carnallite

[ kahr-nl-ahyt ]

noun

, Mineralogy.

1. a white hydrous chloride of potassium and magnesium, KMgCl 3 ⋅6H 2 O, used chiefly as a source of potassium and magnesium.

carnallite

/ ˈkɑːnəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a white or sometimes coloured mineral consisting of a hydrated chloride of potassium and magnesium in orthorhombic crystalline form: a source of potassium and also used as a fertilizer. Formula: KCl.MgCl 2 .6H 2 O

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnallite¹

1875–85; named after R. von Carnall (1804–74), German mining official; -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnallite¹

C19: named after Rudolf von Carnall (1804–74), German mining engineer; see -ite ¹

Example Sentences

It is also formed as a by-product in the manufacture of potassium chloride from carnallite.

From Project Gutenberg

It is obtained as a by-product in the manufacture of potassium chloride from carnallite.

From Project Gutenberg

It is prepared from carnallite by saturating boiling water with the mineral and allowing the solution to cool.

From Project Gutenberg

Carnallite contains nearly a fourth of its weight of potassium chloride.

From Project Gutenberg

This maximum point corresponds with the fact that dry carnallite melts at this temperature with separation of potassium chloride.

From Project Gutenberg