Aluminum Sulfate Hydrate ACS Grade

Product Overview

Aluminum Sulfate Hydrate ACS Grade (Al₂(SO₄)₃·nH₂O) is a white crystalline solid with high water solubility, widely used as a primary coagulant in environmental and industrial processes. The ACS Reagent Grade designation ensures stringent purity aligned with Reagent Chemicals standards (11th Edition), supporting reliable performance in critical applications. This product typically presents a gravimetric assay of 99.8%, with an assay range of 99–100.5%, indicating excellent consistency for dosing in water treatment, paper production, and textile processing. Its relatively high specific gravity at 20°C (typical 1.7) aids precise feed calculations in automated systems, while low residue after ignition (typical 0.02%, max 0.05%) supports downstream process cleanliness and compliance with regulatory thresholds.

In addition to its primary use as a coagulating agent, ACS Grade aluminum sulfate hydrate serves as a sizing and color-retention aid in paper and textiles, and as a firming agent in certain food processing scenarios. The compound’s soluble nature facilitates rapid dispersion in aqueous systems, enabling efficient clarification and sedimentation in municipal and industrial water treatment. Compliance with USP-NF Monographs further substantiates its suitability for analytical and laboratory workflows, where traceability, lot-to-lot consistency, and documentation are essential.

Key Properties

• Appearance: White crystalline solid
• Chemical Formula: Al₂(SO₄)₃·nH₂O
• Molecular Weight: 342.15 g/mol
• Boiling Point: N/A
• Specific Gravity (20°C): 1.68–1.72 (typical 1.70)
• Solubility: Soluble in water
• Density (25°C): 1.67 g/mL
• Assay (wt%): Min 99, Max 100.5, Typical 99.8
• Color (APHA/Hazen): Max 10, Typical 5
• Residue After Ignition: Max 0.05%, Typical 0.02%
• Chloride (ppm): Max 500, Typical 100
• Nitrate NO₃⁻ (ppm): Max 100, Typical 20
• Ammonium (NH₄⁺, ppm): Max 10, Typical 2
• Sulfate (SO₄²⁻, ppm): Max 5000, Typical 2000
• Phosphate (PO₄³⁻, ppm): Max 100, Typical 20
• Arsenic (As, ppm): Max 0.5, Typical 0.05
• Heavy Metals (As Pb, ppm): Max 0.5, Typical 0.05
• Iron (Fe, ppm): Max 2, Typical 0.5
• Copper (Cu, ppm): Max 1, Typical 0.2
• Manganese (Mn, ppm): Max 1, Typical 0.2
• Nickel (Ni, ppm): Max 0.5, Typical 0.1
• Sodium (Na, ppm): Max 100, Typical 20
• Potassium (K, ppm): Max 100, Typical 20
• Aluminum (Al, ppm): Max 1000, Typical 100
• Chromium (Cr, ppm): Max 0.5, Typical 0.05
• Cobalt (Co, ppm): Max 0.2, Typical 0.02
• Calcium (Ca, ppm): Max 200, Typical 50
• Magnesium (Mg, ppm): Max 200, Typical 40
• Phosphorus (as phosphate, ppm): See PO₄³⁻ above
• Chlorides, Nitrates, Ammonium: See above entries for corresponding notes

Common Applications

• Water Treatment: Environmental Engineering — Used as a primary coagulant to destabilize colloidal suspensions and promote flocculation for efficient particle removal and water clarification in municipal and industrial systems.
• Paper Manufacturing: Pulp and Paper — Serves as a sizing agent and coagulant adjunct to improve paper strength, surface properties, and print quality through controlled deposition and filler retention.
• Textile Industry: Textiles — Applied in dyeing operations to enhance color fastness, reduce bleeding, and improve fabric stiffness where appropriate.
• Food Processing: Food Industry — Utilized as a firming agent in pickles and canned vegetables; contributes to texture and structural integrity during processing.
• Laboratory Reagent: Analytical Chemistry — Used in various analytical protocols and sample preparation steps due to its high purity and predictable behavior in aqueous systems.
• Coagulation Pretreatments: — Incorporated into pretreatment stages for wastewater and process water to reduce turbidity prior to downstream treatment steps.
• Clarification Processes: — Employed in clarifiers to accelerate sedimentation and improve filtrate clarity in industrial filtration systems.

Safety Precautions

Handle with appropriate PPE including chemical-resistant gloves, goggles or a face shield, and a lab coat or apron. Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, in tightly closed containers made of compatible materials (HDPE or glass). Avoid contact with strong acids or bases to prevent exothermic or undesirable reactions; use proper ventilation when handling powders to minimize inhalation exposure. Ensure compatibility with storage vessels and maintain dry conditions to prevent clumping and compromised performance.

In case of exposure, follow standard emergency procedures: in eyes, rinse cautiously with water for several minutes; on skin, wash with soap and water and remove contaminated clothing; if inhaled, move to fresh air and seek medical attention if symptoms persist; if ingested, rinse mouth and seek medical advice. The product is classified with a WARNING hazard statement, including eye and skin irritation (H319, H315); consult the Safety Data Sheet for complete details and transport guidance (UN 3264, Aluminum sulfate, Class 8, PG III).

Benefits

✔ High Purity ACS Grade – Meets ACS Reagent Grade specifications and USP-NF monograph expectations, ensuring reliable performance in demanding applications.
✔ Wide Purity Range with Traceability – Assured assay (99–100.5%, typical 99.8%) and rigorous lot-specific documentation support traceable quality control in process streams.