Polyaluminum Chloride Hydroxide Sulfate, Aluminum Chloride Hydroxide Sulfate, Polyaluminium Hydroxychlorosulfate, PACS, PAKS, PACS10, PAKS17, 39290-78-3
POLYALUMINUM CHLORIDE HYDROXIDE SULFATE (PAKS / PACS)
Polyaluminum Chloride Hydroxide Sulfate / Polyaluminum Hydroxychlorosulfate / PAKS / PACS / PACS10 / PAKS17
CAS Number: 39290-78-3
EC Number: 254-400-7
SECTION 1: PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION AND CHEMICAL IDENTITY
| Parameter |
Information |
| Product Name |
Polyaluminum Chloride Hydroxide Sulfate |
| Other Names |
Polyaluminium Chloride Hydroxide Sulfate, PAKS, PACS, Polyaluminum Hydroxychlorosulfate |
| CAS Number |
39290-78-3 |
| EC Number (EINECS) |
254-400-7 |
| General Chemical Formula |
[Al₂(OH)ₙCl₍₆₋ₙ₎]ₓ(SO₄)ᵧ |
| Molecular Weight |
Very high due to polymeric structure (typically 5,000 – 50,000 g/mol) |
| Chemical Class |
Inorganic polymeric coagulant |
| Appearance |
Clear liquid, colorless to light beige |
| Odor |
Slight odor |
| Physical State (20°C) |
Liquid |
Polyaluminum Chloride Hydroxide Sulfate (PAKS/PACS) is an advanced inorganic polymeric coagulant used primarily in water and wastewater treatment. It consists of pre-polymerized aluminum species with high positive charge density, providing superior coagulation performance compared to traditional coagulants such as alum (aluminum sulfate). The presence of sulfate ions enhances its flocculation properties, making it effective over a wide pH range.
SECTION 2: SYNONYMS AND OTHER NAMES
| Type |
Name |
| Turkish Names |
Polialüminyum Klorür Hidroksit Sülfat, PAKS, PACS |
| English Names |
Polyaluminum Chloride Hydroxide Sulfate, Polyaluminium Chloride Hydroxide Sulfate, Polyaluminum Hydroxychlorosulfate |
| Abbreviations |
PAKS, PACS, PACS10, PAKS17 |
| CAS Number |
39290-78-3 |
| EC Number |
254-400-7 |
| HS Code |
2827.32 |
SECTION 3: CHEMICAL STRUCTURE
3.1. General Structure
| Feature |
Description |
| Polymer Type |
Cationic inorganic polymer |
| Central Atom |
Aluminum (Al³⁺) |
| Coordination |
Mixture of octahedral and tetrahedral |
| Degree of Polymerization (n) |
Typically 10–30 (average) |
| Anionic Components |
Chloride (Cl⁻), Hydroxide (OH⁻), Sulfate (SO₄²⁻) |
Simplified Structural Representation:
Cl⁻ SO₄²⁻
\ /
[Al₂(OH)ₙCl(₆₋ₙ)]ₓ (SO₄)ᵧ
/ \
OH⁻ H₂O
3.2. Aluminum Speciation (Ferron Method)
| Al Species |
Description |
Typical Ratio in PAKS |
| Alₐ (Monomeric) |
Al³⁺, Al(OH)²⁺, Al(OH)₂⁺ |
<5% |
| Al_b (Medium Polymer) |
Al₁₃O₄(OH)₂₄⁷⁺ (Keggin ion) |
40–60% |
| Al_c (High Polymer/Colloidal) |
Al(OH)₃ and high polymers |
35–55% |
3.3. Basicity and Its Significance
Definition: Basicity (%) = [OH⁻] / (3 × [Al³⁺]) × 100
Typical Basicity for PAKS: 75–85%
High Basicity Means:
-
Higher polymerization degree
-
Less acid consumption (lower pH drop when added to water)
-
More stable polymeric species
SECTION 4: PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARD VALUES
| Parameter |
Value |
Unit |
| Active Content (Al₂O₃) |
19.5 ± 0.5 |
% w/w |
| Basicity |
80 ± 5 |
% |
| Appearance |
Clear liquid, colorless to light beige |
- |
| pH (5% solution, 20°C) |
3.5 – 5.5 |
- |
| Viscosity (20°C) |
15 ± 5 |
cps (mPa·s) |
| Density (20°C) |
1.27 ± 0.01 |
g/cm³ |
| Water Solubility |
Completely soluble |
- |
| Freezing Point |
~ -10°C (dilute) |
°C |
SECTION 5: PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES
5.1. Solution Properties
| Parameter |
Value |
| Active Content (Al₂O₃) Range |
10–19.5% (commercial products) |
| pH Range (Direct) |
2.5–4.0 |
| Conductivity (20°C, 10% solution) |
~50–80 mS/cm |
| Surface Tension (20°C) |
~70–75 mN/m |
| Buffering Capacity (pH 5–8) |
High (due to polymeric structure) |
5.2. Thermal Properties
| Parameter |
Value |
| Thermal Stability |
Stable (up to 50°C) |
| Decomposition Onset |
>100°C (water loss) |
| Complete Decomposition (800°C) |
Al₂O₃ + AlCl₃ + SO₄²⁻ residue |
SECTION 6: COAGULATION MECHANISM (WATER TREATMENT)
6.1. Basic Mechanisms
| Mechanism |
Description |
Effectiveness in PAKS |
| 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 adsorbs onto polymer surface |
Very High |
6.2. Comparison with Traditional Alum (Al₂(SO₄)₃)
| Property |
PAKS |
Al₂(SO₄)₃ (Alum) |
| Al Species |
Pre-polymerized (Al₁₃, etc.) |
Monomeric Al³⁺ |
| Rapid Mixing Need |
Low |
High |
| Effective pH 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 |
| Aluminum 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: WATER TREATMENT PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS
7.1. Typical Operating Conditions
| Parameter |
Value |
| Optimal Dosage (as Al₂O₃) |
1–10 mg/L (drinking water), 10–100 mg/L (wastewater) |
| Optimal pH Range |
6.0 – 8.0 |
| Turbidity Removal |
95–99% (influent 10–1000 NTU) |
| Color Removal |
80–95% |
| Organic Matter Removal (COD/TOC) |
40–70% |
| Phosphate Removal (Total P) |
80–95% |
| Heavy Metal Removal (Pb, Cu, Cd, Ni) |
70–95% |
| Microorganism Removal |
90–99% (coagulation + filtration) |
7.2. PAKS Types and Specifications
| Type |
Al₂O₃ (%) |
Basicity (%) |
Viscosity (cps) |
pH (5%) |
Density (g/cm³) |
| PAKS 10 |
10 ± 0.5 |
70–85 |
5–10 |
3.5–4.5 |
1.15–1.20 |
| PAKS 17 |
17 ± 0.5 |
75–85 |
10–20 |
3.5–5.0 |
1.22–1.28 |
| PACS 10 |
10 ± 0.5 |
65–75 |
5–10 |
4.0–5.0 |
1.15–1.20 |
| PACS 17 |
17 ± 0.5 |
70–80 |
10–20 |
4.0–5.5 |
1.22–1.28 |
SECTION 8: APPLICATIONS – WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT
8.1. Drinking Water Treatment
| Parameter |
Value / Description |
| Application |
Turbidity, color, organic matter, iron, manganese removal |
| Typical Dosage |
1–8 mg/L (as Al₂O₃) |
| pH Adjustment |
Generally not required (wide pH range) |
| Standard Compliance |
NSF/ANSI 60 certified (select products) |
| Water Quality Improvement |
Turbidity: below 1 NTU, Color: below 5 Pt-Co |
8.2. Industrial Wastewater Treatment
| Industry |
Pollutants |
Typical Dosage (Al₂O₃) |
| Textile |
Dyes, color, COD |
20–100 mg/L |
| Paper |
COD, TSS, color |
10–50 mg/L |
| Leather |
Chromium, COD, color |
30–80 mg/L |
| Metal Plating |
Heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Zn) |
10–50 mg/L |
| Food |
FOG, COD, TSS |
10–40 mg/L |
| Petroleum |
Emulsified oils, COD |
50–150 mg/L |
8.3. Municipal Wastewater Treatment
| Parameter |
Value |
| Application |
Phosphate removal (chemical precipitation) |
| Typical Dosage |
5–20 mg/L (as Al₂O₃) |
| Phosphate Removal Efficiency |
80–95% (effluent <0.5 mg/L P) |
| COD Removal |
40–60% |
| TSS Removal |
85–95% |
8.4. Process Water and Cooling Water
| Parameter |
Value |
| Application |
TSS and phosphate control in cooling towers |
| Typical Dosage |
1–10 mg/L (as Al₂O₃) |
| Advantage |
Stable at high temperatures (up to 50°C) |
SECTION 9: OTHER INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
9.1. Paper Industry
| Parameter |
Value |
| Application |
Dye retention, resin control, paper strength enhancement |
| Typical Dosage |
0.1–1.0 kg/ton paper (as Al₂O₃) |
| Cationic Demand |
High (neutralizes negative charge of pulp) |
9.2. Textile Industry
| Parameter |
Value |
| Application |
Mordant in dye baths, color removal |
| Typical Dosage |
0.5–2 g/L (of dye bath volume) |
9.3. Mining Industry
| Parameter |
Value |
| Application |
Wastewater treatment, TSS removal |
| Typical Dosage |
10–100 mg/L (as Al₂O₃) |
9.4. Construction and Plaster Industry
| Parameter |
Value |
| Application |
Accelerator (shotcrete), waterproofing additive |
| Typical Dosage |
0.5–2% (of cement weight) |
SECTION 10: DOSING AND APPLICATION GUIDELINES
10.1. Dosage Calculation (Drinking Water)
| Turbidity (NTU) |
Recommended PAKS Dose (mg/L product) |
Recommended Al₂O₃ Dose (mg/L) |
| <10 |
5–15 |
1–3 |
| 10–50 |
15–40 |
3–8 |
| 50–200 |
40–100 |
8–20 |
| >200 |
100–200+ |
20–40+ |
10.2. Application Conditions
| Parameter |
Value |
| Dilution |
Not required – can be dosed directly (if dilution is needed, use immediately) |
| Mixing |
Rapid mixing (1–3 min), slow mixing (10–20 min) |
| Temperature |
2–40°C (optimal) |
| Dosing Point |
After the inlet point, in the rapid mixing tank |
| Polymer Support |
Combination with anionic or cationic polyacrylamide is possible |
SECTION 11: COMPARISON WITH OTHER COAGULANTS
| Property |
PAKS |
Al₂(SO₄)₃ |
FeCl₃ |
Poly-DADMAC |
| Al/Fe Content |
Medium (5–10% Al) |
High (8–9% Al) |
High (20% Fe) |
Very Low (organic) |
| Effective pH Range |
5.0–9.0 |
6.0–7.5 |
5.0–8.0 |
4.0–9.0 |
| Basicity |
70–85% |
0% |
0% |
Organic |
| Sludge Volume |
Low |
High |
Medium |
Low |
| Aluminum Residual |
Very Low |
High |
None |
None |
| Low Temperature Performance (~5°C) |
Excellent |
Poor |
Good |
Good |
| Color Removal |
Excellent |
Medium |
Good |
Poor |
| Phosphate Removal |
Excellent |
Good |
Excellent |
None |
| Heavy Metal Removal |
Good |
Medium |
Excellent |
None |
| Cost |
Medium |
Low |
Low |
Medium |
SECTION 12: QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS (TYPICAL)
| Parameter |
Limit / Value |
| Al₂O₃ Content (w/w) |
19.5 ± 0.5% |
| Basicity |
75–85% |
| pH (5% solution) |
3.5–5.5 |
| Density (20°C) |
1.27 ± 0.01 g/cm³ |
| Viscosity (20°C) |
15 ± 5 cps |
| Water Insolubles |
≤0.1% |
| Chloride (Cl⁻) |
8–12% |
| Sulfate (SO₄²⁻) |
3–6% |
| Iron (Fe) |
≤100 ppm |
| Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr) |
≤10 ppm each |
| Arsenic (As) |
≤2 ppm |
SECTION 13: TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE
| 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 a sensitizer |
| Mutagenicity |
Negative |
| Carcinogenicity |
Not classified |
| Aluminum Toxicity |
Neurotoxicity potential 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 14: GHS CLASSIFICATION
| Hazard Class |
Category |
H-Statement |
| Skin Irritation |
Category 2 |
H315 |
| Eye Irritation |
Category 2 |
H319 |
| Specific Target Organ Toxicity - SE |
Category 3 |
H335 |
Signal Word: WARNING
Hazard Pictograms: GHS07 (Exclamation Mark)
Hazard Statements (H-Codes):
| Code |
Statement |
| H315 |
Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 |
Causes serious eye irritation. |
| H335 |
May cause respiratory irritation. |
SECTION 15: PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS (P-CODES)
| Code |
Statement |
| P261 |
Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray. |
| P264 |
Wash hands thoroughly after handling. |
| P271 |
Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. |
| P280 |
Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. |
| P302+P352 |
IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water. |
| P305+P351+P338 |
IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present. |
| P337+P313 |
If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention. |
| P501 |
Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local regulations. |
SECTION 16: FIRST AID MEASURES
| Route of Exposure |
Action to Be Taken |
| Inhalation |
Move to fresh air. If respiratory irritation persists, seek medical attention. |
| Skin Contact |
Wash with plenty of soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. |
| Eye Contact |
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses. Seek medical attention. |
| Ingestion |
Rinse mouth. Drink plenty of water. Do not induce vomiting. Seek medical attention. |
SECTION 17: FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES
| Parameter |
Information |
| Fire Hazard |
Not flammable. |
| Suitable Extinguishing Media |
Water spray, CO₂, dry chemical powder, foam. |
| Special Hazards |
When heated, decomposes releasing toxic gases (HCl, SOₓ). |
| Protective Equipment |
Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), full protective clothing. |
SECTION 18: ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
| Parameter |
Information |
| Personal Protection |
Protective goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, coverall. |
| Ventilation |
Increase ventilation; use local exhaust in confined spaces. |
| Containment |
Absorb with inert material (sand, vermiculite). |
| Cleaning Methods |
Collect with absorbent material. Neutralize with lime or sodium bicarbonate before disposal. |
| Environmental Precautions |
Prevent entry into drains, sewers, and water bodies. |
| Waste Disposal |
Dispose of in accordance with local regulations. |
SECTION 19: STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE
| Parameter |
Information |
| Storage Conditions |
Store in a cool (5-30°C), dry, well-ventilated area. |
| Container Requirements |
Acid-resistant plastic containers (HDPE, PP, PVC). DO NOT use metal containers. |
| Materials to Avoid |
Freezing (freezing → polymerization degradation), direct sunlight. |
| Shelf Life |
12-24 months (in unopened original packaging). |
| Stability Note |
Diluted solutions: 7-30 days (use immediately). |
| Signs of Degradation |
Precipitate formation (aluminum hydroxide), viscosity increase or gelation, color darkening. |
SECTION 20: PACKAGING OPTIONS
| Packaging Type |
Quantity |
Material |
| Plastic Drum |
25 kg |
HDPE |
| Plastic Drum |
50 kg |
HDPE |
| IBC Tank |
1000 kg |
HDPE |
| Bulk Tanker |
20 – 25 tons |
Stainless steel / HDPE |
SECTION 21: TRANSPORT INFORMATION
| Parameter |
Information |
| UN Number |
1760 (Corrosive Liquid, N.O.S.) |
| Hazard Class |
8 (Corrosive Substance) |
| Packing Group |
III |
| Proper Shipping Name |
CORROSIVE LIQUID, N.O.S. (Polyaluminum Chloride Hydroxide Sulfate) |
| Marine Pollutant |
No |
| ADR/RID Label |
8 |
| EMS |
F-A, S-B |
SECTION 22: REGULATORY INFORMATION
| Region / Authority |
Status |
| European Union (REACH) |
Registered under EC 1907/2006. |
| USA (TSCA) |
Listed. |
| Turkey (KKDIK) |
Registered under chemical registration regulations. |
| NSF/ANSI 60 |
Certified (select products). |
| RoHS |
Compliant. |
SECTION 23: ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
| Parameter |
Value |
| Biodegradability |
Not applicable (inorganic). |
| Ecotoxicity (Fish, LC50, 96 h) |
10–100 mg/L (as Al) |
| Daphnia magna (EC50, 48 h) |
5–50 mg/L |
| Soil Toxicity |
Precipitates as Al(OH)₃, low bioavailability. |
| Waste Code (EU) |
19 08 02 (wastewater treatment sludge). |
| Disposal Method |
Neutralization → aluminum hydroxide sludge → landfill. |
SECTION 24: OTHER NAMES AND SYNONYMS
| Name |
Context |
| Polyaluminum Chloride Hydroxide Sulfate |
Chemical name |
| PAKS |
Abbreviation (Turkish) |
| PACS |
Abbreviation (International) |
| PACS10 |
10% Al₂O₃ grade |
| PAKS17 |
17% Al₂O₃ grade |
| Polyaluminum Hydroxychlorosulfate |
Alternative name |
| CAS |
39290-78-3 |
| EC |
254-400-7 |
SECTION 25: QUICK REFERENCE TABLE
| Property |
Value |
| CAS Number |
39290-78-3 |
| EC Number |
254-400-7 |
| UN Number |
1760 |
| General Formula |
[Al₂(OH)ₙCl₍₆₋ₙ₎]ₓ(SO₄)ᵧ |
| Al₂O₃ Content |
19.5 ± 0.5% |
| Basicity |
80 ± 5% |
| Appearance |
Clear liquid, colorless to light beige |
| Density (20°C) |
1.27 ± 0.01 g/cm³ |
| pH (5% solution) |
3.5 – 5.5 |
| Primary Uses |
Drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment, industrial effluent treatment |
| Shelf Life |
12-24 months |
| UN Number |
1760 |
| Hazard Class |
8 (Corrosive) |
SECTION 26: ADVANTAGES AND REASONS FOR PREFERENCE
| Advantage |
Description |
| High Coagulation Efficiency |
Pre-polymerized Al species (>40% Al₁₃) → rapid floc formation |
| Effective Over Wide pH Range |
Effective at pH 5–9 (alum: pH 6–7.5) |
| Minimizes pH Change |
Basicity 80% → pH drop <0.5 units when added to water |
| Reduced Sludge Production |
30–50% less sludge volume compared to alum |
| Low Aluminum Residual |
Effluent Al <0.1 mg/L (WHO limit 0.2 mg/L) |
| Excellent Low Temperature Performance |
Effective even at ~5°C (alum performs poorly) |
| Easy Dosing |
No dilution required – direct injection |
| Lower Dosage |
30–50% less Al₂O₃ requirement compared to alum |
| Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal |
Effective for eutrophication control |
| Heavy Metal Removal |
70–95% removal for Pb, Cu, Cd, Ni |
SECTION 27: LIMITATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS
| Limitation |
Description / Solution |
| 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 coated equipment |
| Freezing |
Polymerization degradation may occur upon freezing (do not thaw by heating) |
| Dilution Stability |
Diluted solutions are not stable – use immediately |
SECTION 28: CRITICAL NOTICES AND BEST PRACTICES
CRITICAL NOTICES:
-
Corrosive Nature: PAKS/PACS is acidic (pH 3.5–5.5) and corrosive to metals. Use plastic or coated equipment (HDPE, PP, PVC, stainless steel). Avoid carbon steel, copper, and aluminum.
-
Freezing: Do not allow the product to freeze. Freezing causes polymerization degradation and precipitation. If frozen, thaw slowly at room temperature; do not heat.
-
Dilution: Diluted solutions are not stable and should be used immediately. If dilution is necessary for dosing, use fresh dilution and apply within 24 hours.
-
Incompatibility: Incompatible with strong alkalis (neutralization is exothermic), oxidizing agents, and reducing agents.
-
Dosing: For optimal performance, conduct jar tests to determine the optimal dosage for each specific water source.
-
Aluminum Residual: Monitor aluminum residual in treated water to comply with WHO/EPA limits (0.1–0.2 mg/L).
-
pH Monitoring: Although PAKS/PACS has a wide effective pH range (5–9), monitor pH during coagulation to ensure optimal performance.
-
Storage: Store in original containers, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Keep containers tightly closed to prevent contamination.
BEST PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS:
-
Jar Testing: Always conduct jar tests to determine optimal dosage and pH for each specific water source.
-
Dosing: Use a chemical dosing pump for accurate and consistent dosing. Inject at the point of rapid mixing.
-
Mixing: Provide adequate rapid mixing (1-3 minutes) followed by slow mixing (10-20 minutes) for optimal floc formation.
-
pH Adjustment: Although PAKS/PACS has a wide pH range, adjust pH to 6.0–8.0 for best results.
-
Polymer Support: For difficult-to-treat waters, consider using an anionic or cationic polyacrylamide flocculant after PAKS/PACS dosing.
-
Quality Control: Regularly test the product for Al₂O₃ content, basicity, pH, and density to ensure consistent quality.
-
Equipment: Use corrosion-resistant materials (HDPE, PP, PVC, stainless steel) for storage tanks, dosing pumps, and piping.
-
Training: Train operators on proper handling, dosing, and safety procedures.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
This Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is for informational purposes only and is prepared based on available technical data. The user is solely responsible for determining the suitability of the product for their specific application and for complying with all local, national, and international regulations. For complete safety, storage, handling, transport, waste, and regulatory compliance information, the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) provided by the manufacturer/supplier must be consulted. This document does not substitute professional advice. Jar testing is recommended for optimal dosage determination.
