Alum has been part of our lives ever since the time of early Egyptians, who used it in dyeing and purification. Today, it is one of the most widely used and versatile industrial chemicals.
Most of the alum produced today is used in the pulp & paper industry as well as water and wastewater treatment. It is inexpensive and effective for a broad range of treatment problems because it can function as a coagulant, flocculants, precipitant and emulsion breaker. As a coagulant and flocculants, alum removes turbidity, suspended solids and colloidal color, reduces biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and clarifies potable, process and wastewater.
The main uses of alum are:
· Water treatment: used as a coagulant to remove suspended solids and or some metals (e.g. Cr, Ba, Cu) from water (either drinking water or in waste treatment facilities)
· Paper sizing: used as a rosin sizing control in paper production, affects the drainage of liquor from the paper
In addition to the primary uses in the pulp & papermaking industry and for water and wastewater treatment, alum is also used in:
Cellulosic insulation
Additive to Cellulosic insulation
Clay manufacturers
China clay beneficiation
Dyes
Mordant for dyes
Grease manufacturers
Manufacture of aluminum soaps and greases
Industrial wastewater treatment
Sewage and industrial wastewater treatment, emulsion breaking
Manufacture of alumina trihydrate and printing inks
Manufacture of alumina trihydrate for lakes and color extenders
Municipal wastewater treatment
Clarification and phosphorus removal
Potable and process water treatment
Color and turbidity removal
Pulp and paper mills
Process water and mill effluent treatment. Paper sizing
Soap manufacturers
Manufacture of glycerin from soap lyes
Swimming pools, oil well operators, manufacturers
Water treatment
Tanneries
Tanning furs and white leathers
Zeolite and catalyst manufacturers
Manufacture of Zeolite and aluminosilicate catalysts and carriers
