Alum (Ferric)

Applications:

Water Treatment: Ferric alum is widely used as a coagulant in water treatment plants. It helps in the removal of impurities and suspended particles by promoting the aggregation of particles for easier filtration.

Paper Industry: It is used in papermaking as a sizing agent, helping control the absorption of ink and improving the paper’s quality.

Leather Tanning: Ferric alum is employed in the leather industry for tanning hides, contributing to the stabilization and preservation of leather.

Mordant in Dyeing: It acts as a mordant in textile dyeing, helping fix dyes to fabrics.

Coagulation Process: In water treatment, ferric alum works by destabilizing the charged particles in water, causing them to clump together (coagulation). These larger particles can then be easily removed through sedimentation or filtration.

Safety Considerations: While ferric alum is generally considered safe for its intended uses, like any chemical, it should be handled with care. It is important to follow proper safety precautions, including wearing protective gear, when working with ferric alum.