Title of Process/ Know-how/ Product/Design/Equipment
Process for production of potassium nitrate from sea bittern, through selective K-precipitation technique
Application/Uses/Problem being addressed
Production of potassic chemicals and fertilizers, viz. potassium nitrate, potassium sulphate, mono potassium phosphate, potassium ammonium sulphate, potassium ammonium phosphate etc. by recovering potassium from sea bittern
Salient Technical Features including Competing Features/ Impact
Recovery of potassium directly from sea bittern, without requiring production of mixed salt
Can be applied to other potassic feed-stocks, viz., biomass ash/char, seaweed sap etc.
Efficient K-recovery (ca. 75%).
Safe and environmentally benign process
TRL Level & Scale of Development:
Know-how licensed & practiced commercially
Business scope & opportunity (in terms of scale, cost, market etc.):
Potential client base:
Major sea salt producers in India & abroad
Environmental Considerations:
Effluent contains <50 ppm of tartaric acid. May be discharged following protocols related to marine chemicals.
Status of Licensing:
Licensed technologyThe technology has been licensed to M/s Laxmi Industries, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
Status of Commercialization:
CommercializedClient produces potassium nitrate commercially
Major Raw Materials Needed
Sea bittern, lime, magnesia, nitric acid, sulphuric acid etc.
Major Plant Equipment and Machinery Required
Generic equipment required in chemical plant, viz., reactors, settlers, filter press, dryers etc.
Techno-Economics
Broadly, for a 1 tpd plant, ₹1-1.5 crore would be the initial investment towards plant and machinery with a payback period of < 3 years.
Technology Package
Know-how transfer document would be made available on specific request.
