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Aluminium Sulphate

Aluminum sulfate is a chemical agent most commonly used in water purification, for the pH regulation of garden soil and in waste water treatment. Medically, it is primarily used as a coagulating agent in minor cuts and abrasions as well as deodorant.

Synonyms
Aluminiumssalt, Alunogenite, Cake alumimium, Filter aluminium, Alum, Aluminum Sulphate, Liquid Alum, Sulfate Aluminum Solution, Sulphuric Acid, Aluminum Salt
Chemical Formula
Al2(SO4)3
CAS Number
10043-01-3

Characteristics

Molar Weight
342.15 g/mol (anhydrous); 666.44 g/mol (octadecahydrate)
Melting Point
770 °C
Boiling Point
759.71 °C
Density
2.672 g/cm3 (anhydrous); 1.62 g/cm3 (octadecahydrate)
Forms
Liquid, Yellow

Uses and Applications

Key applications

  • Wastewater treatment
  • Leather processing
  • Metal finishing
  • Pulp and paper
  • Textile handling
  • Solvents
  • Paint and Coatings

General information about Ammonium sulphate

Ammonium sulphate is a salt and has the molecular formula (NH4)2SO4. The crystalline solid is colourless and odourless. Ammonium sulphate is usually produced from the reaction of ammonia in dissolved or gaseous form with 80 percent sulphuric acid. Production of ammonium sulphate by reacting ammonia, carbon dioxide and water with gypsum is also possible.
In its natural form, ammonium sulphate is known as the mineral mascagnine, which occurs only rarely.

Properties of ammonium sulphate

Ammonium sulphate dissolves well in water and is not particularly hygroscopic. It reacts weakly acidic as a solution. Ammonium sulphate can react with sodium nitrite or potassium nitrite at room temperature, forming flames, and may even explode. Ammonium sulphate is virtually insoluble in acetone and ethanol.
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Ammonium sulphate in the chemical industry

In the chemical industry, ammonium sulphate is also used as a precipitating agent for proteins and as a flotation agent. Amongst others, it is used in the production of flame retardants and fire extinguishing powders.
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Ammonium sulphate in the food industry

Under the name E 517, ammonium sulphate is used as a carrier substance for other additives in foodstuffs.
In wine production, ammonium sulphate is used in the fermentation process. As a component of nutrient salt mixtures for yeasts, it promotes their cell proliferation during fermentation.

Other uses of ammonium sulphate

Due to its nitrogen content, ammonium sulphate is one of the most relevant salts for the production of fertilisers in agriculture. In addition, it is used in biological sewage treatment plants as a component of nutrient mixtures for the microorganisms used there.
In the leather industry it is used for pickling, in the paper industry for the production of flame-retardant paper.
The so-called ammonium sulphate precipitation is a process for salting out proteins in which ammonium sulphate is used in biochemistry.
In molecular biology, a saturated ammonium sulphate solution provides preservation. The RNA of cells and tissue is protected from degradation.