Preparation of Potash Alum from

Scrap Aluminium

INDEX
Sl.n Content Page
o
1. Introduction

2. Aim

3. Materials Required

4. Theory

5. Procedure

6. Observation

7. Conclusion

8. References
INTRODUCTION

Potash alum, also known as potassium aluminium sulphate, is a

commonly used chemical with a
wide variety of applications. It is
used in the food industry as a
leavening agent and pickling
agent, in the textile industry
and in the paper industry as a
sizing agent. Potash alum can
also be used in water purification and in the production of other
chemicals. The chemical formula of potash alum is
K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3.24H2O.
Traditionally, potash alum is produced from the mineral alunite.
However, alunite is not a renewable resource and its mining can
have negative environmental impacts. As a result, there has been
growing interest in the development of more sustainable methods
for the production of potash alum.
One promising method for the production of potash alum is from
scrap aluminium. Scrap aluminium is
a readily available and relatively
inexpensive material. It is also a much
more sustainable source of aluminium
than alunite.
In this project, we will investigate the
feasibility of using scrap aluminium to produce potash alum. We
will develop a process for the preparation of potash alum from
scrap aluminium and we will evaluate the yield and purity of the
product.
AIM

To prepare potash alum from scrap aluminium

MATERIALS REQUIRED

 Scrap Aluminium (Aluminium Foil)

 Potassium hydroxide solution (KOH)
 6 M Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4)
 250 ml flask
 Funnel
 Beaker
 Water Bath
 Ethanol
THEORY

Preparing potash alum from scrap aluminium involves a

series of chemical transformations. Aluminium metal is
heated with hot aqueous Potassium Hydroxide (KOH),
forming Potassium Aluminate (KAl (OH)4).
2Al(s) + 2KOH (aq) + 6H₂O → 2ΚΑΙ (ΟΗ)4(aq) + 3H2
Potassium aluminate solution on treatment with dil. Sulphuric
acid first gives precipitate Al (OH)3, which dissolves on
addition of small excess of H2SO4 and heating.
2KOH (aq) + H2SO4(aq) → 2Al (OH)3 + K2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
2Al (OH)3 (S) + 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
When a solution containing two inorganic salts in a
definite proportion is allowed to crystallize a double slat is
said to have separated. The name alum is given to the
special series of double salts. Aluminium is the most
abundant metal and the recycling of aluminium products
by melting and recasting into other metal products is used
in the production of various aluminium compounds. In that
one of the most useful compounds is potash alum.
REACTIONS

2Al(s) + 2KOH (aq) + 6H₂O → 2ΚΑΙ (ΟΗ)4(aq) + 3H2

2KOH (aq) + H2SO4(aq) → 2Al (OH)3 (5) + K2SO4(aq) + 2H2O

2Al (OH)3 (S) + 3 H2SO4(aq) → Al2(SO4)3(aq) +6H₂O

K2SO4(aq) + Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 24H₂O →

K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3. 24H2O

PROCEDURE:

 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.
 Put the small pieces of scrap aluminium or aluminium
foil (about 1.00g) into a conical flask and add about 50
ml of 4 M KOH solution to dissolve the aluminium.
 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.
 Continue heating until all of the aluminium reacts.
 Filter the solution to remove any insoluble impurities
and reduce the volume to about 25 ml. by heating.
 Allow the filtrate to cool. Now add slowly 6 M
H2SO4 until insoluble Al (OH)3 just forms in the
solution.
 Gently heat the mixture until the Al (OH)3 precipitate
dissolves.
 Cool the resulting solution in an ice-bath for about 30
minutes whereby alum crystals should separate out. For
better results the solution may be left overnight for
crystallization to continue.
 In case crystals do not form the solution may be further
concentrated and cooled again.
 Filter the crystals from the solution using vacuum pump,
wash the crystals with 50/50 ethanol-water mixture.
 Continue applying the vacuum until the crystals appear
dry.
 Determine the mass of alum crystals.
OBSERVATIONS

We thus obtain well-defined octahedral crystals of potash

alum formed.

Mass of aluminium metal = ___________ g

Mass of potash alum = ___________ g

Theoretical yield of potash alum = ___________ g

Percent yield = ___________ %

CONCLUSION

The experiment successfully prepared potash alum from scrap

aluminium. The crystals obtained were well-formed and
matched the expected octahedral shape of potash alum
crystals. This demonstrates that scrap aluminium can be a
viable source for the production of potash alum, offering a
more sustainable alternative to traditional methods.

REFERENCES

byjus.com
studocu.com
unacademy.com
testbook.com
scribd.com
academia.edu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=GRDZoBk8lFI&t=135s
https://www.studymode.com/essays/Preparation-
Of-Potash-Alum-From-Scrap-1354765.html