INDEX
Sr. No. Content Page No.
1. Introduction 1
2 Aim & Requirement 2
3 Theory & Reactions 3
4 Procedure 4
5 Observation 5
6 Result 5
7 Reference 6
INTRODUCTION
Aluminium because of its low density, high tensile strength and resistance to
corrosion is widely used for the manufacture of Aeroplanes. automobiles lawn furniture as
well as for Aluminium cans. Being good conductor of electricity, it is used for transmission of
electricity. Aluminium is also used for making utensils. The recycling of Aluminium cans and
other Aluminium products is very positive contribution to saving our natural resources. Most
of the recycled Aluminium is melted and recast into other Aluminium metal products or used
in the production of various Aluminium compounds, the most common of which are the
alums. Alums are double sulphates having
General Formula ---X2SO4.M2(SO4)3.24H2O
X = Monovalent cation, M = Trivalent cation
Some important alums and their names are given below:
K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3.24H2O – Potash Alum
Na2SO4.Al2(SO4)3.24H2O - Soda Alum
K2SO4.Cr2(SO4)3.24H2O - Chrome Alum
(NH)2SO4Fe2(SO4)3,24H2O -Ferric Alum
Potash alum is used to papermaking, in fire extinguishers, in food stuffs and in
purification of Water soda alum used in baking powders and chrome alum is used in tanning
leather and water proofing fabrics.
* In addition to these primary uses, alum is also used as –
1)An astringent- A substance or preparation that draws together or constricts body tissues
and is effective in stopping the flow of blood or other secretions. Alum has also been used by
conventional hairdressers for treating shaving cuts.
2) A Mordant substance used in dyeing to fix certain dyes on cloth. Either the mordant (if it
is colloidal) or a colloid produced by the mordant adheres to the fiber, attracting and fixing
the colloidal mordant dye. The insoluble, colored precipitate that is formed is called a lake.
Alum is a basic mordant used for fixing acid dyes.
3) For the removal of phosphate from natural and waste waters the Aluminium ions of
alum combine with the orthophosphate around pH 6 to form the solid Aluminium hydroxy
phosphate which is precipitated.
4) For fireproofing fabrics – The major uses of alum are based on two important properties,
namely precipitation of Al (OH)3 and those related to the acidity created by the production of
hydrogen ions.
Aim:
To prepare potash alum from scrap aluminium
Requirements:
250 ml conical flask
Funnel
Measuring cylinder
Tripod stand
Glass rod
Wire gauze
Balance
Scrap aluminium
1N Potassium hydroxide solution (KOH)
2N Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4)
Water Bath
Ethanol
THEORY
Aluminium metal is treated with hot aqueous KOH solution.
Aluminium dissolves as potassium aluminate, KAl(OH)4, salt.
2Al(l) + 2KOH (aq) + 6H2O 2KAL(OH)4(aq) + 3H2
Potassium aluminate solution on treatment with dil. Sulphuric acid first
gives precipitate Al (OH)3, which dissolves on adding of small excess of
H2SO4and heating.
2KOH (aq) + 3H2SO4(aq) 2Al (OH)3(l) + K2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
2Al (OH)3(l) + 3H2SO4(aq) Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 6H2O(l)
The resulting solution is concentrated to near saturation and cooled.
On cooling crystals of potash alum crystallize out.
K2SO4(aq) + Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 24H2O(l) K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3. 24H2O(l)
REACTIONS
2Al(l) + 2KOH (aq) + 6H2O(l) 2KAl (OH)4(aq) + 3H2
K2SO4(aq) + Al2(SO)3(aq) + 24H2O(l) K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3.24H2O(l)
2Al (OH)3(l) + 3H2SO4(aq) Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 6H2O(l)
2KOH (aq) + H2SO4(aq) 2Al(OH)3(l) + K2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
K2SO4(aq) + Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 24H2O(l) K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3.24H2O(l)
PROCEDURE
1. Clean a small piece of scrap Aluminium with steel wool and cut it into
very small pieces. Aluminium foil may be taken instead of scrap
Aluminium.
2. Put the small pieces of scrap Aluminium or Aluminium foil (about
1.00g) into a conical flask and add about 50 ml of 1N KOH solution to
dissolve the Aluminium.
3. The flask may be heated gently in order to facilitate dissolution. Since
during this step hydrogen gas is evolved this step must be done in a
well-ventilated area.
4. Continue heating until all of the Aluminium reacts.
5. Filter the solution to remove any insoluble impurities and reduce the
volume to about 25ml by heating.
6. Allow the filtrate to cool. Now add slowly 50 ml 2N H2SO4 until
insoluble Al (OH)3 just forms in the solution.
7. Gently heat the mixture until the Al (OH)3 precipitate dissolves.
8. Cool the resulting solution in an ice-bath for about 30 minutes
whereby alum crystals should separate out. For the better results the
solution may be left overnight for crystallization to continue.
9. In case crystals do not form the solution may be further concentrated
and cooled again.
10. Filter the crystals from the solution using vacuum pump. Wash the
crystals with 50/50 ethanol -water mixture.
11. Continue applying the vacuum until the crystals appear dry.
12. Determine the mass of alum crystals.
OBSERVATION
Mass of aluminium metal = 2.39 g
Mass of potash alum = 4.797 g
Theoretical yield of potash alum = 5.43 g
Percent yield = 88%
RESULT
Potash alum of 88% yield was prepard from aluminium scrap.
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