Description of Aluminum Sulfate:
Aluminum sulfate is a water-soluble, odorless, white crystalline compound with the chemical formula Al2(SO4)3 and CAS 10043-01-3.
It has a sweet, mildly astringent taste and is insoluble in ethanol. It may burn, but it will not ignite.
Other names of Aluminum sulfate are: Aluminum Sulphate, Cake Alum, Filter Alum, Papermaker’s Alum, Alunogenite, aluminum salt.
It is soluble in water and is mainly used as a coagulating/flocculating agent in the purification of drinking water and waste water treatment plants, and also in paper manufacturing.
Aluminum Sulphate is rarely, if ever, encountered as the anhydrous salt. It forms a number of different hydrates, of which the octa decahydrate Al2(SO4)3•18H2O is one of the most common types.
Both forms are soluble in water, noncombustible, and nontoxic.
The tetra octahydrate Al2(SO4)3•14H2O (Alum) is commercially the best quality of Aluminum Sulphate in terms of effectiveness which has the average w/w ratio of Al2O3, of 17% – compared to 14% in octa decahydrate composition.
Alum is commercially available in solid (kibbled, crushed, or powder) and liquid (50% w/w solution) forms.
Application of Aluminum Sulphate:
Industrial applications include use in the manufacture and production of adhesives and sealant chemicals, non-pesticide agricultural chemicals, to adjust pH of soil, as a flocculent in wastewater treatment, as a finishing agent, and manufacture of pigments and dyes.
Uses:
Aluminum sulfate is a commonly used industrial chemical.
It is known as filter alum. The compound of aluminum, sulfur, and oxygen is often a dry crystal, powdery substance that becomes slimy when wet and is not combustible.
The solution, Al2O3, is also known as “Alum” and has been in use since ancient Egyptian times when it helped the dyeing process.
It used for multiple purposes: water purification, dying fabrics, adjusting the pH level, particularly basic soil, manufacturing of paper, medical uses, Leather Tanning, Fire extinguishers, food industry, cosmetics industry, etc.
Cosmetics industry:
It causes a tightening or tingling sensation of the skin. It also draws together or constricts body tissues which are effective in stopping the flow of blood.
Aluminum Sulphate can also decrease or remove unpleasant odors and protect against the formation of such odors on the skin.
So it has been used in deodorants.
Aluminum Sulfate uses in water treatment:
It is best known for this quality. Municipal water suppliers, such as your local water utility company, make use of alum to purify water for human consumption.
In addition, process water (non-drinking water) may also be treated with this chemical for purification when bacteria/sediment would cause an adverse effect.
When it is added to water, Aluminum Sulphate causes microscopic impurities to clump together into larger and larger particles.
These clumps then settle to the bottom of the container and can be filtered out. This makes the water safer to drink. On the same principle, alum is .also sometimes used in swimming pools to decrease water cloudiness.
Aluminum Sulfate Usage in Food Industry:
Alum is used for multiple purposes in the food we eat and is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice. It is soluble in water and. as a result, is mainly used as a thickener and emulsifier.
Environmental Risks:
Environmental spills of aluminum sulfate should be cleaned immediately. In its crystal or powdered state, it can easily be removed and contained.
Spillages on soil will be difficult to clean and guarantee complete removal.
Due to its acidity, aluminum sulfate significantly contaminates and pollutes areas for wild life and vegetation. As with humans, when it is mixed with water, aluminum sulfate will burn plants and animals.
The many applications of Aluminum sulphate make it essential that users have an understanding of the dangers involved in its use and handling.
Aluminum Sulfate Packing:
Our Aluminum Sulphate, packed in 25 and 50KG PP bags for preventing to absorb moisture.
According to our customers inquiry, Aluminum Sulphate also offered in Jumbo bag or putting PP bags on a pallet and shrinking.
Specification of Aluminum Sulphate:
| Chemical formula | Al2(SO4)3 |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 342.15 g/mol (anhydrous) 666.44 g/mol (octadecahydrate) |
| Appearance | White crystalline solid Hygroscopic |
| Density | 2.672 g/cm3 (anhydrous) 1.62 g/cm3 (octadecahydrate) |
| Melting point | 770 °C (1,420 °F; 1,040 K) (decomposes, anhydrous) 86.5 °C (octadecahydrate) |
| Solubility in water | 31.2 g/100 mL (0 °C) 36.4 g/100 mL (20 °C) 89.0 g/100 mL (100 °C) |
| Solubility | slightly soluble in alcohol, dilute mineral acids |
| Acidity (pKa) | 3.3-3.6 |
| Magnetic susceptibility | -93.0·10−6 cm3/mol |
| Refractive index | 1.47 |
| Thermodynamic data | Phase behaviour: solid–liquid–gas |
