Potassium Carbonate

Pearlash has been used for soap, glass, and china production. In the laboratory, it may be used as a mild drying agent where other drying agents such as calcium chloride may be incompatible. However, it is not suitable for acidic compounds. Mixed with water it causes an exothermic reaction that results in a temperature change, producing heat. In cuisine, it is used as an ingredient in the production of grass jelly, a food consumed in Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisines. Potassium carbonate is being used as the electrolyte in many cold fusion experiments. Potassium carbonate is sometimes used as a buffering agent in the production of mead or wine. Aqueous potassium carbonate is also used as a fire suppressant in extinguishing deep fat fryers and various other B class related fires