ALUMINIUM SULFATE

Aluminium Sulfate is used primary agent for coagulation and phosphorus removal.
Aluminium Sulfate is used in sizing (with rosin), filling, and pH regulation.
Aluminium Sulfate is used accelerant and waterproofing in concrete mixes.

CAS Number: 10043-01-3 
7784-31-8 (octadecahydrate) 
EC Number: 233-135-0
E number: E520 (acidity regulators, ...)
Molecular Formula: Al2(SO4)3 / Al2S3O12 / Al2O12S3
Molar mass: 342.15 g/mol (anhydrous)
666.44 g/mol (octadecahydrate)

SYNONYMS:
Aluminium sulfate, Aluminum sulfate, Aluminium sulphate, Cake alum, Filter alum, Papermaker's alum, Alunogenite, aluminium salt (3:2), Aluminium sulphate, Aluminum alum, Dialuminum sulfate, dialuminum trisulfate, ALUMINUM SULFATE, Dialuminum trisulfate, Dialuminum sulfate, Aluminum sulfate anhydrous, Aluminum alum, Filter Alum, Pickle Alum, Aluminum sesquisulfate, Papermaker's Alum, Aluminum sulfate (2:3), Pearl Alum, Aluminum trisulfate, Dialuminum sulphate, Aluminum(III) silfate, Hi Soft C 2, Caswell No. 031A, Tai-Ace S 100, Aluminum sulfate (3:2), CCRIS 9170, HSDB 5067, Aluminum sulfate (Al2(SO4)3), Sulfatodialuminum disulfate (Al2(SO4)3), Aluminum sulphate anhydrous, EINECS 233-135-0, NSC 54563, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 013906, UNII-I7T908772F, ALUM CAKE, Sulfuric acid, aluminum(3+) salt (3:2), I7T908772F, INS NO.520, DTXSID2040317, INS-520, EC 233-135-0, SULFURIC ACID, ALUMINIUM SALT, NSC-54563, Sulfuric acid aluminum(3+) salt (3:2), E-520, ALUMINUM SULFATE ANHYDROUS (II), ALUMINUM SULFATE ANHYDROUS [II], DTXCID0020317, DTXCID4093275, ALUMINII SULFAS, ANHYDROUS, DTXSID70170784, ALUMINIUM SULFATE, ANHYDROUS, USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 013906, alminum sulfate hydrate, aluminii sulfas, aluminii sulfas, hydrate, aluminium sulfate (2:3) tetradeca-octadecahydrate, aluminium sulfate (ep monograph), aluminium sulfate, hydrate, aluminum sulfate (usp impurity), aluminum sulfate (usp monograph), aluminum sulphate, cake alum, not less than 54% and not more than 59% al2(so4), nsc54563, sulfuric acid, aluminium salt (3:2), hydrate, unii-34s289n54e, 10043-01-3, Sulfuric acid, aluminum salt (3:2), Aluminium sulphate, aluminum(III) sulfate, Sulfuric acid, aluminum salt, aluminium sulfate anhydrous, Aluminum sulfate, anhydrous, aluminium sulfate (anhydrous), MFCD00003423, Cake alum (VAN), Aluminum alum (VAN), Nalco 7530, Tai-Ace S 150, dialuminum;trisulfate, EINECS 233-329-5, Stingose (TN), Sulfuric acid, aluminum salt (1:?), aluminum(III)sulfate, dialuminium trisulfate, FERTOSAN, sulfuric acid, aluminium salt (3:2), aluminium sesquisulfate, aluminium(III) sulfate, aluminium sulfate (anh.), sulfatodialuminum disulfate, aluminium sulfate (2:3), sulfatodialuminium disulfate, Sulfuric acid,aluminum salt, ALUMINUM SULFATE [MI], Al2(SO4)3, CHEMBL3833402, CHEBI:74768, ALUMINIUM SULFATE [WHO-DD], EINECS 259-881-7, Sulfuric acid, aluminum salt, basic, AKOS015903882, DB11239, ALUMINUM SULFATE ANHYDROUS [HSDB], SY115573, NS00100748, ALUMINIUM SULFATE, ANHYDROUS [WHO-IP], D07565, ALUMINII SULFAS, ANHYDROUS [WHO-IP LATIN], Sulfuric acid,aluminumsalt(3:2),hydrate(2:11)(8ci,9ci), Aluminum Sulfate, Ammonium sulfate, Cake screed, screed, Dialuminum trisulfate, Aluminum alum, Cake alum, Filter Alum, Dialuminum trisulfate, Sulfuric acid aluminum salt, Alum, Aluminum(III) sulfate, ALUM, LIQUID ALUM, Aluminum sulfate, Aluminum sulphate, Aluminium Sulfate, ALUMINIUM SULFATE, Aluminium Sulphate, ALUMINIUM SULPHATE, sulfuricacid,aluminumsalt, ALUMINIUM SULFATE, DEHYDRATE, Aluminium Sulfate, Dehydrate, Aluminium sulfate,non-ferrous, Aluminium sulfate, Aluminum sulfate, Aluminium sulphate, Aluminium trisulfate, Dialuminium sulfate, Dialuminium trisulfate, Alum, Papermaker's alum, Filter alum, Pearl alum

Aluminium sulfate (alum) is a general-purpose coagulant that is used in water treatment to remove turbidity, natural organic matter (NOM) (including colour), microorganisms and many inorganic chemicals.
Removal of NOM reduces the formation of disinfection by-products, because it removes the organic precursors of the by-products.

For use in water treatment, aluminium sulfate (alum) is generally supplied as a bulk liquid, but it can also be supplied in granular form.
The concentration of the supplied liquid solution varies, and users should establish the concentration with the supplier.
Typically, Aluminium Sulfate solutions contain 7.5–8.4% Al₂O₃ w/w (i.e. 43–50% w/w Al₂(SO₄)₃·14H₂O), and have a specific gravity of 1.28–1.34 at 20°C.

Solutions at the upper end of the available strengths may become unstable at low temperatures.
Aluminium Sulfate is also available as a crystalline solid with varying degrees of hydration (14–18 H₂O).
Aluminium Sulfate has a pH of 1.2–3.0 and can be stored in rubber-lined containers or in fibreglass, stainless steel (type 316) or plastic.

Al₂(SO₄)₃ is a chemical compound with the chemical name Aluminium Sulfate.
Aluminium Sulfate is also called Filter Alum or Dialuminum trisulphate.
Aluminium Sulfate is a white crystalline solid in its anhydrous form and in its solution form it appears as a colourless liquid.

Both the forms are non-toxic and non-combustible.
Aluminium Sulfate is soluble in water but insoluble in ethanol.
Aluminium Sulfate is odourless and has a mildly astringent taste, sweet taste.

On decomposing, Aluminium Sulfate emits toxic fumes of sulphur oxides.
The solution of Aluminium Sulfate is corrosive to aluminium.
Aluminium Sulfate is produced in the laboratory by adding aluminium hydroxide to sulphuric acid.

Aluminium Sulfate is an inorganic sulfate salt containing sulfuric acid and aluminum component compounds.
Aluminium Sulfate belongs to the family of Post-transition Metal Sulfates.
These are inorganic compounds in which the largest oxoanion is sulfate, and in which the heaviest atom not in an oxoanion is a post-transitional metal.

Aluminium sulfate (anhydrous) is an aluminium sulfate that contains no water of crystallisation.
Aluminum (Al), also spelled aluminum, is a chemical element, a lightweight, silvery-white metal of main Group 13 (IIIa, or boron group) of the periodic table.

Aluminium Sulfate is a chemical agent used in water purification, the pH regulation of garden soil, and other commercial or industrial applications.
Medically, Aluminium Sulfate is primarily used as a coagulating agent in minor cuts and abrasions as well as deodorant.

Aluminum (Al) is ubiquitous and represents the third most common element in the Earth’s crust.
It most commonly exists in a combined state with various other elements.
Al is found in materials used in the pharmaceutical industry, and in manufactured foodstuffs, cosmetics, and tap water.

Aluminium Sulfate Anhydrous is an aluminum salt with immune adjuvant activity.
This agent adsorbs and precipitates protein antigens in solution.
The resulting precipitate improves vaccine immunogenicity by facilitating the slow release of antigen from the vaccine depot formed at the site of inoculation.

Aluminium Sulfate is an aluminum salt of sulfuric acid, an industrial chemical used in many industrial applications.
Aluminium Sulfate is a small molecule drug with a maximum clinical trial phase of IV.
Aluminium sulfate is a salt with the formula Al₂(SO₄)₃.

Aluminium Sulfate is soluble in water and is mainly used as a coagulating agent (promoting particle collision by neutralizing charge) in the purification of drinking water and 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.
Aluminium Sulfate 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.

USES and APPLICATIONS of ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
Water & wastewater treatment: Aluminium Sulfate is used primary agent for coagulation and phosphorus removal.
Paper industry: Aluminium Sulfate is used in sizing (with rosin), filling, and pH regulation.
Textile dyeing: Aluminium Sulfate acts as mordant to fix dyes.

Construction: Aluminium Sulfate is used accelerant and waterproofing in concrete mixes.
Fire-fighting foam: Aluminium Sulfate reacts with bicarbonate to generate foam-forming CO₂.
Cosmetics & personal care: Styptic, deodorant, and astringent (e.g. shaving alum blocks).

Food industry: E number E520, firming agent; FDA-recognized "generally safe".
Leather tanning: Aluminium Sulfate assists in hide processing.
Molluscicide: Aluminium Sulfate controls slugs and snails.

Aluminium Sulfate is used in baking soda.
Aluminium Sulfate is used for gardening to balance the soil pH.
Aluminium Sulfate is used in the purification of water.

Aluminium Sulfate is used in the dyeing of cloth.
Aluminium Sulfate is used in making paper.
Aluminium Sulfate is used for the printing on cloth.

Aluminium Sulfate is used in concrete as an accelerator and waterproofing agent.
Aluminium Sulfate is used in firefighting foam.
Aluminium Sulfate is used in sewage treatment.

Aluminium Sulfate is used as the fireproofing agent.
Water Treatment: Aluminium Sulfate is used as a coagulant to remove impurities from water.
Paper Manufacturing: Aluminium Sulfate helps in sizing paper to improve its quality.

Textile Industry: Aluminium Sulfate is used as a mordant in dyeing and printing textiles.
Gardening: Aluminium Sulfate lowers soil pH and helps in the growth of acid-loving plants.
Cosmetics: Aluminium Sulfate is used in deodorants and antiperspirants.

Aluminium Sulfate is used for papermaking, water purification, and used as mordant, tanning agent, pharmaceutical astringent, wood preservative, foam extinguishing agent.
Aluminium Sulfate is widely used in pH regulators, laboratory chemicals, water treatment products, water treatment chemicals, fertilizers, cosmetics and personal care products, and washing and cleaning products.

Aluminium Sulfate is used in machine washing liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints, coatings, adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners.
Aluminium sulfate causes a stretching or tingling sensation in the skin.

Aluminium Sulfate is used paper chemicals and dyes, textile processing products and dyes, leather processing products, reproduction of printed and recorded media, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, mining, municipal supply (e.g. electricity, steam, gas, water) and sewage treatment, construction and construction used in their work.

Primarily known as cake alum or the papermaker’s alum, Aluminium Sulfate is a flocculent chemical.
Aluminium Sulfate is more or less similar to ferric sulphate.
However, one of the major things that makes Aluminium Sulfate different is that it can work pretty well for lake treatments, municipal wastewater treatment, and even some restoration work.

Aluminium Sulfate can further be used for making the water pretty safe to drink.
In cosmetics, aluminium sulfate can be used in make-up, neck and facial care products, personal care products, as a deodorant, as an astringent or as an antiseptic for superficial shaving wounds.

Aluminium Sulfate also astringes or contracts body tissues, which effectively stops the flow of blood or other secretions.
Aluminium sulfate can also reduce or eliminate unpleasant odors and prevent the formation of such odors in the skin.
In the textile industry, when dissolved in large quantities of neutral or slightly alkaline water, Aluminium Sulfate produces a precipitate of the gelatinous aluminium hydroxide Al(OH)₃.

When dyeing and printing on fabric, the gelatine precipitate helps the dye to adhere to the fibers of the garment, making the pigment insoluble.
With Aluminium Sulfate, the suspended impurities are concentrated into larger particles and are more easily deposited at the bottom of the container (or filtered out).

This process is called coagulation or flocculation.
In purification of drinking water, Aluminium Sulfate acts as a flocculating agent which causes impurities to coagulate and sediment, so that they are easily removed by filtration.

Aluminium Sulfate is also used as a mordant in textile dyeing and paper manufacture.
Aluminium sulfate is used in foods as a firming agent.

Aluminium sulfate, written as Al₂(SO₄)₃ or Al₂O₁₂S₃, is an industrial chemical used as a flocculating agent in the purification of drinking water and waste water treatment plants, and also in paper manufacturing.

In the construction industry, Aluminium Sulfate is used as waterproofing agent and accelerator in concrete.
Another use of Aluminium Sulfate is a foaming agent in fire fighting foam.
Aluminium Sulfate is mainly used as a coagulant for clarification of natural waters for industry and human consumption, wastewater treatment, and in the paper industry.

Granular Aluminium Sulfate and its solution are non-flammable, non-explosive and have weak acidic properties.
In horticulture, aluminium sulfate is sometimes used to lower the pH of horticultural soils as it hydrolyses to form a precipitate of aluminium hydroxide and a dilute sulfuric acid solution.

For example, a gardener can add aluminium sulfate to the soil to lower the pH, which in turn will cause hydrangea flowers to change to a different color (blue).
Aluminium turns flowers blue; at higher pH levels, aluminium becomes unavailable to the plant.

Aluminium Sulfate can also be very effective as a molluscicide against Spanish slugs in gardens and vegetable gardens.
In the construction industry, Aluminium Sulfate is used as a waterproofing agent and curing accelerator in concrete.
Another use of Aluminium Sulfate is as a foaming agent in foam extinguishing, i.e. as an anti-foaming agent.

In animal husbandry, Aluminium Sulfate is used in animal feed as a bactericide to prevent spoilage and keep feed fresher for longer.
In water treatment, Aluminium Sulfate is used as a coagulant for swimming pools, i.e. when positively charged ions enter the water, they attract negatively charged ions and the coagulation process begins.

Many of these particles are coagulated and retained in the filter.
However, even some of the coagulated materials may be too small to be retained by the filters (especially sand filters), so flocculants are used as the next step.

The recommended dosage is 20–50 g of aluminium sulfate per 10 m³ of water.
Aluminium Sulfate has many different uses in day-to-day life, as well as being used in several essential industries.
In fact, you probably come into contact with Aluminium Sulfate on a daily basis without even knowing it!

Though you may not have known it, Aluminium Sulfate is used to make many products you use daily.
Even the water you drink is filtered using Aluminium Sulfate!
Aluminium sulfate is sometimes used in the human food industry as a firming agent, where it takes on E number E520, and in animal feed as a bactericide.

In the United States, the FDA lists Aluminium Sulfate as "generally recognized as safe" with no limit on concentration.
Aluminium sulfate may be used as a deodorant, an astringent, or as a styptic for superficial shaving wounds.
Aluminium sulfate is used as a mordant in dyeing and printing textiles.

Aluminium Sulfate is a common vaccine adjuvant and works "by facilitating the slow release of antigen from the vaccine depot formed at the site of inoculation."
Aluminium sulfate is used in water purification and for chemical phosphorus removal from wastewater.

Aluminium Sulfate causes suspended impurities to coagulate into larger particles and then settle to the bottom of the container (or be filtered out) more easily.
This process is called coagulation or flocculation.

Research suggests that in Australia, aluminium sulfate used in this way in drinking water treatment is the primary source of hydrogen sulfide gas in sanitary sewer systems.
An improper and excess application incident in 1988 polluted the water supply of Camelford in Cornwall.

Aluminium sulfate has been used as a method of eutrophication remediation for shallow lakes.
Aluminium Sulfate works by reducing the phosphorus load in the lakes.
When dissolved in a large amount of neutral or slightly alkaline water, aluminium sulfate produces a gelatinous precipitate of aluminium hydroxide, Al(OH)₃.

In dyeing and printing cloth, the gelatinous precipitate helps the dye adhere to the clothing fibers by rendering the pigment insoluble.
Aluminium sulfate is sometimes used to reduce the pH of garden soil, as it hydrolyzes to form the aluminium hydroxide precipitate and a dilute sulfuric acid solution.

An example of what changing the pH level of soil can do to plants is visible when looking at Hydrangea macrophylla.
The gardener can add aluminium sulfate to the soil to reduce the pH which in turn will result in the flowers of the Hydrangea turning a different color (blue).

Aluminium Sulfate is what makes the flowers blue; at a higher pH, the aluminium is not available to the plant.
In the construction industry, Aluminium Sulfate is used as waterproofing agent and accelerator in concrete.
Another use of Aluminium Sulfate is a foaming agent in fire fighting foam.

-Household Uses of Aluminium Sulfate:
Some of the most common uses of Aluminium Sulfate are found within the home.
Aluminium Sulfate is often found in baking soda, although there’s some controversy over whether it’s appropriate to add aluminum to the diet.

Some antiperspirants contain Aluminium Sulfate because of its antibacterial properties, although as of 2005 the FDA does not recognize it as a wetness reducer.
Finally, Aluminium Sulfate is the astringent ingredient in styptic pencils, which are designed to stop small cuts from bleeding.

-Gardening uses of Aluminium Sulfate:
Other interesting uses of Aluminium Sulfate around the house are in gardening.
Because Aluminium Sulfate is extremely acidic, it’s sometimes added to very alkaline soils to balance the pH for plants.

When the Aluminium Sulfate comes into contact with water, it forms aluminum hydroxide and a much diluted sulfuric acid solution, which alters the soil acidity.
Gardeners who plant hydrangeas apply this property to change the flower color (blue or pink) of the hydrangeas since this plant is very sensitive to soil pH.

-Water Treatment uses of Aluminium Sulfate:
One of the most important uses of Aluminium Sulfate is in water treatment and purification.
When added to water, Aluminium Sulfate causes microscopic impurities to clump together into larger and larger particles.

These clumps of impurities will then settle to the bottom of the container or at least get large enough to filter them out of the water.
This makes the water safer to drink.
On the same principle, Aluminium Sulfate is also sometimes used in swimming pools to decrease the cloudiness of the water.

-Dyeing Fabrics uses of Aluminium Sulfate:
Another one of the many uses of Aluminium Sulfate is in dyeing and printing on cloth.
When dissolved in a large amount of water that has a neutral or slightly alkaline pH, Aluminium Sulfate produces a gooey substance, aluminum hydroxide.

The gooey substance helps dyes stick to the cloth fibers by making the dye water insoluble.
The role of Aluminium Sulfate, then, is as a dye “fixer,” which means that it combines with the molecular structure of the dye and the fabric so the dye doesn’t run out when the fabric gets wet.

-Paper Making uses of Aluminium Sulfate:
In the past, Aluminium Sulfate was used in making paper, although synthetic agents have mostly replaced it.
The Aluminium Sulfate helped to size the paper.

In this process, Aluminium Sulfate was combined with rosin soap to change the absorbency of the paper.
This changes the ink-absorbing properties of the paper.
Using Aluminium Sulfate means that the paper was made under acidic conditions.

The use of synthetic sizing agents means that acid-free paper can be produced.
Acid-free paper does not break down as fast as paper sized with acid.

-Aluminium Sulfate can also be very effective as a molluscicide, killing Spanish slugs.
Mordants aluminium triacetate and aluminium sulfacetate can be prepared from aluminium sulfate, the product formed being determined by the amount of lead(II) acetate used:
Al₂(SO₄)₃ + 3Pb(CH₃CO₂)₂ → 2Al(CH₃CO₂)₃ + 3PbSO₄
Al₂(SO₄)₃ + 2Pb(CH₃CO₂)₂ → Al₂SO₄(CH₃CO₂)₄ + 2PbSO₄

-Medical Applications of Aluminium Sulfate:
Going to the doctor’s office is never fun, but because of Aluminium Sulfate usage, the medical field has been able to advance in several ways to keep us healthy.
Aluminium Sulfate has several practical uses in the medical field.

Aluminium Sulfate is primarily used as a coagulating agent in treating minor cuts and abrasions as well as deodorant (due to its antibacterial properties).
Aluminium Sulfate also adsorbs and precipitates protein antigens in solution; the resulting precipitate improves vaccine immunogenicity by facilitating the slow release of antigen from the vaccine depot formed at the site of inoculation.

In addition, solutions containing 5 to 10% have been used as local applications to ulcers and to arrest foul discharges from mucous surfaces.
Aluminium Sulfate is found in materials used in the pharmaceutical industry.
For instance, Aluminium Sulfate is used in the preparation of aluminum acetate ear drops.

-Aluminium Sulfate Usage in Food Industry:
Aluminium Sulfate is used for multiple purposes in the food we eat and is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice.
Aluminium Sulfate is soluble in water and, as a result, is mainly used as a thickener and emulsifier.

Aluminium Sulfate can also be used to:
*Remineralize and clarify water for soft drinks and beer.
*Control pH levels in beets, tomatoes, as well as other vegetables.
*Purify sugar beet juices.
*Control pH and color of wine and liquor.
*Act as a leavening agent in cake mix (baking soda).
*Curdle and thicken cheese.

-Natural dyeing – mordanting any fibers:
Aluminium Sulfate was developed in some dyeing processes at the 19th century instead of the potassium alum.
Aluminium Sulfate can be used as a mordant on any fiber and does not change the shades.

For proteinic fibers, Aluminium Sulfate can provide an interesting alternative to alum and can be used without cream of tartar.
Also, combinations of aluminum and iron mordants or a last (very light) iron bath after an aluminum-mordanted colour will widely increase the number of shades.

-Aluminium Sulfate has other common uses:
Aluminium Sulfate is used as a flocculating ingredient for the production of drinking water.
Aluminium Sulfate is used in the manufacture of paper.

Aluminium Sulfate is used as an acidification agent for soils.
Aluminium Sulfate is used as an antibacterial agent…

-OTC Medical Uses of Aluminium Sulfate:
Aluminium Sulfate is often purchased over the counter and also is available in solid stick or powder form for minor cuts and abrasions after shaving.

Aluminium Sulfate is used as a post-shaving treatment and is the astringent ingredient in styptic pencils because it eliminates bleeding from superficial wounds.

-Gardening uses of Aluminium Sulfate:
Because Aluminium Sulfate is extremely acidic, it’s sometimes added to very alkaline soils to balance the pH for plants.
When Aluminium Sulfate comes into contact with water, it forms aluminum hydroxide and a much diluted sulfuric acid solution, which alters the soil acidity.

Gardeners who plant hydrangeas apply this property to change the flower color (blue or pink) of the hydrangeas since this plant is very sensitive to soil pH.

WHERE IS ALUMINIUM SULFATE USED?
-Water Treatment Applications;
Aluminium Sulfate usage includes drinking water purification.

Ever wonder how we manage to have safe drinking water flowing out of our faucets?
You can thank Aluminium Sulfate.
Municipal water suppliers, such as your local water utility company, make use of alum to treat water for human consumption.

In addition, process water (non-drinking water) may also be treated with this chemical for purification when bacteria or sediment would cause an adverse effect.
When added to water, Aluminium Sulfate 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.

-Dyeing Fabrics;
Aluminium Sulfate usage includes fabric dyeing.
Look down at your shirt.
It’s likely not a plain white t-shirt.

Another of the many uses of Aluminium Sulfate is in dyeing and printing on cloth.
When dissolved in a large amount of water that has a neutral or slightly alkaline pH, Aluminium Sulfate produces a gooey substance, aluminum hydroxide.

This goo helps dyes stick to the cloth fibers by making the dye water insoluble.
The role of Aluminium Sulfate, then, is as a dye “fixer,” which means that it combines with the molecular structure of the dye and the fabric so the dye doesn’t run out when the fabric gets wet.

-Paper Making;
Aluminium Sulfate usage includes papermaking.
In the past, Aluminium Sulfate was used in making paper, although synthetic agents have mostly replaced it.
Aluminium Sulfate helps to size the paper.

In this process, Aluminium Sulfate is combined with rosin soap to change the absorbency of the paper, which changes the paper’s ink-absorbing properties.
Aluminium Sulfate produces acidic conditions, whereas synthetic sizing agents produce acid-free paper which does not break down as easily.

PRODUCTION CAPACITY AND INDUSTRIAL USE OF ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
Aluminium Sulfate is produced in high quality at world standards in facilities in different locations.
Production, which has reached a capacity of 1,000,000 tons/year in 2 locations in total, makes us strong together with the opportunities we offer to our customers.

Aluminium Sulfate is used as clarifier, agglomerator, bronzer, adhesive agent, stabilizer in various industries such as water treatment (drinking water and wastewater), construction chemicals, paper industry, textile, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and fire extinguisher.
Aluminium Sulfate is offered for sale in liquid form as well as in solid form to businesses designed for the use of liquid coagulant.

ALUMINIUM SULFATE COMPOSITION AND USES:
If you work with Aluminium Sulfate or “alum” in one particular industrial operation, you may not know about its many other uses or the properties that make it so beneficial for industrial, medical and consumer applications.
We think alum is one of the unsung heroes of the chemical world, and we’ve written this post so you can learn more about Aluminium Sulfate composition and usage.

PROFICIENT USES OF ALUMINIUM SULFATE TO CONSIDER:
You can see the uses of Aluminium Sulfate in daily lives and not just associated with industrial use only.
You will surely come in contact with Aluminium Sulfate on a daily basis and don’t even realize that.

-For the Gardening Section:
You can see the use of Aluminium Sulfate in gardening.
As this product is highly acidic, Aluminium Sulfate is added to some alkaline soil for balancing the plant’s pH level.

When Aluminium Sulfate comes in contact with water, it will create aluminum hydroxide and a diluted version of sulfuric acid.
Aluminium Sulfate can easily alter the acidity level of the soil.
Sometimes, gardeners can plant hydrangeas to change the color of any flower as the plant is quite sensitive to pH levels.

-For Household Uses:
You can easily find Aluminium Sulfate in your baking soda.
Well, you will use this soda in multiple delicacies to give out that crisp texture.

Then you have some of the antiperspirant, where you can see a good amount of Aluminium Sulfate mainly because of the anti-bacterial properties.
On the other hand, this item also has some astringent properties, which can stop the bleeding from small cuts.

-Proper Water Treatment:
You can see the growing importance of Aluminium Sulfate in water treatment alongside purification.
Whenever you add Aluminium Sulfate to the water, it will cause the microscopic impurities to clump up together into larger particles.

Then these clumps will settle down at the bottom of the container.
Sometimes, Aluminium Sulfate might get large enough to filter out from the water, making it safe to drink.
Depending on the same principle, Aluminium Sulfate is also used in swimming pools, sometimes to decrease water’s cloudiness.

RELATED COMPOUNDS OF ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
-Other cations    
*Gallium sulfate
*Magnesium sulfate

CHARACTERISTICS & BENEFITS OF ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
Coagulant & flocculant: 
Aluminium Sulfate forms gelatinous Al(OH)₃ precipitate to remove impurities from water.

Acidifying agent: 
Acidic solutions lower pH—for soil acidification or dye fixation.

Hygroscopic: 
Aluminium Sulfate absorbs moisture, can agglomerate.
Decomposes when heated: → Al₂O₃ + 3 SO₃ above 770 °C.

PRODUCTION OF ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
*In the laboratory
Aluminium sulfate may be made by adding aluminium hydroxide, Al(OH)₃, to sulfuric acid, H₂SO₄:
2Al(OH)₃ + 3H₂SO₄ → Al₂(SO₄)₃ + 6H₂O

Or by heating aluminium in a sulfuric acid solution:
2Al + 3H₂SO₄ → Al₂(SO₄)₃ + 3H₂↑

*From alum schists
The alum schists employed in the manufacture of aluminium sulfate are mixtures of iron pyrite, aluminium silicate and various bituminous substances, and are found in upper Bavaria, Bohemia, Belgium, and Scotland.
These are either roasted or exposed to the weathering action of the air.

In the roasting process, sulfuric acid is formed and acts on the clay to form aluminium sulfate, a similar condition of affairs being produced during weathering.
The mass is now systematically extracted with water, and a solution of aluminium sulfate of specific gravity 1.16 is prepared.

This solution is allowed to stand for some time (in order that any calcium sulfate and basic iron(III) sulfate may separate), and is then evaporated until iron(II) sulfate crystallizes on cooling.

It is then drawn off and evaporated until Aluminium Sulfate attains a specific gravity of 1.40.
It is now allowed to stand for some time, and decanted from any sediment.

*From clays or bauxite
In the preparation of aluminium sulfate from clays or from bauxite, the material is gently calcined, then mixed with sulfuric acid and water and heated gradually to boiling.

If concentrated acid is used no external heat is generally required as the formation of aluminium sulfate is exothermic.
It is allowed to stand for some time, and the clear solution is drawn off.

*From cryolite
When cryolite is used as the ore, it is mixed with calcium carbonate and heated.
By this means, sodium aluminate is formed.

It is then extracted with water and precipitated either by sodium bicarbonate or by passing a current of carbon dioxide through the solution.
The precipitate is then dissolved in sulfuric acid.

HOW IS ALUMINIUM SULFATE MADE?
Aluminium Sulfate is formed by reacting with the correct amount of sulphuric acid to freshly precipitated aluminium hydroxide.
The solution that results is then evaporated and allowed to crystallize.
Accessible as pure, lustrous crystals, granules, or powder.

WHAT TYPE OF COMPOUND IS ALUMINIUM SULFATE?
Aluminium Sulfate is an ionic compound, a combination of both positive and negative ions.
Ions are charged atoms, which may either be monatomic ions (single atoms) or polyatomic (multiple atoms combined to form a charged part).
Aluminium forms a +3 ion, Al³⁺, and sulphate is the -2 polyatomic ion, (SO₄)²⁻.

WHY IS ALUMINIUM SULFATE SOLUBLE IN WATER?
Aluminium Sulfate is a chemical compound produced with Al₂(SO₄)₃.
Aluminium Sulfate is soluble in water and is primarily used in purification of drinking water and wastewater treatment plants as a coagulating agent (promoting particle collision by neutralizing charge) as well as in paper processing.

WHAT IS THE SMELL OF ALUMINIUM SULFATE?
Aluminium Sulfate is an odourless, white crystalline hygroscopic compound, moderately water-soluble and insoluble in organic solvents.
This has an acidic flavour.

PREPARATION OF ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
Aluminium Sulfate is formed by reacting with the correct amount of sulphuric acid to freshly precipitated aluminium hydroxide.
The solution that results is then evaporated and allowed to crystallize.

Accessible as pure, lustrous crystals, granules, or powder.
2 Al(OH)₃ + 3 H₂SO₄ → Al₂(SO₄)₃ + 6 H₂O

Aluminium Sulfate is also produced by heating aluminum metal in a sulfuric acid solution.
2 Al + 3 H₂SO₄ → Al₂(SO₄)₃ + 3 H₂↑

PROPERTIES OF ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
Is Aluminium Sulfate soluble?
Aluminium Sulfate is highly soluble in water; it dissolves into its ions when put in water.
The Aluminium Sulfate solubility increases by increasing the temperature, as proven in the solubility table.
Aluminium Sulfate is an astringent compound commonly used in water purification.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
Aluminium Sulfate exists as white, lustrous crystals, granules, or powder.
In nature, Aluminium Sulfate exists as the mineral alunogenite.

Aluminium sulfate is sometimes called alum or papermaker’s alum.
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.

Aluminium Sulfate has an action similar to that of alum but is more stringent.
Aluminium Sulfate is an aluminum salt composed of aluminum, sulfur, and oxygen, three plentiful elements.
Its molecular formula is Al₂(SO₄)₃ or Al₂S₃O₁₂ or Al₂O₁₂S₃.

CHEMISTRY OF ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
Aluminium Sulfate is produced by the reaction of sulfuric acid with an aluminium-rich ore such as refined bauxite.

In water, the aluminium ion reacts with natural alkalinity (hydroxyl or bicarbonate) or added alkalinity (lime, caustic soda or soda ash) to form aluminium hydroxide species.
The hydrolysis proceeds as follows:
Al₂(SO₄)₃·6H₂O ↔ 2Al(OH)₃ + 6H⁺ + 3SO₄²⁻

As the hydrolysis reactions proceed, mononuclear products can form polynuclear species.
The reactions are complex and the species formed are quite variable.

Examples of the species formed are:
Mononuclear:
AlOH²⁺
Al(OH)₂⁺
Al(OH)₃ (solid precipitate)
Al(OH)₄⁻

Polynuclear:
Al₈(OH)₂₀⁴⁺
Al₁₃O₄(OH)₂₄⁷⁺

The generally positively charged Al species are available to interact with negatively charged colloidal matter in water.
Such matter includes inorganic turbidity particles and the high molecular weight fraction of organic compounds present in NOM.

The interaction destabilises the repulsive forces between the negatively charged particles, allowing them to collide and agglomerate to form microfloc (a process referred to as adsorption–destabilisation).

At higher concentrations of Aluminium Sulfate, metal hydroxides precipitate and can enmesh any colloidal particles in a process known as ‘sweep coagulation’, which renders water suitable for clarification.

Aluminium Sulfate has an optimum pH for coagulation of 5.5–7.5, with the lower end of the range (pH 5.5–6.2) being used for organics removal and enhanced coagulation, and the higher end (pH 6.5–7.5) being used for sweep coagulation.
Adsorption–destabilisation to form small floc, which can be removed by contact and direct filtration, typically occurs in the pH range 6–7.

‘Enhanced coagulation’ refers to coagulation at low pH with high doses of Aluminium Sulfate, and is used to remove NOM.
The pH and Aluminium Sulfate dose need to be optimised, to maximise the removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC).

WHAT IS ALUMINIUM SULFATE USED FOR?
Aluminium Sulfate is used in water treatment plants as a coagulating agent and it is used in removing impurities from water.
Aluminium Sulfate is also used in regulating the pH of the soil in gardens and is an additive in preserving animal hides.

IS ALUMINIUM SULFATE SAFE TO USE?
Aluminium Sulfate does not pose any great danger to human health; it is noncombustible and not a carcinogen.
The most damage Aluminium Sulfate could cause is irritation.
Aluminium Sulfate is safe to use.

CHEMICAL REACTIONS OF ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
Aluminium Sulfate decomposes to γ-alumina and sulfur trioxide when heated between 580 and 900 °C.
Aluminium Sulfate combines with water forming hydrated salts of various compositions.

Aluminium sulfate reacts with sodium bicarbonate to which foam stabilizer has been added, producing carbon dioxide for fire-extinguishing foams:
Al₂(SO₄)₃ + 6NaHCO₃ → 3Na₂SO₄ + 2Al(OH)₃ + 6CO₂

The carbon dioxide is trapped by the foam stabilizer and creates a thick foam which will float on top of hydrocarbon fuels and seal off access to atmospheric oxygen, smothering the fire.
Chemical foam was unsuitable for use on polar solvents such as alcohol, as the fuel would mix with and break down the foam blanket.

The carbon dioxide generated also served to propel the foam out of the container, be it a portable fire extinguisher or fixed installation using hoselines.

Chemical foam is considered obsolete in the United States and has been replaced by synthetic mechanical foams, such as AFFF which have a longer shelf life, are more effective, and more versatile, although some countries such as Japan and India continue to use it.

PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL PROPERTIES of ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
CAS: 10043-01-3
EINECS: 233-135-0
InChI: InChI:1S/2Al.3H2O4S/c;;31-5(2,3)4/h;;3(H2,1,2,3,4)/q2*+3;;;/p-6
Molecular Formula: Al2O12S3
Molar Mass: 342.15
Density: 2.71 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
Melting Point: 770 °C (dec.) (lit.)
Boling Point: 759.71°C (estimate)
Water Solubility: soluble
Solubility: Soluble in water, insoluble in ethanol, etc.

Vapor Presure: 0-0.001Pa at 20-25℃
Appearance: White powder or block
Specific Gravity: 2.71
Color: White
Exposure Limit: NIOSH: TWA 2 mg/m3
Merck: 14,366
pKa: 3.6[at 20 ℃]
Storage Condition: Room Temprature
Sensitive: Hygroscopic
MDL: MFCD00003423

Physical and Chemical Properties: colorless monoclinic crystals.
Iron-free aluminum sulfate, molecular formula: Al2(SO4)3 or Al2(SO4)3· XH2O
IUPAC name: Aluminium sulfate (dialuminium trisulfate)
CAS number: 10043‑01‑3
EC number: 233‑135‑0
PubChem CID: 24850
ChemSpider ID: 23233
Chemical formula: Al₂(SO₄)₃ (also hydrates: ·16H₂O, ·18H₂O)
Molecular weight: Anhydrous: ~342.15 g/mol
Hexadecahydrate: ~666.43 g/mol

Octadecahydrate: ~666.40 g/mol
Appearance: Anhydrous: white crystalline solid, odorless
Hydrates: colorless to white crystals or powder; hygroscopic
Melting/Decomposition point: ~770 °C (decomposes)
Anhydrous: 2.71 g/cm³
Hydrate (~18H₂O): ~1.62 g/cm³
Solubility in water: highly soluble (36–89 g/100 mL, 0–100 °C)
Solubility in ethanol: practically insoluble

pH of aqueous solution: acidic (pKa ~3.3–3.6)
Vapor pressure: negligible (0–0.001 Pa at 20–25 °C)
Not flammable: decomposition emits sulfur oxides
Refractive index: approx. 1.47
Formula / Mw: Al₂(SO₄)₃; ~342.15 g/mol
CAS / EC Number: 10043‑01‑3 / 233‑135‑0
Appearance: White, hygroscopic crystalline solid or powder
Melting/Decomposition: ~770 °C (decomposes)
Density: ~2.71 g/cm³

Water Solubility: High (~36–89 g/100 mL at 0–100 °C)
pH (in water): Acidic (pKa ~3.3–3.6)
Flammability: Non-flammable; emits SOₓ when heated
Main Uses: Water treatment, paper, textiles, concrete, fire foam, cosmetics, food
PPE Requirements: Gloves, goggles, respirator, dry storage
chemical formula: Al2(SO4)3
molar mass: 342.15 g/mol (anhydrous)
molar mass: 666.44 g/mol (octadecahydrate)
appearance: white crystalline solid
appearance: hygroscopic

density: 2.672 g/cm3 (anhydrous)
density: 1.62 g/cm3 (octadecahydrate)
melting point: 770 °C (1,420 °F; 1,040 K) (decomposes, anhydrous)
melting point: 86.5 °C (octadecahydrate)
solubility in water: 31.2 g/100 mL (0 °C)
solubility in water: 36.4 g/100 mL (20 °C)
solubility in water: 89.0 g/100 mL (100 °C)
solubility: slightly soluble in alcohol, dilute mineral acids
acidity (pKa): 3.3–3.6
magnetic susceptibility (χ): −93.0×10−6 cm3/mol
refractive index (nD): 1.47
structure: Crystal structure monoclinic (hydrate)
std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298): −3440 kJ/mol

FIRST AID MEASURES of ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
-Description of first-aid measures
*General advice:
Show this material safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
*If inhaled:
After inhalation: 
Fresh air.
*In case of skin contact: 
Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. 
Rinse skin with
water/ shower.
*In case of eye contact:
After eye contact: 
Rinse out with plenty of water. 
Call in ophthalmologist. 
Remove contact lenses.
*If swallowed:
After swallowing: 
Immediately make victim drink water (two glasses at most). 
Consult a physician.
-Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed.
No data available

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES of ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
-Environmental precautions:
Do not let product enter drains.
-Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Cover drains. 
Collect, bind, and pump off spills. 
Observe possible material restrictions. 
Take up dry. 
Dispose of properly. 
Clean up affected area.

FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES of ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
-Extinguishing media:
*Suitable extinguishing media:
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 
Foam 
Dry powder
*Unsuitable extinguishing media:
For this substance/mixture no limitations of extinguishing agents are given.
-Further information:
Prevent fire extinguishing water from contaminating surface water or the ground water system.

EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION of ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
-Control parameters:
--Ingredients with workplace control parameters:
-Exposure controls:
--Personal protective equipment:
*Eye/face protection:
Use equipment for eye protection. 
Safety glasses
*Body Protection:
protective clothing
*Respiratory protection:
Recommended Filter type: Filter A 
-Control of environmental exposure:
Do not let product enter drains.

HANDLING and STORAGE of ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
-Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
*Storage conditions:
Tightly closed. 
Dry.

STABILITY and REACTIVITY of ALUMINIUM SULFATE:
-Chemical stability:
The product is chemically stable under standard ambient conditions (room temperature).
-Possibility of hazardous reactions:
No data available