Aluminium Chlorohydrate (ACH)
Product Description
Aluminium Chlorohydrate (ACH) is a highly concentrated inorganic aluminium-based coagulant used primarily for water and wastewater treatment. It is a pre-polymerized aluminium salt with high aluminium content and high basicity, providing efficient coagulation and flocculation over a relatively broad operating pH range.
ACH works by neutralizing the electrical charge of suspended and colloidal particles, allowing them to combine into larger flocs that can be removed through sedimentation, flotation or filtration.
Compared with conventional aluminium salts such as aluminium sulphate, ACH can provide lower dosage requirements, reduced sludge generation and less impact on treated-water pH and alkalinity, depending on the water characteristics and treatment process.
Aluminum chlorohydrate is a compound used as an antiperspirant. Aluminum chlorohydrate is a group of water-soluble aluminum complexes with the general formula AlnCl(3n-m)(OH)m. It is included up to 25% in over-the-counter hygiene products as an active antiperspirant agent.
Applications
Aluminium Chlorohydrate is commonly used for:
- Drinking-water treatment
- Municipal wastewater treatment
- Industrial effluent treatment
- Raw-water clarification
- Turbidity and suspended-solids removal
- Colour reduction
- Clarification prior to filtration
- Paper and pulp processing
- Textile wastewater treatment
- Industrial process-water treatment
- Sludge conditioning
- Oil and grease removal in suitable wastewater systems
Application & Dosage
ACH can normally be dosed neat or diluted with clean water before injection. It should be introduced at a location providing rapid initial mixing, followed by sufficient flocculation time.
The optimum dosage depends on turbidity, suspended solids, organic loading, pH, alkalinity and treatment objectives. Laboratory jar testing is recommended to establish the most economical dosage for each water source.
For wastewater applications, ACH can also be used in combination with a suitable polyacrylamide flocculant such as RXSOL PAM Emulsion 1630 where larger floc formation and improved settling or dewatering are required.
Typical Properties – Liquid Grade
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Aluminium Chlorohydrate |
| Abbreviation | ACH |
| Appearance | Clear to slightly hazy liquid |
| Colour | Colourless to pale yellow |
| Aluminium Oxide (Al₂O₃) | Typically 23–24%* |
| Basicity | Typically 80–85%* |
| Specific Gravity @ 20–25°C | Approx. 1.30–1.35* |
| pH (1% solution) | Approx. 3.5–5.0* |
| Solubility | Completely soluble in water |
| Ionic Character | Cationic |
| Primary Function | Coagulant / flocculant |
*Values depend on the specific commercial grade and should be confirmed against the final product COA.
Key Benefits
ACH provides rapid coagulation and strong floc formation, helping improve clarification and filtration performance. Its high basicity generally results in lower alkalinity consumption and smaller pH reduction compared with some conventional aluminium coagulants.
It is particularly useful where efficient treatment is required with compact chemical dosing, reduced sludge production and good performance across changing raw-water conditions.
