Product Forms

A.Solid Aluminum Sulfate

Solid Aluminum Sulfate is commonly supplied as:

• Flakes
• Granules
• Powder
• Lumps / Kibbled material

The appearance can range from white or off-white to grayish or slightly colored depending particularly on iron content and grade.

For industrial water-treatment grades, Al₂O₃ content, iron content, water-insoluble matter and particle size are among the principal purchasing parameters.

B.Liquid Aluminum Sulfate

Liquid Aluminum Sulfate is supplied as an aqueous solution and is commonly used where direct dosing into water-treatment systems is preferred.

Liquid grades can offer operational advantages by eliminating the need for dissolving solid material before dosing. Commercial specifications typically define the concentration in terms of Al₂O₃, together with insoluble matter, iron and pH.

Typical Technical Specifications

Note: Specifications can vary by manufacturer, grade, application and applicable national standard. The following represents typical commercial parameters rather than a single universal specification.

Solid — Water Treatment Grade

• Al₂O₃: typically ≥ 15.5–17.0%
• Iron (Fe): typically ≤ 0.5–0.7% for low-iron grades
• Water Insoluble Matter: typically ≤ 0.10–0.20%
• pH (1% aqueous solution): ≥ 3.0
• Appearance: White, off-white, grayish flakes, granules or powder
• Particle Size: According to customer requirement
• Moisture / Water Content: According to applicable grade and standard

Non-ferric / iron-free grades can have substantially lower iron specifications, with some commercial specifications targeting Fe levels around 0.005% or lower.

Source: Shandong Sanfeng – Aluminum Sulfate Water Treatment Standard | Qingdao Sinosalt – Aluminum Sulfate

Liquid — Water Treatment Grade

Typical commercial specifications may include:

• Al₂O₃: approximately 7.8–8.0% or higher, depending on grade
• Iron (Fe): typically ≤ 0.25%
• Water Insoluble Matter: typically ≤ 0.15–0.20%
• pH: ≥ 3.0
• Appearance: Clear to slightly colored aqueous solution
• Concentration: According to customer dosing and handling requirements

Drinking-water specifications can require significantly more detailed limits for contaminants and trace elements, so the required standard should be confirmed before supply.

Key Quality Parameters

For commercial sourcing, the most important parameters are generally:

1. Al₂O₃ Content

Al₂O₃ content is one of the primary commercial indicators of Aluminum Sulfate concentration and grade.

Water-treatment specifications commonly reference values around 15.5–17% Al₂O₃ for solid material, while liquid products are generally specified at lower concentration levels.

2. Iron Content

Iron content is particularly important where the final application requires a cleaner or lighter-colored product.

Two broad commercial categories are often encountered:

• Low-Ferric / Low-Iron Aluminum Sulfate
• Non-Ferric / Iron-Free Aluminum Sulfate

Non-ferric grades can be specified at very low Fe levels compared with conventional low-iron grades.

3. Water Insoluble Matter

Low insoluble content supports efficient dissolution and reduces undissolved residue during water-treatment applications.

Commercial water-treatment specifications commonly set limits around 0.1–0.2%, although the actual requirement depends on the applicable standard and customer specification.

4. pH

Aluminum Sulfate solutions are acidic. Industrial specifications commonly specify a minimum pH around 3.0 for a 1% aqueous solution.

5. Particle Size

For solid products, particle size can be customized according to handling and dosing equipment.

Flakes, kibbled material, granules and powder are all commercially available.

Packaging

Depending on product form, grade and destination market, Aluminum Sulfate may be supplied in:

• 25 kg bags
• 50 kg bags
• 500 kg–1,000 kg Jumbo Bags
• Bulk containers
• Liquid bulk / tanker delivery

For solid material, moisture-resistant packaging is important because Aluminum Sulfate can absorb moisture and may cake during prolonged exposure to humid conditions.

Final packaging should be confirmed according to:

• Destination
• Shipping method
• Storage conditions
• Customer handling system
• Solid particle size
• Required shelf-life / quality-control conditions

Handling & Storage

Aluminum Sulfate should be stored in a dry, cool and well-ventilated area, protected from moisture and incompatible materials.

For solid grades:

• Keep packaging tightly closed.
• Protect from humidity and direct water exposure.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to atmospheric moisture.
• Store on a suitable surface away from potential contamination.
• Prevent dust generation during handling.
• Inspect material for caking or moisture ingress before use.

Dust can irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory tract, while concentrated or laboratory-grade materials may carry stronger corrosive classifications. Appropriate PPE should therefore be selected according to the product’s SDS and concentration.

Source: PubChem – Aluminum Sulfate | Sigma-Aldrich – Aluminum Sulfate SDS

Transportation & Export Considerations

The transport classification of Aluminum Sulfate can depend on the specific product formulation, concentration, applicable transport regulations and SDS.

Some SDS classifications for Aluminum Sulfate products identify:

• UN Number: UN 3077
• Proper Shipping Name: Environmentally Hazardous Substance, Solid, N.O.S.
• Transport Class: 9
• Packing Group: III

However, UN 3077 should not using as a universal classification for every Aluminum Sulfate product. The final transport status must be confirmed from the supplier’s current SDS and the applicable ADR/IMDG/IATA requirements before shipment.

For international sourcing, the commercial HS heading is:

HS Code: 283322 — Sulphates; of aluminium

National tariff schedules may extend this six-digit code into additional digits

Grades Available

Aluminum Sulfate can be commercially offered in several grades according to application.

Low-Ferric / Low-Iron Grade

Designed for general industrial and water-treatment applications where iron content must be controlled but an ultra-low iron specification is not required.

Non-Ferric / Iron-Free Grade

Designed for applications requiring very low iron content. Typical commercial specifications can require Fe around 0.005% or lower.

Water Treatment Grade

Optimized for coagulation and flocculation applications, with specifications focused on Al₂O₃ concentration, insoluble matter, iron and contaminant limits.

Industrial Grade

Used for industrial processes where the exact purity requirements depend on the application.

Important: Grade selection should be based on the customer’s process and required specification rather than simply the product name.

Commercial Supply Formats

Solid Aluminum Sulfate

• Flakes
• Granules
• Powder
• Kibbled / Lumps

Liquid Aluminum Sulfate

• Standard aqueous solution
• Application-specific concentration

The preferred form depends on the customer’s dosing equipment, storage capacity, logistics and required concentration.

Product Advantages

• Established inorganic coagulant for water treatment
• Suitable for municipal and industrial applications
• Available in solid and liquid forms
• Available in low-iron and non-ferric grades
• Flexible particle-size options for solid products
• Suitable for large-scale industrial supply
• Established global trade product with standardized HS classification

Sourcing & Purchasing Considerations

When sourcing Aluminum Sulfate, the following points should be confirmed before quotation:

1. Solid or liquid form
2. Required Al₂O₃ content
3. Low-ferric or non-ferric grade
4. Maximum Fe content
5. Water-insoluble matter limit
6. Required particle size
7. Application — drinking water, wastewater, paper or industrial
8. Required regulatory standard
9. Packaging
10. Monthly / annual quantity
11. Destination port
12. Required documentation and COA parameters

For potable-water projects, the specification finalize around the applicable drinking-water standard rather than using a generic industrial Aluminum Sulfate specification.

Looking to source Aluminum Sulfate for your water treatment or industrial application?

Contact our team to discuss your required grade, specification, packaging and destination. If you need a technical specification, COA review or sourcing support, our team can help identify the appropriate supply option for your project.