Universal Chemicals

Headland Development Site
Yardley Road
Kirkby Industrial Estate
Knowsley
Liverpool
L33 7SS
UK

Tel: 0151 549 1071
Fax: 0151 546 8803
Email: Universal Chemicals

Click on a link...

Home Page

Sodium Aluminate Liquor

Aluminium Chloride

Alumina chemicals

Granular Zeolites

Supported Metal catalysts. Raney type

Chemical Recovery related to inorganics

Picture Gallery

Interpretation of reaction of alum and sodium aluminate in water treatment

Videos

sodium aluminate powder Vs sodium aluminate liquor

Paper
This site has been optimised for Netscape 2 and above at 800x600 screen resolution.

Sodium Aluminate Powder Vs Sodium Aluminate Liquor

Sodium aluminate liquor PW Grade (PW = Potable Water)


SODIUM ALUMINATE LIQUOR (PW Grade)

Sodium aluminate liquor PW grade from Universal Chemicals is made from prime materials to a consistent formulation which is generally known as 20/20.
Use is in the water,paper and chemical industries. This formulation was developed by Universal Chemicals and is now a standard grade based on nominal percentages of soda and alumina both a 20% by weight.
Universal Chemicals liquor is non-sedimentary and wholly inorganic in content. It does not contain organic matter for example carbohydrates deliberately added in order to stabilise the formulation and which form trace haloforms or other organics in water.
All other liquid aluminates contain stabiliser. These are applied for various reasons making the use of such aluminates prohibitive in water treatment and doubtful in industrial applications such as papermaking where effluents are generated.
Direct dosing of the liquor with flash mixing is recommended for simplicity of operation.
Storage in unlagged tanks of mild steel or plastic constructions is satisfactory. Freezing has not been experienced with the material in UK winter conditions.


A note to all Water Authorities concerned with trends in potable water problems and treatment.

Our work is concerned with current and potential development in the field of sodium aluminate liquor.

Quality

This formulation was developed by Universal Chemicals and is now a standard grade based on nominal percentages of soda (Na2O) and alumina (Al2O3) both at 20% by weight.

Universal Chemicals liquor is non-sedimentary and wholey inorganic in content. It does not contain organic matter for example carbohydrates deliberately added in order to stabilise the formulation and which form trace haloforms or other organics in water.

All other liquid aluminates contain stabiliser. These are applied for various reasons making the use of such aluminates prohibitive in water treatment and doubtful in industrial applications such as papermaking where effluents are generated.

Direct dosing of the liquor with flash mixing is reccommended for simplicity of operation.

Storage in unlaced tanks of mild steel or plastic construction is satisfactory. Freezing has not been experienced with the material in UK winter conditions.



Technical Developments

In 1976 when ICI ceased manufacture of powder the users of aluminate were put in doubt about supplies. the cost on alumina basis, relative to alum, was some five times higher. This tended to detract from aluminates use.

ICI's withdrawal further reduced interest considerabl because of lack of supply surety. The approach to aluminate in UK water treatment applications and developments have consequently remained on the shelf.

The use in potable water treatment declined in consequence, during this period when there have been discoveries concerning aluminates advantages. The downturn in interest together with a dearth of research effort in the UK has meant no practical plant investigations of the advances have been made.




Use in opposition to alum or ferric salts


Areas for investigation by the water treatment chemist usually involve the application of aluminate in opposition to alum or ferric salts. Techniques are varied according to circumstances.

Points of interest here are;

1. Flotation applications

The use of aluminate liquor in opposition to alum and feric salts reduces floc density by up to 40% thereby increasing the flotation characteristics of the floc.

The plant must be correctly designed and operated for reduced floc density to be achieved by air entrapment in the floc forming process.

The mechanism is determined by correct design features, and the application of flocculants at the right dosing point, to take advantage of opposition applications.

2. Sedimenation

The reduction in floc density does not occur here as there is no high pressure injection of air simultaneous with floc formation. Density of alum and ferric salt flocs in pH dependant

pH control is facilitatedby the use of sodium aluminate the anionic character of the aluminate ion 'buffering' the effect of the naturally occuring inorganics. These can prevent steady pH control a difficult proposition when lime or caustic salts are used to neutralise the pH depression produced by alum or ferric salts.

The results in sedimentation plants are determined by the processes in the floc blanket. There is little information on the nature of the mechanisms involved in the feature. It is evident that the effectiveness of this important filtration mechanism is determined by the conditioning of the floc before it enters the blanket.

3. Virus removal by entrapment

Sheldon and Drewery examined the effect of various coagulants inorganic and organic chemical combinations in the labratory. The Zinder strain (f2 bacteriophage) was selected to test effects. This work indicated the best result was obtained by using aluminae in opposition to alum. The highest removal of the virus - 99.89% was achieved with this formulation.

4. Residual metals in all waters

The minium levels of all metals including aluminium and iron are achieved by pH control at around pH7.

Practical trials have shown that where alkalies such as caustic soda are used to neutralise acid effluents heavey metal content is reduced by substituing alkaline aluminate liquor for aprt of the neutralising alkali, usually caustic soda or lime. Residual metals are reduced by a factor of 10. For example, casutic soda only achieves around 10 ppm residuals. Application of aluminate achieves levels below 1 ppm. Where pH control is not precise the use of aluminate achieves even higher percentage reductions of residual metals.



Neutralisation of acid surface waters

The incidence of acidity and its degree s undoubtedly increaseing in surface derived supplies. Stimultaneous breakdown of soil humus also occurs in these cases. Sodium aluminate liquor will perform the dual function of neutralising and flocculating in these cases.



Floc blankets

The use of aluminate in opposition to alum or ferric salts involves the same considerations in terms of practical applications.

What is not known are the optimum conditions for realisation of optimum performance.

Flocculation by alum or ferric has not recieved wide study particularly if the character of flocculation blanket produced and its effect on the clarification process. There are also aspects recently brought to the fore which have not been quantified.



Sodium Aluminate LiquorPW GRADE
HIGHEST QUALITY Potable water and pharmaceutical grade.



IRON FREE - NEAR WATER WHITE
INSTANTLY PROPORTIONABLE
LOW COST - STABLE SOLUTION


Concentrated sodium aluminate liquors of a high alumina content have not been previously available in the UK. A liquid eliminates the health hazard of dusty powders.


CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Alumina - 20% by weight Al2O3
Soda - 20% by weight, Na2O
Density - 1.467


Quality

Commercial sodium aluminate liquors vary widely in their quality characteristics and the suitability of the material for bulk reception and storage may depend on this aspect.

Quality factors apply to the production of fine paper and high grade chemicals.

Universal Chemicals material is near water white quality and has very good flow properties. The low level of material impurities in solution and suspension means that it is colour free, and stable.

TREAT WATERS OF EFFLUENTS AND MAKE PAPER SAFELY & CLEANLY WITH ALUMINA CHEMISTRY.

DOSE DIRECT FROM DRUMS OR BULK TANKS



Viscosity/ Temperature C Viscosity (typical)- Centipoise UNIVERSAL CHEMICALS Viscosity (typical)- Centipoise COMPETITIVE
10
275
858
20
180
440





Fluidity

In the feeding of systems by wither gravity or pump the viscosity data indicates that Universal Liquor will give 21/2 to 3 times the supply rate.



Non - Sedimentary

The non-sedimentary nature of the liquor also reduces the need or tank and pipe cleaning.



Method of Analysis

Details of these are provided for customers who wish to maintain their own chemical control. Several methods are available.



Stability of Sodium Aluminate Liquors

These notes summarise a problem, which has been studied in detail by Universal Chemicals both in the laboratory and during 2 years commercial use. The following points are made to prevent misunderstandings by customers examining samples, particularly those examining aluminate liquors for the first time.

1. The sample submitted is a NON-STABILISED material.
2. It has a storage time of about 12 months minimum in average summer conditions in the UK. That is a maximum temperature of 25°C.
3. After 3 to 6 months, a small amount of solid may separate particularly at a higher temperature. A hazy supernatant may develop simultaneously.
4. The supernatant liquor is still utilisable in this state as only about ½% solids will have separated.
5. Storage under warmer conditions than 25°C may cause further accelerated precipitation. Store tanks should be designed avoiding excessive heat or 'hot spots'.
6. The addition of water causes considerably increased rates of precipitation usually after 24 hours. Solution prepared for precision tests should be used on the same day.
7. USE NEAT AND PROTECT OUTDSIDE STORAGE TANKS FROM THE INGRESS OF RAINWATER TO PREVENT PRECIPITATION.
8. DO NOT RINSE OUT TANKS OF ALUMINATE LIQUOR WITH WATER. RESIDUAL WATER WILL CAUSE PRECIPITATES.


Approval tests should be completed within two months of receipt of samples.

Any queries regarding rapid analytical methods, stabilisation procedures and other grade of material should be referred to Universal Chemicals.

Stabilised aluminates may be necessary where dilution is essential and details can be supplied.