Sciencemadness Discussion Board

NaCl+KNO3=NaNO2+KCl?

jvgomes - 30-1-2013 at 10:35

how to separate NaNO2+KCl?

[Edited on 30-1-2013 by jvgomes]

virgilius1979 - 30-1-2013 at 10:43

You meant NaNO3 not NO2.
I don't think this reaction is towards NaNO3 which is more soluble than KNO3, while KCl has similar solubility with NaCl. There's certainly a balance, but I guess is a bit more to the left side of the reaction.

vmelkon - 30-1-2013 at 11:48

A better way is to buy cold packs from the pharmacy or Walmart. Make sure it contains NH4NO3. Mix with NaHCO3, add a little water and distill. You can lead the NH3 vapors into water if you need ammonia solution.

The reaction is
NaHCO3 + NH4NO3 ---> NaNO3 + NH3 + H2O + CO2

The bad news is that most cold packs now have urea instead of NH4NO3.