、五氧化二钒、纯牛骨蛋白胨、粘土固化剂、碳酸钡、氟化氢钾、牛油脂肪酸、氯偏乳液、苄基胂酸、漂粉精、苯甲醇、草酸镍、磷酸、六氟磷酸钾、次氯酸钙、钯碳、草酸钛钾、福美钠、戊二醛、硝酸异辛酯、二甲基二硫代氨基甲酸、四氧化三铅、氯化锌、松醇油、磺化油
- 主营：羧甲基淀粉、黄原胶、瓜尔胶、农林保水剂、抑尘剂、型煤粘合剂、抑尘固化剂、抗旱保水剂、聚丙烯酰胺、羧甲基纤维素、预糊化淀粉、吸水树脂、聚阴离子纤维素、SAP吸水树脂、改性玉米粉、饲料用预糊化淀粉、羧甲基变性淀粉、阴离子聚丙烯酰胺、陶瓷用纤维素
- 主营：聚合硫酸铁、醋酸钠、聚丙烯酰胺、除磷剂、除氟剂、阻垢剂、反渗透清洗剂、非氧化杀菌剂、氨氮去除剂、杀菌剂、絮凝剂、还原剂、聚合氯化铝、复合碳源、工业纯碱、悬浮球填料、乙酸钠、葡萄糖、工业级葡萄糖、十二烷基硫酸钠、乙二醇、活性炭、石英砂、无烟煤滤料
- 主营：福美钠、五氧化二钒、氨基磺酸、氟化氢钾、氨基化锂、焦性没食子酸、次氯酸钙、漂粉精、酪蛋白胨、甘油、九水硫化钠、牛油脂肪酸、酵母膏、氟硅酸钠、单乙醇胺、氢氧化钾、氟化钠、氟化钙、氧化铅、油酸钠、偏钒酸铵、氢氧化钡、EVA乳液、二硫化钼
- 主营：封口蜡、水杨酸、正辛烷、碳酸镁、清洗剂、助染剂、肉桂醇、珠光片、肉桂醛、建筑料、磷酸铝、肉桂酸、戊二醛、切削液、叔丁醇、硫化钠、硫化钡、升硫醚、硫化钙、杀菌液、氯化锌、黄原胶、椰子油、氯化锰、氧化锑
- 主营：水性上光油、双丙酮DAAM、二酰阱ADH、乳化剂、消泡剂、润湿剂、分散剂、除臭剂、表面活性剂、杀菌剂、硅烷偶联剂、防腐剂、流平剂、引发剂、成膜助剂、OT75润湿剂、吊白块、雕白粉、水性增粘乳液
- 主营：次氯酸钙、福美钠、蛋白胨、防酶剂、表面活性剂、氟化氢钾、氟化钠、氟化钾、浮选油
- 主营：偏钒酸钠、还原铁粉、次磷酸钠、催化剂、金属有机物、二水氯化铜、对二氯苄、次磷酸、黄血盐钾、黄血盐钠、氟化钾、氟化钠、红丹粉、黄丹粉、硫氰酸钠、硫氰酸钾、乙二胺四乙酸二钾
- 主营：水性高光泽上光油、水性高耐磨上光油、水性预印光油、表面活性剂、后处理助剂、饮料箱专用上光油、扑克牌专用上光油、增粘乳液