Aluminum sulfate (Al2(SO4)3)) is a chemical compound that is easily soluble in water. It is used primarily as a coagulant in water purification, wastewater treatment, and paper manufacturing. Alum can also be used in gardening.
You can use food-grade aluminum sulfate for households. It is safe to use the compound in small amounts of less than 28.5g or 1 ounce. There are many uses for household alum.
Water Treatment Applications
Have you ever wondered how safe drinking water can flow from our taps? Aluminum sulfate is the answer. Aluminum sulfate is used to treat municipal water supplies, such as your local utility company. This chemical can also be used to purify non-drinking water when sediment or bacteria would cause adverse effects.
Aluminum sulfate can be added to water to cause microscopic impurities, which clump together to form more substantial particles. These clumps settle to the bottom of the container, and can then be filtered. This makes water safe to drink. Alum can also be used to reduce water cloudiness in swimming pools.
Dyeing Fabrics
Take a look at your shirt. You’re likely wearing a t-shirt that isn’t plain white. Aluminum sulfate can also be used to dye and print on cloth. Aluminum hydroxide is formed when the compound is dissolved in large quantities of water with a neutral pH. This makes dyes insoluble and helps them stick to cloth fibers. Aluminum sulfate’s role is to “fix” dyes. This means it reacts with the molecular structure and fabric to ensure that the dye doesn’t run out when the fabric becomes wet.
Paper Making
Aluminum sulfate used to be used in papermaking in the past. However, synthetic agents have mostly replaced it. Aluminum sulfate is used to size the paper. It is mixed with rosin soap to alter the paper’s absorbency. This changes the paper’s ink-absorbing capabilities. Aluminum sulfate creates acidic conditions. Synthetic sizing agents produce an acid-free paper that doesn’t break down as easily.
Medical Applications
Although it is not fun to go to the doctor’s, aluminum sulfate has allowed the medical profession to improve in many ways. There are many uses for aluminum sulfate in medicine. Because of its antibacterial properties, it is used primarily as a coagulating agent for minor cuts and abrasions. It also adsorbs, precipitates, and forms protein antigens in solutions. The precipitate increases vaccine immunogenicity by facilitating the slow release of antigens from the vaccine depot at the point of inoculation. Solutions containing 5-10% have been used to treat ulcers locally and stop foul-smelling mucous discharges. Materials used in the pharmaceutical sector often contain aluminum sulfate. It is used, for example, in the preparation of aluminum acetate ear drops.
Use Of Aluminum Sulfate In Food Industry
There are many uses for alum in the food we eat. It is safe when it is used in good manufacturing practices. It dissolves in water and. It is therefore primarily used as an emulsifier and thickener.
You can also use alum to:
- Remineralize and clarify water for soft drinks or beer
- You can control the pH levels of tomatoes and beets as well as any other vegetables.
- Purification of sugar beet juices
- Control the pH and color of wine and liquor
- Use as a leavening agent for cake mix (baking soda).
- Curdle and thicken the cheese
Consumer Uses
OTC Medical Uses
Aluminum sulfate can be purchased over the counter. It is also available in powder or solid stick form for minor cuts after shaving. Because it prevents bleeding from superficial wounds, it is often used in post-shaving treatments.
Gardening
Aluminum sulfate can be very acidic so it is often added to alkaline soils to balance the pH. This results in a diluted sulfuric acid solution that alters the soil’s acidity. Because this plant is sensitive to pH, gardeners who plant hydrangeas use this property to alter the color of the flowers (blue or rose). You can it for your garden from aluminium sulfate supplier.
