ALUMINIUM SULPHATE, powder, per kg

STD CWATTREAAP1

Valid Article

Former Code(s): CWATYALSP1- CWATDISIAP1
OC subscriptions: included in supply or field order tools (e.g. UniField)
SC subscriptions: included in supply or field tools
OC validations: approved for procurement and use by an OC for international or local orders specifying context and activity in Medical Standard Lists (MSL)

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ALUMINIUM SULPHATE powder

Definition

Coagulant used for treating turbid water. Coarse crystallic powder, possibly in lumps. Usually supplied in bags, can also be supplied in plastic barrels. Unit of measurement: 1 kilogram. Used in water treatment in particular in the coagulation - flocculation process.

Synonym

Cake aluminium, Pickle aluminium, Filter aluminium, Papermaker's aluminium or Pearl aluminium.

Specifications

Solid small granules of Aluminium Sulphate. Exists as well in (big) lumps, but these will have to be crushed in order to become dissolvable in water to form a 1% stock solution. These are white crystalline granules. They have the following properties:

hydrated/ octadecahydrate

CAS number

10043-01-37784-31-8

Chemical formula

Al2(SO4)3

Concentration

17 - 18%

Solubility in water

86.9 g/100 ml at 0 °C

Stability

stable

Corrosive

May corrode metals in the presence of moisture

Instructions for use

Treatment of water

Normally used prior to chlorination of water, as a part of a process to reduce raw water turbidity: Aluminium sulphate solution is added to the raw water in a circular or onion-shape sedimentation tank, or for direct rapid sand filtration with the Water Treatment Unit. Assists sedimentation / rapid sand filtration through coagulation. Store in dry conditions. Mostly used in stock solution of 1%).

Choosing the correct coagulant depends on the raw water's pH. See in book "Public Health Engineering in Precarious Situations", MSF, 2nd edition, 2010, for more information, or contact your WHS technical referent if in doubt.

Certain water analyses should be made before using Al2(SO4)3: certainly pH (range of use: 6.0 till 7.4), turbidity, and preferably also conductivity, alkalinity (pH buffer effect) and temperature.​

For treating turbid water, a 1 % stock solution (or "mother solution") is used (10 g/litre).

This is made by diluting 10 x (100/18) = 56 g Al2(SO4)3 granules (18% concentration) into 1 litre of water. The Al2(SO4)3 granules will dissolve completely, although this might take some time and effort (e.g. shaking vigorously the solution's recipient).

The stock solution should be kept in an airtight, non-metallic container.

A jar test will have to be performed to determine the dosage needed. Transparent 1 litre beakers are ideal as the formation and finally the settling of flocs will be very visible. The quantity required for this small volume can then be extrapolated according to the volume of the big sedimentation tank or to the flow of raw water which is pumped into the sedimentation tank or through the Water treatment Unit. Once all flocs have settled (this takes several hours) or when the water has passed the Water Treatment Unit, it still needs to be chlorinated in a separate reservoir.

Attention: Residual Aluminium might provoke certain health risks if sedimentation times are too short and/or if the dosage is not correctly performed. Thus a residual aluminium test is strongly recommended and should preferably be under 0.2 mg/l.

For information on preparation of coagulation solution and its jar test, see:

"Public Health Engineering in Precarious Situations", MSF, 2nd edition, 2010:

  • T.B. 2.14 Coagulants / flocculants
  • T.B. 2.15 Jar test for coagulants

For information on water treatment methods based on coagulants, see:

"Public Health Engineering in Precarious Situations", MSF, 2nd edition, 2010:

  • T.B. 2.16 Assisted batch sedimentation
  • T.B. 2.17 Filtration methods

For information on water analysis to be done before and after the coagulant is used, see:

"Public Health Engineering in Precarious Situations", MSF, 2nd edition, 2010:

  • T.B. 2.13 Turbidity measurement
  • T.B. 2.22 Monitoring chlorination

Precautions for Use

Prepare solutions in non-metallic containers

Avoid inhaling vapour and dust when handling Al2(SO4)3 Al2(SO4)3.

Avoid skin and eye contact as the Al2(SO4)3 Al2(SO4)3 granules and solution are acid, thus aggressive. Personal Protective Equipment is advisable.

Never mix Al2(SO4)3 granules with anything else than clean water to prepare the coagulant solution.

Certain publications indicate that a high Aluminium concentration could provoke certain health hazards: chronic Encephalitis (neurological et psychological effects), kidney problems, potentially Alzheimer disease and malnourished children not picking up their weight.

Therefore there should be an aim of a very low residual Al concentration (max 0.2 mg/l) in the treated water.

Storage

  • Store in a dry and well-ventilated place.
  • Ensure containers are properly resealed after use.
  • Store well under good storage conditions.
  • Keep out of the reach of children

Waste management

Contact your WHS technical referent for disposal of expired or damaged batches of aluminium sulphate powder.

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Signal Word

Danger

Image
H315Causes skin irritation
H318Causes serious eye damage.
P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P280Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
P305 + P351 + P338IF IN EYES: rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. If the victim wears contact lenses, remove them if possible. Keep rinsing
P101If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand.
P102Keep out of reach of children
P103Read label before use.
P308 + P310IF exposed or concerned: immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/ physician