Potassium Formate (For Carbon Black) in Madhya-Pradesh
Potassium Formate (Carbon Black Grade) is a specialized structural inhibitor used in the furnace black process to control the Oil Absorption Number (OAN). In Madhya Pradesh’s dominant automotive manufacturing hub (Pithampur), this grade is essential for producing high-quality carbon black used in precision rubber seals, gaskets, and heavy-duty tires. It ensures uniform particle structure and ultra-low ash content, providing high-durability components for the leading commercial and passenger vehicle manufacturers located in the state.
Role in Carbon Black Production
Carbon black is produced by the incomplete combustion or thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons. During manufacturing, additives like potassium formate improve reaction efficiency, enhance product quality, and provide process stability.
In carbon black production, especially in specialty carbon blacks and high-quality carbon blacks, structural inhibitors play a pivotal role. Before the 1990s, sodium hydroxide was generally used as a structural inhibitor; with the development of special carbon black, it was gradually replaced by potassium carbonate; however, due to the low solubility of potassium carbonate, it is easy to layer after dissolution (the upper and lower concentrations in the solution tank Non-uniformity), which leads to easy clogging of the nozzle and unstable quality of carbon black. Since 2004, we have cooperated with a multinational carbon black company in the United States to replace potassium carbonate with potassium formate for experimental production of carbon black.
The effect is very good. Through nearly ten years of promotion, potassium formate has become the mainstream of structural inhibitors in carbon black production. At the same time, the ash content in carbon black production is also a very important indicator. Therefore, in order to ensure that the ash content in carbon black meets the standard, certain requirements are also set for the toxic and harmful substances in potassium formate.
At present, the quality standards accepted by most carbon black manufacturers are as follows:
| Specification and model index name | Solid (Ⅰ) | Liquid (Ⅱ) | Liquid (Ⅲ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Pure white crystal | Colorless and transparent | Colorless and transparent |
| Assay of potassium formate content | 97% MIN/td | 75% MIN | 65% MIN |
| Potassium chloride content (as chlorine) Chloride content | 0.01% MAX | 0.01% MAX | 0.01% MAX |
| Potassium carbonate content (calculated as carbonate) CO 3 2- content | 0.5% MAX | 0.5% MAX | 0.5% MAX |
| Potassium hydroxide content (calculated as hydroxide radical) OH - content | 0.5% MAX | 0.2% MAX | 0.2% MAX |
| PH value (25℃) PH value | 9-11 (10% Solution) | 9-11 | 9-11 |
| Specific gravity (20℃) Density SG | --- | 1.57 | 1.47 |
| Total Iron content | 10ppm max | 10ppm max | 10ppm max |
| Calcium content | 10ppm max | 10ppm max | 10ppm max |
| Magnesium content | 10ppm max | 10ppm max | 10ppm max |
| Turbidity (25℃; NTU) Turbidity | --- | 10NTU | 10NTU |
| Sodium content | 0.3% MAX | 0.3% MAX | 0.3% MAX |
| Sodium content | 1ppm max | 1ppm max | 1ppm max |
