[Chemical Knowledge]：Properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of aluminum hydroxide, introduction of aluminum hydroxide

Aluminum hydroxide basic properties

Aluminum hydroxide (chemical formula: Al(OH)) is an inorganic compound, usually in the form of a white powder. It has amphoteric, can react with acid to produce aluminum salt, can also react with alkali to produce aluminate. The solubility of this compound is low, but it has high solubility in strong acids and strong bases. Aluminum hydroxide is stable at room temperature and dehydrates to form aluminum oxide (Al₂ O∩) when heated. It has a Mohs hardness of 2.5-3 and a density of about 2.42g/cm³. Due to these unique properties, aluminum hydroxide has a wide range of applications in many fields.

The main use of aluminum hydroxide

Aluminium hydroxide has important uses in both industrial and medical fields. It is an important intermediate in the production of aluminum salts and aluminum compounds. In the water treatment process, aluminum hydroxide is used as a flocculant to remove suspended solids and organic impurities. Aluminum hydroxide is widely used as a flame retardant in plastics, rubber and cable materials to slow down the combustion process by releasing moisture. In the medical field, aluminum hydroxide is used as an antacid to relieve symptoms caused by excessive stomach acid. Aluminum hydroxide is also used to prepare abrasives in toothpaste, as well as fillers and adsorbents.

Aluminum hydroxide upstream raw material

The main raw material for the production of aluminum hydroxide is bauxite. The bauxite is processed by the Bayer Process, and is first treated with an alkaline solution at high temperature and high pressure to dissolve aluminum oxides therein to form a sodium aluminate solution. Then, aluminum hydroxide crystals were precipitated from the sodium aluminate solution by cooling and dilution. The chemical reaction of the process is as follows: [\text{Al(OH)} 3 \text{NaOH} \rightarrow \text{Na[Al(OH)} 4]] [\text{Na[Al(OH)} 4] \rightarrow \text{Al(OH)} 3 \text{NaOH}]

Aluminum hydroxide downstream products

The downstream products of aluminum hydroxide are very rich, including various aluminum salts, catalysts, flame retardants, antacids, etc. Aluminum salts such as aluminum sulfate and aluminum chloride are widely used in water treatment, papermaking and tanning industries. Catalysts are mainly used in the field of petrochemical and organic synthesis. Flame retardants are widely used in building materials, cables, electrical appliances, automobiles and other industries. Aluminum hydroxide as an antacid in the pharmaceutical industry also has an important position, used in the preparation of stomach and digestive drugs.

Aluminum hydroxide storage method

The storage of aluminum hydroxide requires attention to moisture and pollution prevention. Its powder is easy to absorb moisture, if long-term exposure to humid environment, will affect its quality. Therefore, aluminum hydroxide should be stored in a dry, ventilated, dark warehouse, and the storage environment should be kept cool, avoid high temperature and direct sunlight. The package shall be packed in bags or barrels with good sealing to prevent moisture. In the process of transportation, should prevent packaging damage and leakage, avoid mixing with strong acid, strong alkali and other chemicals.

Production process and technical progress

The production process of aluminum hydroxide is mainly based on Bayer method, which has the advantages of maturity and stability. However, with the advancement of technology, new production processes such as carbonation and electrolysis have gradually attracted attention. The carbonation method uses carbon dioxide to react with sodium aluminate solution to generate aluminum hydroxide, while the electrolysis method directly obtains aluminum hydroxide by electrolyzing sodium aluminate solution. These new methods have certain advantages in energy consumption and environmental protection, but still need further research and optimization.

Market Analysis and Development Prospects

The market demand for aluminum hydroxide continues to grow, mainly due to the promotion of environmental protection policies and the expansion of downstream applications. Especially in the flame retardant market, aluminum hydroxide as an environmentally friendly flame retardant material, its demand is increasing year by year. With the rapid development of water treatment, pharmaceutical and other industries, the application of aluminum hydroxide in these fields is also expanding. In the future, with the improvement of production technology and the development of emerging applications, the aluminum hydroxide market is expected to continue to maintain steady growth.

Conclusion

As an important inorganic compound, aluminum hydroxide has become a key material in many industries due to its unique properties and wide range of uses. Through the detailed analysis of its properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials and storage methods, it can be seen that aluminum hydroxide plays an important role in modern industry and medical treatment. In the future, with the technological progress and the continuous change of market demand, the application prospect of aluminum hydroxide will be broader. The continuous research and innovation of aluminum hydroxide will provide new possibilities for its application in more fields.