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Synthesis of Potash Alum from Waste Aluminum Foil and Aluminum Scrap

N. R. Ekere, J. N. Ihedioha and Agwogie Aiyehirue Bright

The synthesis of potash alum from aluminum foil and aluminum scraps was carried out in this study. The aluminum wastes were dissolved in pota ssium hydroxide to form a complex aluminate. The solution was filtered and sulphuric acid was then added to the aluminate, heated and the resulting product was cooled in an ice bath. The analysis of the sy nthesized alum confirmed the presence of potassium, aluminum, sulphate, water of crystallization and a melting point of 92 o C. The yield from aluminum foil was 15.35 g (76%) and aluminum scrap was 12.74 g (63%). The synthesized alum was found to be more effective than the commerci ally available alum in the treatment of muddy and waste water from fast food industry. The synthesized alum reduces the turbidity level of the muddy and waste water from fast food industry (1839 and 2305 NTU) to 169 (90.8%) and 34 NTU (98.5%) respectively, while the commercial alum in muddy water with initial turbidity level of 1839 NTU was reduced to 221 NTU (88%) and the turbidity level in waste water from fast food industry was reduced from 2305 NTU to 74 NTU (96.8%). The use of synthesized alum in water treatment is more efficient, economical and eco-friendly compared to the commercial available alum.