Inorganic coagulants

Inorganic coagulants are both cost-effective and applicable for a broad variety of water and wastewater. Inorganic coagulants are particularly effective on raw water with low turbidity and will often treat this type of water when organic coagulants cannot.

Once added to water, the inorganic coagulants form aluminium or iron precipitates. These absorb impurities in the water as they fall, serving to clean the water. This process is known as the ‘sweep-floc’ mechanism. However, a downside of metal hydroxide precipitate sweep-floc is that they add to the overall sludge volume that must be treated and removed.

Examples of inorganic coagulants are as below:

Aluminum Sulfate (Alum) – One of the most commonly used water treatment chemicals in the world. Alum is manufactured as a liquid, from which the crystalline form is dehydrated.

Aluminum Chloride – A second choice to Alum as it is more expensive, hazardous and corrosive.
Polyaluminum Chloride (PAC) & Aluminum Chlorohydrate (ACH)

Ferric Sulfate & Ferrous Sulfate – Ferric sulfate is the more commonly used, but ferrous sulfate is typically used in applications where a reducing agent or excess soluble iron ions are required. Iron coagulants work similarly to aluminum coagulants but the cost may vary based on the local source of supply.

Ferric Chloride – The least expensive inorganic coagulant, as it is generated as a waste material from steel making operations. However, it’s by far the most corrosive and hazardous inorganic coagulant, and its use is limited to facilities equipped to handle it safely.

Blends of organic and inorganic coagulants

Organic Coagulants VS Inorganic Coagulants
Chemical coagulants used in wastewater treatment fall into two main families: organic and inorganic.

This blend brings the advantages of both the organic and the inorganic coagulants

We supply a range of Flocculants and Coagulants. For more information or advice, please get in touch. Contact:

TIAN@CHEM.NET