PAC Powder
Al₂(OH)ₙCl₆₋ₙ
Polyaluminium chloride (PAC) powder is a spray-dried aluminium coagulant supplied as a yellow crystalline powder with 28-30% Al₂O₃. It serves the same coagulation, clarification and DAF de-oiling duties as liquid PAC while offering compact solid handling, a 24-month shelf life and lower freight per unit of active content. CHIMI ART supplies it from Egypt in 25 kg and 50 kg bags or in bulk.
Product Overview
Polyaluminium chloride (PAC) powder is a spray-dried aluminium coagulant supplied as a yellow crystalline powder with 28-30% Al₂O₃. It serves the same coagulation, clarification and DAF de-oiling duties as liquid PAC while offering compact solid handling, a 24-month shelf life and lower freight per unit of active content. CHIMI ART supplies it from Egypt in 25 kg and 50 kg bags or in bulk.
Technical Specifications
- Chemical Formula
- Al₂(OH)ₙCl₆₋ₙ
- CAS Number
- 1327-41-9
- Appearance
- Yellow to light-yellow crystalline powder
- Concentration
- 28-30% Al₂O₃
- Specific Gravity
- 0.9-1.1 (bulk)
- pH Range
- 3.5-5.0 (1% solution)
- Solubility
- Water soluble
- Available Packaging
- 25kg bags · 50kg bags · Bulk
- Shelf Life
- 24 months
- Storage Conditions
- Dry, cool place
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | Al₂(OH)ₙCl₆₋ₙ |
| CAS Number | 1327-41-9 |
| Appearance | Yellow to light-yellow crystalline powder |
| Concentration | 28-30% Al₂O₃ |
| Specific Gravity | 0.9-1.1 (bulk) |
| pH Range | 3.5-5.0 (1% solution) |
| Solubility | Water soluble |
| Available Packaging | 25kg bags · 50kg bags · Bulk |
| Shelf Life | 24 months |
| Storage Conditions | Dry, cool place |
Applications
Dosing Guidelines
Dissolve the powder in clean water to make a 5-10% working solution before dosing, using non-metallic mixing and storage equipment. Typical application rates are 10-100 mg/L expressed as Al₂O₃, set for each water by jar testing against settled turbidity and floc quality. Dose the working solution with a chemical-resistant metering pump at a point of vigorous mixing, and prepare fresh solution regularly — ideally daily — for consistent activity. Re-check the optimum dose when raw-water quality changes.
How It Works
When PAC powder is dissolved, it releases the same pre-formed polynuclear aluminium hydroxide species as liquid PAC: highly charged polycations that adsorb onto negatively charged colloids, neutralise their surface charge, and bridge particles together into flocs. Additional aluminium hydroxide precipitates at the point of dosing and sweeps fine particles out of suspension as it settles. Because the aluminium is already partially hydrolysed, the coagulant consumes less alkalinity than alum, produces a smaller pH depression, and builds floc rapidly even in cold water. The concentrated active content of the powder form means a small mass of product treats a large volume of water once made down into solution. Jar testing determines the working dose and coagulation pH for each specific water.
Usage Tips
Store PAC powder in a dry, cool place in tightly sealed bags; correctly stored, shelf life is 24 months. The powder is hygroscopic and will cake if it takes up moisture, so reseal opened bags, keep pallets off damp floors, and rotate stock. Control dust when charging make-down tanks: wear gloves, eye protection and a dust mask, and avoid inhalation. Use non-metallic or lined equipment for dissolving and dosing, since the acidic solution corrodes carbon steel and aluminium.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is PAC powder a better choice than liquid PAC?
Choose the powder where freight distances are long, storage space is limited, or a 24-month shelf life matters: the solid packs 28-30% Al₂O₃ into bags that store compactly without tank farms or freeze protection. Liquid PAC suits plants that prefer direct feed without make-down equipment. Both deliver the same coagulation chemistry once in solution.
How do I prepare a working solution from PAC powder?
Charge clean water into a non-metallic make-down tank with a mixer, add the powder gradually to avoid clumping, and stir until fully dissolved to a 5-10% working solution. Prepare fresh solution regularly — ideally daily — and dose it with a chemical-resistant metering pump at a point of vigorous mixing.
What does the 28-30% Al₂O₃ content mean in practice?
Al₂O₃ content is the standard measure of active aluminium in a PAC product. At 28-30%, the powder carries roughly two to three times the active content of a typical liquid PAC per unit weight, which reduces packaging, freight and storage per tonne of treatment capacity. Dosing calculations should always be expressed as Al₂O₃ so products can be compared on an equal basis.
In what pack sizes is PAC powder supplied?
PAC powder ships in 25 kg and 50 kg bags, or in bulk for larger contracts. Stored dry, cool and tightly sealed, shelf life is 24 months. Every delivery includes a certificate of analysis, with Technical and Safety Data Sheets available from the product page or on request.
Does dissolved PAC powder behave differently from liquid PAC in treatment?
Once dissolved, the powder releases the same pre-formed polynuclear aluminium species and follows the same coagulation chemistry — charge neutralisation, bridging and sweep flocculation. Site results can still differ slightly with water chemistry and solution age, so jar test the working solution on your own water rather than transferring a dose directly from a liquid-PAC installation.
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