either of two potassium salts of carbonic acid: a)the deliquescent crystalline normal salt K2CO3 that gives a strongly alkaline reaction in aqueous solution; that was obtained orig. from wood ashes but is now made usu. from potassium chloride and that is sued chiefly in making hard glass, soft soap. b) potassium bicarbonate or potassium acid carbonate - a crystalline salt KHCO3 that gives a weakly alkaline reaction in aqueous solution and that is made nby passing carbon dioxide into a solution of potassium carbonate, K2CO3, vees hästi lahustuv värvuseta hügroskoopne pulber. Toatemperatuuril kristalliseerub vesilahusest hüdraadina. Looduses leidub kaaliumkarbonaati soolajärvede vees, tööstuses saadakse teda peamiselt kaaliumhüdroksiidi süsinikdioksiidiga töödeldes. Kaalimkarbonaati tarvitatakse optilise klaasi ja vedela seebi valmistamiseks.