Potassium iodate (KIO3) is a source of iodine, an essential trace element, necessary for the body to make thyroid hormones. A committee of the World Health Organization endorsed the use of potassium iodate to fortify salt, since use in salt results in a lower intake of iodine to prevent iodine deficiency disorders such as goiter and mental retardation, to name a few.
In the tropical countries, like India potassium iodate is preferred because it is more stable in warm, humid conditions. Iodized salt has virtually eliminated iodine deficiency in the India United States, Canada, and several other countries.
As a sidelight, both potassium iodate and potassium iodide can also be used to prevent damage to the thyroid in the event of an accident at a nuclear reactor, although the iodide form is generally.
Potassium iodate is manufactured by the electrolytic oxidation of potassium iodide to potassium iodate. MMO coated Titanium anode acts the anode and perforated Stainless steel plate acts as the cathode. Stainless steel tank with lid acts as the electrolyser. The process broadly consists of dissolution of Iodine in potassium hydroxide solution. The oxidation of potassium hydroxide to potassium iodate by electro chemical oxidation.
The electrolyser is charged with Potassium hydroxide solution and potassium di chromate is added as addition agent.
D. C. current is passed to the cell through the Rectifier transformer. The electrolysis is continued till the Potassium iodide is gets converted into Potassium Iodate.
The solution after electrolysis is cooled to get Potassium iodate. The crude salt is further re-crystallized to get pure Potassium iodate.