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Polyaluminum Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxychloride, PAC Powder, PAC30, 1327-41-9, 101707-17-9

Polyaluminum Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxychloride, PAC Powder, PAC30, 1327-41-9, 101707-17-9

POLYALUMINIUM CHLORIDE (PAC) POWDER
PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION

Parameter Information
Product Name Polyaluminium Chloride Powder
Chemical Names Polyaluminium Chloride, Basic Aluminum Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxychloride
Synonyms (Turkish) Polialüminyum Klorür, PAC Tozu, Polimerik Alüminyum Klorür, Alüminyum Klorohidrat
Synonyms (English) Polyaluminium Chloride, PAC, Polymeric Aluminum Chloride, Aluminum Chlorohydrate
CAS Numbers 1327-41-9 (primary), 101707-17-9 (alternative)
EC Number (EINECS) 215-477-2
General Formula Alₙ(OH)ₘCl₍₃ₙ₋ₘ₎
Molecular Weight Very high due to polymeric structure (typical ~5,000–50,000 g/mol)
Appearance White to light yellow, free-flowing powder

CHEMICAL STRUCTURE

Polyaluminium Chloride (PAC)

[Al₂(OH)nCl₆₋ₙ]ₘ

General Formula: Alₙ(OH)ₘCl₍₃ₙ₋ₘ₎
Structure: Polymeric inorganic coagulant with variable polynuclear aluminium species; High positive charge; Degree of polymerization and basicity (OH/Al ratio) determine performance characteristics; Contains pre-polymerized aluminium species (Al₁₃ Keggin ions).

SECTION 1: CHEMICAL IDENTITY AND DESCRIPTION

Parameter Information
Product Name Polyaluminium Chloride Powder
Chemical Names Polyaluminium Chloride, Basic Aluminum Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxychloride
Synonyms (Turkish) Polialüminyum Klorür, PAC Tozu, Polimerik Alüminyum Klorür, Alüminyum Klorohidrat
Synonyms (English) Polyaluminium Chloride, PAC, Polymeric Aluminum Chloride, Aluminum Chlorohydrate
CAS Numbers 1327-41-9 (primary), 101707-17-9 (alternative)
EC Number (EINECS) 215-477-2
General Formula Alₙ(OH)ₘCl₍₃ₙ₋ₘ₎
Molecular Weight 5,000 – 50,000 g/mol (grade dependent)
Chemical Class Inorganic polymer; Pre-hydrolyzed coagulant; Polyelectrolyte
Physical State (20°C) Solid (free-flowing powder)
Odor Odorless
Color White to light yellow

SECTION 2: PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Property Value Test Method / Note
Appearance White to light yellow, free-flowing powder Visual
Odor Odorless Olfactometric
Bulk Density (20°C) 0.65 – 0.85 g/cm³ ASTM D1895
True Density ~2.0 – 2.2 g/cm³ ASTM D792
Melting Point >200°C (decomposes) DSC
Hygroscopicity Moderate (absorbs moisture)
Particle Size (D50) 10 – 150 μm (grade dependent) Laser Diffraction
Solubility in Water Fully soluble (exothermic) General Method
pH (1% Solution, 20°C) 3.5 – 5.0 pH Meter
Al₂O₃ Content (w/w) 26 – 31% Titrimetric
Basicity 40 – 90% (typical 45-75%) Titration
Chloride Content 8 – 12% Titrimetric
Water Insolubles ≤ 0.1% (drinking water grade) Gravimetric

SECTION 3: QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS

3.1 Drinking Water Grade Specifications

Parameter Value
Al₂O₃ Content (w/w) 28 – 31%
Basicity 40 – 90% (typical 45-75%)
pH (1% Solution, 20°C) 3.5 – 5.0
Iron (Fe) ≤ 0.01%
Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr) ≤ 1 – 5 ppm
Water Insolubles ≤ 0.1%
Chloride (Cl) 8 – 12%
Sulfate (SO₄) ≤ 0.05%
Arsenic (As) ≤ 0.5 ppm

3.2 Industrial Grade Specifications

Parameter Value
Al₂O₃ Content (w/w) 26 – 30%
Basicity 40 – 85%
pH (1% Solution) 3.0 – 4.5
Iron (Fe) ≤ 0.1%
Heavy Metals (as Pb) ≤ 50 ppm
Water Insolubles ≤ 0.5%

SECTION 4: BASICITY AND ITS IMPORTANCE

Definition: Basicity (%) = [OH⁻] / (3 × [Al³⁺]) × 100

Basicity Range Characteristics
Low Basicity (30-50%) Lower polymerization; Faster hydrolysis; Lower molecular weight; Suitable for low turbidity waters
Medium Basicity (50-75%) Balanced performance; Standard for most water treatment applications; Good floc formation
High Basicity (75-90%) High polymerization; Higher molecular weight; Higher charge density; Suitable for high turbidity and colored waters

Basicity Effect on PAC Performance:

Property Low Basicity (30-50%) Medium Basicity (50-75%) High Basicity (75-90%)
Polymerization Degree Low Medium High
Al₁₃ Content Low High Very High
Charge Density Low Medium High
Flocculation Speed Fast Medium Slow
Floc Size Small Medium Large
pH Range Stability Narrow Wide Wide
Residual Aluminium Medium Low Very Low

SECTION 5: POLYMERIZATION AND ALUMINIUM SPECIATION

5.1 Aluminium Species (Ferron Method)

Al Species Description Typical Ratio in PAC
Alₐ (Monomeric) Al³⁺, Al(OH)²⁺, Al(OH)₂⁺ < 5-10%
Al_b (Medium Polymer) Al₁₃O₄(OH)₂₄⁷⁺ (Keggin ion) 40 – 70%
Al_c (High Polymer/Colloidal) Al(OH)₃ and high polymers 20 – 50%

5.2 Polymerization Mechanism

Stage Description
1. Hydrolysis Al³⁺ + H₂O → Al(OH)²⁺ + H⁺
2. Polymerization Al(OH)²⁺ + Al(OH)²⁺ → Al₂(OH)₂⁴⁺
3. Maturation Formation of high polymer species (Al₁₃, Al₃₀)

5.3 Keggin Ion (Al₁₃) Structure:

[Al₁₃O₄(OH)₂₄(H₂O)₁₂]⁷⁺

  • Highly charged polynuclear aluminium species

  • Most effective species for coagulation

  • Pre-formed during production (not in-situ)

SECTION 6: COAGULATION MECHANISM

6.1 Basic Mechanisms

Mechanism Description Effectiveness in PAC
Charge Neutralization Cationic polymer neutralizes negatively charged particles High
Bridging (Flocculation) Polymer chains bind multiple particles Medium-High
Precipitation (Sweep) Al(OH)₃ precipitate physically captures particles High
Adsorption Organic matter attaches to polymer surface Very High

6.2 Comparison with Alum (Al₂(SO₄)₃)

Property PAC Al₂(SO₄)₃ (Alum)
Al Species Pre-polymerized (Al₁₃ etc.) Monomeric Al³⁺
Rapid Mixing Requirement Low High
pH Effective Range 5.0 – 9.0 6.0 – 7.5
pH Drop (when added to water) Low (0.1-0.5 units) High (0.5-1.5 units)
Low Temperature Performance (~5°C) Excellent Poor
Aluminium Residual (Effluent) Low (<0.1 mg/L Al) Medium-High
Sludge Volume Low (50-70% of alum) High
Dosage Requirement (as Al₂O₃) Low (30-50% of alum) High

SECTION 7: USAGE AND DOSING GUIDELINES

7.1 Solution Preparation (from Powder)

Step Description
1 Prepare clean water (ideally drinking water quality)
2 Add PAC powder slowly to water with continuous moderate stirring
3 Mix for 30-60 minutes for complete dissolution
4 Typical storage concentration: 5-10% (w/w)
5 Use immediately after stirring stops (particles may settle)

7.2 Dosage Table (Product basis, not Al₂O₃ basis)

Application Typical Dosage (mg/L product) Typical Al₂O₃ Dosage (mg/L)
Drinking Water (Low Turbidity) 5 – 15 1.5 – 4.5
Drinking Water (Medium Turbidity) 15 – 40 4.5 – 12
Drinking Water (High Turbidity) 40 – 100 12 – 30
Municipal Wastewater (Phosphorus Removal) 50 – 150 15 – 45
Industrial Wastewater 50 – 200 15 – 60
Paper Industry 100 – 500 g/ton paper 30 – 150 g/ton
Textile Wastewater 30 – 150 9 – 45

7.3 Optimum Operating Conditions

Parameter Value
Optimum pH Range 6.0 – 7.5
Effective pH Range 5.0 – 9.0
Rapid Mixing Time 1 – 3 minutes
Slow Mixing Time 10 – 20 minutes
Sedimentation Time 30 – 60 minutes
Temperature Range 2 – 40°C

SECTION 8: SECTOR APPLICATIONS - DRINKING WATER TREATMENT

8.1 Application Details

Parameter Value
Purpose Turbidity, color, organic matter removal
Typical Dosage 5 – 50 mg/L (product)
Turbidity Removal 95 – 99% (inlet <500 NTU)
Color Removal 80 – 95%
COD Removal 40 – 70%
Aluminium Residual <0.1 mg/L (WHO limit 0.2 mg/L)
Standard Compliance NSF/ANSI 60 certified (drinking water grade)

8.2 Advantages over Alum

  • Lower dosage (30-50% of alum)

  • Less sludge (50-70% of alum)

  • Lower aluminium residual

  • Wider pH range operation

  • Better low temperature performance

SECTION 9: SECTOR APPLICATIONS - MUNICIPAL & INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER

9.1 Application Details

Parameter Value
Purpose Suspended solids (SS), COD, BOD, phosphorus, heavy metal removal
Typical Dosage 50 – 200 mg/L (product)
SS Removal 85 – 95%
COD Removal 40 – 70%
Phosphorus Removal 80 – 95%
Heavy Metal Removal (Pb, Cu, Cd, Ni) 70 – 95%

9.2 Sectoral Wastewater Applications

Industry Pollutants Typical Dosage (mg/L)
Textile Dye, color, COD 30 – 150
Paper & Pulp COD, SS, color 20 – 100
Leather Chromium, COD, color 50 – 200
Metal Plating Heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Zn) 30 – 150
Food Oil, COD, SS 20 – 100
Petroleum Emulsified oils, COD 50 – 250

SECTION 10: SECTOR APPLICATIONS - PAPER INDUSTRY

10.1 Application Details

Parameter Value
Purpose Retention of fillers (calcium carbonate, clay) and pigments
Typical Dosage 100 – 500 g/ton paper (product)
Retention Efficiency Increase 10 – 30%
Cationic Demand High (neutralizes negative charge of pulp)
Synergists Cationic starch, polyacrylamide

SECTION 11: SECTOR APPLICATIONS - TEXTILE INDUSTRY

11.1 Application Details

Parameter Value
Purpose Removal of dyes, surfactants, finishing chemicals
Typical Dosage 30 – 150 mg/L (product)
Color Removal 80 – 95%
COD Removal 40 – 70%
Polymer Combination With cationic or anionic polyacrylamide

SECTION 12: SECTOR APPLICATIONS - CONSTRUCTION & CONCRETE

12.1 Indirect Uses

Application Description
Process Water in Concrete Plants Clarification and recovery of water
Aggregate Wash Water Suspended solids removal
Ready-Mix Concrete Plants Treatment of muddy water and reuse
Result Cleaner process water; Less discharge; Regulatory compliance

SECTION 13: SECTOR APPLICATIONS - OTHER INDUSTRIES

Industry Application
Food Sugar refining, process water treatment
Mining / Metallurgy Heavy metal and suspended solids removal
Chemicals Process water pretreatment, equipment protection
Oil / Gas Injection water treatment, produced water treatment

SECTION 14: COMPARISON WITH CONVENTIONAL COAGULANTS

Property PAC (Powder) Alum (Al₂(SO₄)₃) FeCl₃ Poly-DADMAC
Al/Fe Content Medium (15-17% Al) High (8-9% Al) High (20% Fe) Very Low (organic)
pH Effective Range 5.0 – 9.0 6.0 – 7.5 5.0 – 8.0 4.0 – 9.0
Basicity 40 – 90% 0% 0% Organic
Sludge Volume Low High Medium Low
Aluminium Residual Very Low High None None
Low Temperature Performance Excellent Poor Good Good
Color Removal Excellent Medium Good Poor
Phosphorus Removal Excellent Good Excellent None
Heavy Metal Removal Good Medium Excellent None
Cost Medium Low Low Medium

SECTION 15: ADVANTAGES AND REASONS FOR PREFERENCE

Advantage Description
High Coagulation Efficiency Pre-polymerized Al species (>40% Al₁₃) – rapid floc formation
Wide pH Range Effectiveness Effective at pH 5-9 (alum: pH 6-7.5)
Minimizes pH Change High basicity → pH drop <0.5 units when added to water
Low Sludge Production 30-50% less sludge volume compared to alum
Low Aluminium Residual Effluent Al <0.1 mg/L (WHO limit 0.2 mg/L)
Excellent Low Temperature Performance Effective even at ~5°C (alum is poor)
Easy Dosing No dilution required – prepare 5-10% solution
Low Dosage Requirement 30-50% less Al₂O₃ requirement compared to alum
Nitrogen & Phosphorus Removal Effective for eutrophication control
Heavy Metal Removal 70-95% removal for Pb, Cu, Cd, Ni
Long Shelf Life (Powder Form) 24 months in closed packaging
Lower Transportation Cost More concentrated compared to liquid forms

SECTION 16: LIMITATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS

Limitation Description / Solution
Powder Handling Difficulty Protect from moisture; Use appropriate dust control measures
Hygroscopic Store in closed containers; Do not expose to air for extended periods
Dissolution is Exothermic Temperature may rise – use wide-mouth containers, avoid overheating
High Alkalinity (>200 mg/L CaCO₃) Higher dosage may be required (to prevent pH rise)
Very Low Temperature (<2°C) Viscosity increase – mixing optimization may be required
Metal Equipment Corrosive – use plastic or lined equipment
Dilution Stability Dilute solutions (<5%) are not stable – use immediately

SECTION 17: SAFETY AND TOXICOLOGY

Parameter Value
Oral LD₅₀ (Rat) >5,000 mg/kg (low toxicity)
Dermal LD₅₀ (Rabbit) >2,000 mg/kg
Skin Irritation Mild irritant
Eye Irritation Irritant
Skin Sensitization Not sensitizing
Mutagenicity Negative
Carcinogenicity Not classified
Aluminium Toxicity Potential neurotoxicity at high doses (drinking water residual regulated)
Drinking Water Al Limit (WHO) 0.1 – 0.2 mg/L
Drinking Water Al Limit (EU) 0.2 mg/L

SECTION 18: SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND PPE

Hazards:

  • Acidic – causes skin and eye irritation

  • May be harmful if swallowed

  • Dust inhalation may cause irritation

Reactivity:

  • Neutralization with strong alkalis (exothermic)

  • May generate hydrogen gas upon contact with most metals

  • Acidic solution when mixed with water (exothermic)

PPE (Recommended):

  • Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene)

  • Safety goggles (EN 166)

  • Dust mask (FFP1 or N95) – in dusty environments

  • Protective clothing (acid-resistant)

Engineering Controls:

  • Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) for dusty operations

  • Dust collection systems

  • Eyewash stations

First Aid:

  • Inhalation: Remove to fresh air

  • Skin Contact: Wash with plenty of water

  • Eye Contact: Rinse with water for 15 minutes

  • Ingestion: Drink plenty of water; Seek medical attention

SECTION 19: STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE

Storage Conditions:

  • Cool, dry, well-ventilated area (5-30°C)

  • Store in original closed packaging

  • Protect from moisture and direct sunlight

  • Acid-resistant plastic containers (HDPE, PP, PVC) – DO NOT USE metal containers

  • Store separately from other chemicals (especially alkalis)

Shelf Life:

  • Original closed packaging: 12 – 24 months

  • Diluted solution: 24 – 48 hours (use immediately)

Degradation Indicators:

  • Caking (moisture absorption)

  • Darkening of color (partial hydrolysis)

  • Decrease in solubility

SECTION 20: SECTOR SUITABILITY SUMMARY TABLE

Industry Application Typical Dosage (mg/L product) Notes
Drinking Water Treatment Turbidity, color, organic removal 5 – 50 Must be NSF/ANSI 60 compliant
Municipal Wastewater Phosphorus removal, COD reduction 50 – 150 Chemical precipitation
Textile Wastewater Color removal, COD reduction 30 – 150 Effective for azo dyes
Paper Industry Retention aid, dry strength 100 – 500 g/ton paper Synergy with cationic starch
Metal Plating Wastewater Heavy metal removal (Ni, Cu, Zn) 30 – 150 Precipitation at pH 7-9
Leather Wastewater Chromium removal, COD reduction 50 – 200 pH optimization required
Food Process Water SS and organic removal 20 – 100 Food grade equipment required
Mining SS removal 50 – 200 Tailings ponds
Oil / Gas Injection water treatment 50 – 250 High salinity tolerance
Construction Process water treatment (aggregate washing) 50 – 200 Closed-loop water systems

SECTION 21: CRITICAL WARNINGS AND BEST PRACTICES

CRITICAL WARNINGS:

  • Acidic nature – causes skin and eye irritation. Wear protective equipment.

  • Hygroscopic – absorbs moisture from air. Store in tightly closed, moisture-proof containers.

  • Dissolution is exothermic – temperature may rise significantly. Add slowly to water with mixing.

  • Corrosive to metals – use plastic or lined equipment (HDPE, PP, PVC). DO NOT use metal containers.

  • Dust may cause respiratory irritation – use dust control measures and respiratory protection.

  • Incompatible with alkalis – violent neutralization reaction (exothermic). Store separately.

  • Drinking water applications – must be NSF/ANSI 60 certified. Ensure Al residual <0.2 mg/L.

  • Dilute solutions are not stable – prepare fresh and use within 24-48 hours.

  • Dosage must be optimized – jar test is mandatory for each application.

  • Overdosing – may cause aluminium residual and environmental issues.

BEST PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS:

Solution Preparation:

  • Always add PAC powder to water, never add water to PAC powder.

  • Use clean water (pH 6-7) for dissolution.

  • Use moderate stirring (200-400 rpm) – avoid vigorous mixing.

  • Allow 30-60 minutes for complete dissolution.

  • Prepare 5-10% stock solution.

  • Use fresh solutions within 24-48 hours.

Dosage Optimization:

  • Jar test is mandatory for each application.

  • Start with 5-50 mg/L for drinking water; 20-200 mg/L for wastewater.

  • Optimum dosage: largest flocs + clearest supernatant.

  • Overdosing → floc dispersion, turbid water, Al residual.

  • Factors affecting dosage: turbidity, pH, temperature, organic content.

Equipment Selection:

  • Use plastic or lined equipment (HDPE, PP, PVC) – avoid metals.

  • Use chemical-resistant pumps (peristaltic, diaphragm).

  • Use static mixers or low-shear mixing.

  • Calibrate dosing pumps regularly.

Handling:

  • Use in well-ventilated areas.

  • Avoid dust formation.

  • Use dust masks (N95/FFP2) when handling powder.

  • Use gloves and safety goggles.

  • Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

Storage:

  • Store in tightly closed, moisture-proof containers.

  • Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area (5-30°C).

  • Protect from direct sunlight, moisture, and high humidity.

  • Opened packages should be resealed immediately.

  • Do not store near alkalis or metals.

Spill Management:

  • Sweep or vacuum (HEPA) and place in suitable sealed container.

  • Avoid dust formation.

  • Do NOT wash with water (creates slippery surface, exothermic).

  • Neutralize with sodium bicarbonate or lime (if safe).

  • Do not allow entry into drains or waterways.

Disposal:

  • Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations.

  • Non-hazardous waste (powder).

  • Neutralize before disposal if required.

  • Consider recycling for liquid waste (if possible).

JAR TEST PROCEDURE FOR DOSAGE OPTIMIZATION:

Step Description
1 Prepare PAC stock solution (1% or 10 g/L)
2 Take water samples (1 L each) in 6 beakers
3 Add different dosages to each beaker (e.g., 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 mg/L for drinking water; 20, 50, 100, 150, 200, 300 mg/L for wastewater)
4 Rapid mix (200-400 rpm) for 1-3 minutes
5 Slow mix (20-40 rpm) for 10-20 minutes
6 Allow settling for 10-30 minutes
7 Observe floc formation, settling rate, and supernatant clarity
8 Select optimum dosage – largest flocs, fastest settling, clearest supernatant
9 Measure residual aluminium and pH to ensure compliance

PAC vs ALUM: PERFORMANCE COMPARISON SUMMARY

Parameter PAC Alum Advantage
Dosage (as Al₂O₃) Low High PAC
pH Range 5-9 6-7.5 PAC
Sludge Volume 50-70% of alum High PAC
Al Residual <0.1 mg/L High PAC
Low Temperature Excellent Poor PAC
Rapid Mixing Low requirement High requirement PAC
pH Drop 0.1-0.5 units 0.5-1.5 units PAC
Cost Medium Low Alum

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE:

Region Standard Aluminium Limit (mg/L)
European Union Directive 98/83/EC 0.2
USA EPA Secondary Standards 0.05 – 0.2
WHO WHO Guidelines 0.2
Turkey İçme Suyu Yönetmeliği 0.2

Certifications Required:

  • Drinking Water: NSF/ANSI 60 certification

  • Food Contact: FDA compliance, Food Grade certification

  • Cosmetics: EC 1223/2009 compliance

LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
The information provided in this document is based on our current knowledge and experience and is presented in good faith. However, as all conditions of use are beyond our control, it does not constitute a binding specification or warranty. This Technical Data Sheet is for informational purposes only. Users are responsible for testing the suitability for their own applications. For complete safety, storage, use, handling, waste, and regulatory compliance information, please refer to the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) provided by the manufacturer/supplier. Specific applications require laboratory jar tests and field trials. For drinking water applications, ensure compliance with local regulations (Al <0.2 mg/L). For food contact applications, only certified food grade products should be used.

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