Aluminium sulfate
Aluminium sulphate hexadecahydrate
Names
IUPAC name
Aluminium sulfate
Other names
Aluminum sulfate
Aluminium sulphate
Cake alum
Filter alum
Papermaker's alum
Alunogenite
aluminium salt (3:2)
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.030.110
EC Number
  • 233-135-0
E number E520 (acidity regulators, ...)
RTECS number
  • BD1700000
UNII
  • InChI=1S/2Al.3H2O4S/c;;3*1-5(2,3)4/h;;3*(H2,1,2,3,4)/q2*+3;;;/p-6 checkY
    Key: DIZPMCHEQGEION-UHFFFAOYSA-H checkY
  • InChI=1/2Al.3H2O4S/c;;3*1-5(2,3)4/h;;3*(H2,1,2,3,4)/q2*+3;;;/p-6
    Key: DIZPMCHEQGEION-CYFPFDDLAS
  • [Al+3].[Al+3].[O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O.[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O
Properties
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)
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
−93.0×10−6 cm3/mol
1.47[1]
Structure
monoclinic (hydrate)
Thermochemistry
-3440 kJ/mol
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamond
1
0
0
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
 none[2]
REL (Recommended)
 2 mg/m3[2]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
 N.D.[2]
Related compounds
Other cations
 Gallium sulfate
Magnesium sulfate
Related compounds
 See Alum
Supplementary data page
Aluminium sulfate (data page)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)
Infobox references

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 water[3][4] 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. 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(SO
4)
2·12H
2O, where X is a monovalent cation such as potassium or ammonium.[5]

Production

In the laboratory

Aluminium sulfate may be made by adding aluminium hydroxide, Al(OH)3, to sulfuric acid, H2SO4:

2 Al(OH)3 + 3 H2SO4 → Al2(SO4)3 + 6 H2O

or by heating aluminium metal in a sulfuric acid solution:

2 Al + 3 H2SO4 → Al2(SO4)3 + 3 H2↑

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 it attains a specific gravity of 1.40. It is now allowed to stand for some time, and decanted from any sediment.[6]

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.[6]

Uses

Sediment core sampled from a Minnesota lake. Aluminium sulfate flocs are depicted as white clumps near the sediment surface.

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 it as "generally recognized as safe" with no limit on concentration.[7] 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.

It 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. It 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.[8] 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. It works by reducing the phosphorus load in the lakes.[9][10]

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). The aluminium is what makes the flowers blue; at a higher pH, the aluminium is not available to the plant.[11]

In the construction industry, it is used as waterproofing agent and accelerator in concrete. Another use is a foaming agent in fire fighting foam.

It can also be very effective as a molluscicide,[12] 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:[13]

Al
2(SO
4)
3 + 3 Pb(CH
3CO
2)
2 → 2 Al(CH
3CO
2)
3 + 3 PbSO
4
Al
2(SO
4)
3 + 2 Pb(CH
3CO
2)
2 → Al
2SO
4(CH
3CO
2)
4 + 2 PbSO
4

Chemical reactions

The compound decomposes to γ-alumina and sulfur trioxide when heated between 580 and 900 °C. It 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 + 6 NaHCO3 → 3 Na2SO4 + 2 Al(OH)3 + 6 CO2

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.

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Pradyot Patnaik. Handbook of Inorganic Chemicals. McGraw-Hill, 2002, ISBN 0-07-049439-8
  2. 1 2 3 NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0024". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  3. ↑ Global Health and Education Foundation (2007). "Conventional Coagulation-Flocculation-Sedimentation". Safe Drinking Water is Essential. National Academy of Sciences. Archived from the original on 2007-10-07. Retrieved 2007-12-01.
  4. ↑ Kvech S, Edwards M (2002). "Solubility controls on aluminum in drinking water at relatively low and high pH". Water Research. 36 (17): 4356–4368. doi:10.1016/S0043-1354(02)00137-9. PMID 12420940.
  5. ↑ Austin, George T. (1984). Shreve's Chemical process industries (5th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. p. 357. ISBN 9780070571471. Archived from the original on 2014-01-03.
  6. 1 2 Chisholm 1911, p. 767.
  7. ↑ 21 CFR 182.1125, 2020-04-01, retrieved 2021-02-22
  8. ↑ Ilje Pikaar; Keshab R. Sharma; Shihu Hu; Wolfgang Gernjak; Jürg Keller; Zhiguo Yuan (2014). "Reducing sewer corrosion through integrated urban water management". Science. 345 (6198): 812–814. Bibcode:2014Sci...345..812P. doi:10.1126/science.1251418. PMID 25124439. S2CID 19126381.
  9. ↑ Kennedy, Robert H.; Cook, G. Dennis (June 1982). "Control of Lake Phosphorus with Aluminum Sulfate: Dose Determination and Application Techniques". Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 18 (3): 389–395. Bibcode:1982JAWRA..18..389K. doi:10.1111/j.1752-1688.1982.tb00005.x. ISSN 1093-474X.
  10. ↑ Martyn, Huser, Brian J. Egemose, Sara Harper, Harvey Hupfer, Michael Jensen, Henning Pilgrim, Keith M. Reitzel, Kasper Rydin, Emil Futter (2016). Longevity and effectiveness of aluminum addition to reduce sediment phosphorus release and restore lake water quality. Uppsala universitet, Limnologi. OCLC 1233676585.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ↑ Kari Houle (2013-06-18). "Blue or Pink - Which Color is Your Hydrangea". University of Illinois Extension. Retrieved 2018-09-03.
  12. ↑ Council, British Crop Protection; Society, British Ecological; Biologists, Association of Applied (1994). Field margins: integrating agriculture and conservation : proceedings of a symposium organised by the British Crop Protection Council in association with the British Ecological Society and the Association of Applied Biologists and held at the University of Warwick, Coventry on 18–20 April 1994. British Crop Protection Council. ISBN 9780948404757.
  13. ↑ Georgievics, Von (2013). The Chemical Technology of Textile Fibres – Their Origin, Structure, Preparation, Washing, Bleaching, Dyeing, Printing and Dressing. Read Books. ISBN 9781447486121. Archived from the original on 2017-12-05.

Notations

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