Sub-Product

Main Product: Sodium Chloride
Segment: Chemicals
Main-Family: Inorganics
Sub-Family: Inorganic Chlorine Compounds
Physical State: Solid

Sub-Product

Rock Salt

Abbreviation

NaCl

Alt. Names

Halite

Description

Rock salt, also known as halite, is a type of salt that is mined from underground deposits or formed from the remnants of ancient bodies of water. Unlike table salt and kosher salt, which are refined and processed to remove impurities, rock salt retains its natural impurities and minerals^[1].

Characteristics

Cube-shaped crystalline form
Non-edible, unless specifically labeled as food-grade
Lower purity than refined salts, with additional minerals and impurities
Used for various purposes, including:
- Making ice cream (in a double bowl setup or with electric ice cream makers)
- Keeping coolers cold
- De-icing roads and sidewalks
- Water softening
- Brining and seasoning (food-grade only)^[1]

Key Points

Rock salt is not intended for human consumption, unless explicitly labeled as food-grade
Food-grade rock salt can be used as a seasoning and for making brines
Non-food-grade rock salt is often used for industrial purposes, such as de-icing and water softening
Rock salt can be stored indefinitely as long as it remains dry^[1]

Sodium Chloride used in Brine Electrolysis

The following table shows the typical compositions of sodium chloride used in chlor-alkali electrolysis^[2]:

Component	Salt Source
Component	Rock Salt	Washed Solar Salt	Vacuum Salt
NaCl	93-99%	99%	99.95%
SO₄^2-	0.2-1%	0.2%	0.04%
Ca²⁺	0.05-0.4%	0.04%	0.0012%
Mg²⁺	0.01-0.1%	0.01%	0.001%