What Is Aluminum Chlorohydrate?

Aluminium chlorohydrate (CAS 12042-91-0) is an inorganic polymeric compound that appears as a white or slightly yellowish solid powder. It is readily soluble in water, forming a colourless, transparent liquid. A 50% solution has a specific gravity of 1.33–1.35 g/mL (at 20°C). The aqueous solution is corrosive. As a highly polymerised solution of polyaluminum chloride, its aluminium oxide content reaches 23% (liquid) or 46%–50% (solid), with a basicity of 83%–90%. It possesses high cationic charge characteristics and can effectively coagulate within a pH range of 5–9.5. It is primarily used as a flocculant in drinking water treatment, where it enhances turbidity removal rates, TOC removal efficiency, and heavy metal removal capacity. In industrial applications, it is used for wastewater decolorisation, phosphorus removal, heavy metal treatment, and sludge reduction. In the papermaking industry, it serves as a retention aid and anionic debris remover. It can also be used as a raw material for antiperspirants in cosmetics, a refractory additive for graphite products, and a solidifying agent for precision casting. Corrosion-resistant non-metallic containers must be used for transportation and storage.

How Is Aluminium Chlorohydrate Made?

Aluminium chlorohydrate (CAS 12042-91-0), commonly abbreviated as ACH, is typically produced by reacting an aluminium source (such as aluminium hydroxide, aluminium oxide, or metallic aluminium) with hydrochloric acid under controlled temperature and pH conditions. Aluminium hydroxide, aluminium oxide, or metallic aluminium powder is mixed with hydrochloric acid in a specific stoichiometric ratio and reacted under conditions of heating and stirring, with strict control of the temperature and pH during the reaction to ensure a high basicity (typically reaching 83%–90%). Hydroxyl-bridged polymerisation forms an inorganic polymer complex. After filtration and concentration, a colourless, transparent liquid hydroxyaluminum chloride is obtained. By processing the liquid product through methods such as spray drying, a white, powdered solid form of hydroxyaluminum chloride can be further produced.

Properties

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Risk and Safety Statements

What Is Aluminium Chlorohydrate Used For?

ACH is primarily used as a flocculant in standard water treatment processes for purified water, drinking water, and domestic water supply. This product is synthesised through a multi-step process using pure aluminium and food-grade hydrochloric acid. Its quality standards comply with the U.S. Pharmacopoeia (USP-34) and European Union (EC) standards, far exceeding China’s GB 15892-2009 standard for drinking water treatment. It is an internationally recognised drinking water treatment agent.

ACH is used as a solidifying agent and flame retardant in precision casting moulds; for decolorisation of textile dyeing wastewater; in the pharmaceutical, rubber, leather, petroleum, and chemical industries; as an aluminium-zirconium cross-linking agent and coupling agent; as a raw material in cosmetics and resin manufacturing; and as an additive in graphite products, where it increases the aluminium content and enhances the graphite products’ refractoriness and other physical and chemical properties.