Description

Aluminium sulphate, also known as alum, has several major uses in various industries and applications, including:

1. Water treatment: Alum is commonly used in water treatment plants as a coagulant to remove impurities such as suspended particles, organic matter, and bacteria from water. It helps to make the impurities clump together, which can then be easily removed by filtration.
2. Paper manufacturing: Alum is used in the paper manufacturing industry to control the pH of the pulp and to improve the paper’s strength and brightness. It helps to bind the fibres together and makes the paper more resistant to water.
3. Textile industry: Alum is used in the textile industry to fix dyes and to make fabrics more fire-resistant. It can also be used as a mordant, which helps the dyes to bind to the fabric.
4. Tanning industry: Alum is used in the tanning industry to remove hair and other impurities from animal hides before they are processed into leather.
5. Chemical industry: Alum is used as a raw material in the chemical industry to produce other compounds such as aluminium hydroxide and aluminium oxide.
6. Medicinal uses: Alum has astringent properties and can be used topically to treat minor cuts, wounds, and skin irritations. It is also a component of some antiperspirants.

Overall, aluminium sulphate or alum has several important uses in various industries and applications due to its coagulating, fixing, and fire-resistant properties.