OK to add salt WAY before installing SWG?

[alexnco]

OK, it seemed like this thread was winding down ... how about adding Potassium Chloride Pellets, instead of Sodium Chloride? Morton's, for instance, states at http://www.mortonsalt.com/consumer/p...pc_pellets.htm
that:

"Morton® Potassium Chloride Pellets soften your water while adding potassium to it. Morton® Potassium Chloride Pellets are 99% sodium-free, therefore reducing sodium levels in your softened water and reducing chlorides discharged into the environment. This product also provides the essential plant nutrient potassium to the ecosystem. 40-lb. Morton® Potassium Chloride Pellets come in a convenient, easy-open bag."

I don't remember my chemistry well enough, but wasn't the potential required to separate NaCl about the same as that for KCl? Of course in our case, we're speaking of ions in solution, not separating the elements from solid crystal compounds (lattice energies).
So, since I'm not up on poolwater chemistry either: How would K and Cl ions react in a SWG? Would the voltage differential on SWGs be sufficient to form HCl? Would KCl work a bit better, if maybe not as cheaply, as a substitute for those who want to add "salt" to a pool for comfort? Would KCl, like NaCl, not change pool chemistries?
Lastly, Morton states that KCl (when used in a water softener) doesn't discharge chlorides into the environment... any takers? hmmm?

Thanks!!
Alex in Oklahoma

[Poolsean]

Potassium chloride have been successfully used with salt chlorine generators. However, it is not cheaper and there are no benefits. You end up needing more KCl than NaCl (although I'm not sure how much more). The reaction in the salt generator will be the same.
As for it not discharging chlorides into the environment... most of the time Salt, Sodium Chloride, is interchangable with "chlorides". If this is what they mean, then that is correct. If they're talking about chlorides as in potassium CHLORIDE, then it is not correct. When you backwash your sand or DE filter, there will be chlorides being "discharged into the environment".