Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is a strong base with various industrial and commercial applications, including:
- Chemical Manufacturing: It serves as a precursor in the synthesis of numerous organic and inorganic compounds, mainly in the manufacture of potassium salts.
- Soap and Detergent Production: It is used in the saponification process for producing liquid soaps and detergents.
- Food Processing: It is used in the food industry for various applications, including pH adjustment, peeling of fruits and vegetables, and cocoa processing. It is also used in the production of soft drinks, beer, and other food products.
- Pharmaceuticals: It is used for the synthesis of certain drugs and pharmaceutical intermediates.
- Electrolyte in Batteries: It is used as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries, including nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and zinc-carbon batteries.
- Chemical Analysis: It is used in analytical chemistry for titration and pH adjustment in laboratory experiments.
- Textile Processing: It is used in textile processing for mercerizing cotton fibers to improve their strength, luster, and dye affinity.
- Water Treatment: It is used in water treatment processes for pH adjustment, alkalinity control, and metal precipitation. It is also employed in wastewater treatment to neutralize acidic effluents and remove heavy metals.
- Cleaning and Degreasing:It is commonly used in industrial cleaning applications and household cleaning products.