[Chemical Knowledge]：The nature, use, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of ammonium aluminum sulfate, is ammonium aluminum sulfate toxic?

Properties of ammonium aluminum sulfate

Ammonium aluminum sulfate (Aluminum Ammonium Sulfate, chemical formula (NH4)Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O) is an inorganic salt whose main components are aluminum, ammonium and sulfate ions. It has good solubility in water, but it is not easy to dissolve in alcohol solvents. Ammonium aluminum sulfate is colorless and transparent crystal at room temperature, and is hygroscopic and easy to deliquesce in air. It loses crystal water when heated and gradually becomes anhydrous.

The use of ammonium aluminum sulfate

Aluminum ammonium sulfate is widely used in many industries. In the field of water treatment, as a coagulant, it can effectively remove suspended solids and organic impurities in water and improve the clarity of water. In the paper industry, it is used as a sizing agent to enhance the hardness and water resistance of paper. Ammonium aluminium sulphate is also used as an aid in the tanning industry to improve the flexibility and durability of leather. In the textile industry, it is used as a dyeing aid to improve the adhesion and dyeing uniformity of dyes. In the laboratory, it is often used to produce other aluminum compounds and catalysts.

Upstream raw materials

The main raw materials for the production of aluminum ammonium sulfate include sulfuric acid, aluminum ores (such as bauxite) and ammonia. The production process of aluminum ammonium sulfate usually extracts aluminum from bauxite, reacts with sulfuric acid to produce aluminum sulfate, and then reacts with ammonia to produce aluminum ammonium sulfate. Bauxite is calcined and dissolved at high temperature to obtain alumina, and then reacts with sulfuric acid to generate aluminum sulfate. Next, aluminum sulfate reacts with ammonia gas to form aluminum ammonium sulfate, which is finally crystallized, filtered and dried to obtain a finished product.

Downstream Products

The downstream products of ammonium aluminum sulfate mainly involve water treatment agents, paper additives and tanning additives. In the field of water treatment, ammonium aluminum sulfate is processed into various forms of coagulants for different water quality and treatment requirements. In the paper industry, ammonium aluminum sulfate is further processed into a sizing agent to meet the production needs of different paper. In the tanning industry, ammonium aluminum sulfate is used to prepare different types of tanning aids to improve the quality and characteristics of leather.

Storage method

Ammonium aluminum sulfate requires special attention to its hygroscopicity and deliquescence during storage. It is recommended to store ammonium aluminum sulfate in a dry, well-ventilated warehouse to avoid contact with moisture. It should be stored in isolation from flammable materials and strong reducing agents to avoid chemical reactions. For long-term storage, the integrity of the packaging should be checked regularly to prevent moisture. The storage environment temperature should be kept within the normal temperature range to avoid the loss of crystal water caused by high temperature.

Market Analysis

The market demand for ammonium aluminum sulfate is mainly affected by the development of the downstream industry. Water treatment, papermaking and tanning industries are the main consumption areas of ammonium aluminum sulfate, and the development of these industries directly determines the market demand for ammonium aluminum sulfate. In recent years, with the improvement of environmental protection requirements, the demand for efficient and safe coagulants in the water treatment industry has increased, providing a good development opportunity for the ammonium aluminum sulfate market. The technological upgrading and product diversification needs of the paper industry have also promoted the steady growth of the ammonium aluminum sulfate market. Nevertheless, there are certain competitive pressures in the market, especially from other alternatives.

Price Trend

The price of ammonium aluminum sulfate is affected by the cost of raw materials, production process and market supply and demand. In recent years, due to the price fluctuations of raw materials such as bauxite and sulfuric acid, as well as the requirements of environmental regulations on the production process, the production cost of aluminum ammonium sulfate has increased. The growth of market demand has also pushed up product prices to a certain extent. With the continuous progress of production technology and the appearance of scale effect, the price of ammonium aluminum sulfate is expected to stabilize in the future.

Environmental protection and safety

In the production and application of ammonium aluminum sulfate, environmental protection and safety issues cannot be ignored. The waste water and waste gas generated in the production process need to be strictly treated to avoid pollution to the environment. Operators are required to wear appropriate protective equipment to prevent skin and respiratory tract irritation from ammonium aluminum sulfate. In the application process, attention should be paid to control the dosage to avoid excessive use leading to secondary pollution. Waste ammonium aluminum sulfate should be treated in accordance with relevant regulations to ensure environmental protection and safety.

Summary

As an important inorganic salt, ammonium aluminum sulfate has a wide application prospect. Its good physical and chemical properties make it play an important role in water treatment, papermaking and tanning industries. With the enhancement of environmental awareness and the continuous development of related industries, the market demand for ammonium aluminum sulfate is expected to maintain steady growth. In the future, further optimizing the production process, reducing costs and improving environmental protection and safety standards will be an important direction for the development of the ammonium aluminum sulfate industry.