Aluminium Sulfate is a salt with the formula Al2(SO4)3. It is soluble in water and is mainly used as a coagulating agent (promoting particle collision by neutralizing charge) in the purification of drinking waterand wastewater treatment plants, and also in paper manufacturing.
The anhydrous form occurs naturally as a rare mineral millosevichite, found for example in volcanic environments and on burning coal-mining waste dumps. Aluminium sulfate is rarely, if ever, encountered as the anhydrous salt. It forms a number of different hydrates, of which the hexadecahydrate Al2(SO4)3·16H2O and octadecahydrate Al2(SO4)3·18H2O are the most common. The heptadecahydrate, whose formula can be written as [Al(H2O)6]2(SO4)3·5H2O, occurs naturally as the mineral alunogen.
Aluminium sulfate is sometimes called alum or papermaker’s alum in certain industries. However, the name “alum” is more commonly and properly used for any double sulfate salt with the generic formula XAl(SO4)2·12H2O, where X is a monovalent cation such as potassium or ammonium.
Aluminum sulfate is a widely used chemical in various industries due to its properties as a flocculant, coagulant, and pH adjuster. Here’s an overview of its applications across different sectors:
Aluminum sulfate’s versatility in water treatment, paper production, soil conditioning, and various other applications makes it an essential chemical across many industries. Its effectiveness as a coagulant and pH adjuster contributes to its widespread use in both industrial and environmental applications.
Appearance: | White/Off-White |
Odor | Odorless |
pH | Slightly Acidic |
Molecular Weight | 594.4 g/mole |
Boiling Point | NA |
Melting Point | 86 °C |
Vapor Pressure | Negligible as Soilid |
Density (20 °C) | 1700 ∓ 10 kg/m3 |
Flash Point | NA |
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