Introduction to the Topic “Preparation of Potash

Alum from Scrap Aluminium”

Aluminium is used for the manufacture of aeroplanes, automobiles, lawn furniture as

well as for aluminium cans because of its low density, high tensile strength and

resistance and resistance to corrosion. Being a good conductor of electricity it is

used for transmission of electricity also. It is also used for making utensils. The

recycling of aluminium cans and other aluminium products is a very positive

contribution to saving our natural resources. Most of the recycled aluminium is

melted and recast into other aluminium metal products or used in the production of

various aluminium compounds, the most common of which are the alums. Alums are
double sulphates having general formula

X2SO4.M2(SO4)3.24H2O - X = Monovalent cation; M = Trivalent cation

Some important alum and their names are given below:

K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3.24H2O - Potash Alum

Preparation of Potash Alum :

Na2SO4.Al2(SO4)3.24H2O - Soda Alum

K2SO4.Cr2(SO4)3.24H2O - Chrome Alum

(NH)2SO4.Fe2(SO4)3.24H2O - Ferric Alum

Potash alum is used in fire extinguishers, food stuffs, papermaking and in purification

of water. Soda alum used in baking powders and chrome alum is used in tanning
leather and water proofing fabrics.
In addition to these primary uses, alum is also used as :

(i) An astringent a substance or preparation that draws together or constricts body

tissues and is effective in stopping the flow of blood or other secretions. Alum has
also been used by conventional hairdressers for treating shaving cuts.

(ii) A mordant substances used in dyeing to fix certain dyes on cloth. Either the

mordant (if it is colloidal) or a colloid produced by the mordant adheres to the fiber,

attracting and fixing the colloidal mordant dye. The insoluble, colored precipitate that
is formed is called a lake. Alum is a basic mordant used for fixing acid dyes.

(iii) For the removal of phosphate from natural and waste waters the aluminium

ions of alum combine with the orthophosphate around pH 6 to form the solid
aluminum hydroxy phosphate which is precipitated and ;

(iv) For fireproofing fabrics The major uses of alums are based on two important

properties, namely precipitation of Al(OH)3 and those related to the acidity created by
the production of hydrogen ions.

Al(H2O)6+3 → Al(OH)3 ↓ + 3H2O + 3H+

The H+ ions generated are used foe reacting with sodium bicarbonate to release
CO2. This property is made use of in baking powder and CO2 fire extinguishers.

Requirements for Experiment :

 250 ml flask

 Funnel

 Beaker
 Scrap aluminium or cola can
  Potassium hydroxide solution (KOH)

 6 M Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4)

 Water Bath
 Ethanol

Theory

Aluminium metal is treated with hot aqueous KOH solution. Aluminium dissolves as
potassium aluminate,

KAl(OH)4, salt.

2Al(s) + 2KOH(aq) + 6H2O(l) → 2KAl(OH)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 (s) + K2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)

2Al(OH)3 (s) + 3 H2SO4(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(s)

Reactions
2Al(s) + 2KOH(aq) + 6H2O(l) → 2KAl(OH)4 (aq) + 3H2
K2SO4(aq) + Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 24H2O(l) → K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3. 24H2O(s)

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

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

K2SO4(aq) + Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 24H2O(l) → K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3. 24H2O(s)

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

 Mass of aluminium metal =…………….g

 Mass of potash alum =…………....g

 Theoretical yield of potash alum =……………g

 Percent yield =……………%

Result

From the above study and theory we can say that potash alum was prepared from
aluminium scrap.

Introduction
Growth of microorganisms in a food material can be inhibited by adding certain chemical
substances. However the chemical substances should not be harmful to the human beings. Such
chemical substances which are added to food materials to prevent their spoilage are known as
chemical preservatives. In our country, two chemical preservatives which are permitted for use
are:
1. Benzoic acid(or sodium benzoate)
2. Sulphur dioxide(or potassium bisulphite)
Benzoic acid or its sodium salt, sodium benzoate is commonly used for the preservation of food
materials. For the preservation of fruits, fruit juices, squashes and jams sodium benzoate is used
as preservative because it is soluble in water and hence easily mixes with the food product.
Potassium bisulphite is used for the preservation of colourless food materials such as fruit juices,
squashes, apples and raw mango chutney. This is not used for preserving coloured food
materials because Sulphur dioxide produced from this chemical is a bleaching powder.
Potassium bisulphite on reaction with acid of the juice liberates Sulphur dioxide which is very
effective in killing the harmful micro-organisms present in food and thus prevents it from getting
spoiled.
HSO3–(aq) + H+(aq) H2O(l) + SO2(g)
The advantage of this method is that no harmful chemical is left in the food.
The aim of this project is to study the effect of potassium bisulphite as food preservative.
i. At different temperatures.
ii. At different concentrations and
iii. For different intervals of time.

Materials
1. Beaker, pestle and mortar, glass bottles, balance and peeler.

2. Fresh fruits, potassium bisulphite and sugar.

Theory
Food materials undergo natural changes due to temperature, time and enzymatic action and
become unfit for consumption. These changes may be checked by adding small amounts of
potassium bisulphite. The effectiveness of KHSO3 as preservative depends upon its
concentration under different conditions which may be determined experimentally.

Procedure:
1. Take fresh fruits, wash them thoroughly with water and peel off their outer cover.
2. Grind it to a paste in the mortar with a pestle.
3. Mix with sugar and colouring matter.
4. The material so obtained is fruit jam. It may be used to study the effect of concentration of
sugar and KHSO3, temperature and time.

(A) Effect of concentration of Sugar: -

1. Take three wide mouthed reagent bottles labeled as I II III.
2. Put 100 gms of fruit jam in each bottle.
3. Add 5.0 gms, 10.0 gms and 15.0 gms of sugar to bottle No. I, II and III respectively.
4. Add 0.5 gm of KHSO3 to each bottle.
5. Mix contents thoroughly with a stirring rod.
6. Close the bottle and allow them to stand for one week or 10 days at room temperature.
7. Observe the changes taking place in Jam every day.

Result
The increase in concentration of sugar causes deterioration of fruit jam due to growth of fungus.
(B) Effect of concentration of KHSO3:–
1. Take bottles labeled as I, II, III.
2. Put 100 gm of Jam in each bottle.
3. Add 5.0 gm of sugar to each bottle.
4. Add 1.0 gm, 2.0 gm and 3.0 gm of KHSO3 to bottle No. I, II and III respectively.
5. Mix the contents thoroughly with a glass rod.
6. Keep all the bottles at room temperature for about 10 days and observe the changes everyday

Result:
The increase in concentration of KHSO3 increase more time of preservation
(C) Effect of temperature: –
1. Take 100 gm of Jam in three bottles lebelled as I, II and III.
2. Add 10.0 gm of sugar and 1.0 gm of KHSO3 to each bottle.
3. Mix the contents thoroughly with a stirring rod.
4. Keep bottle No. I in the refrigerator at 0˚C, bottle No. II at room temperature (25˚C) and bottle
No. III in a thermostat at 50˚C. Observe the changes taking place in the jam for 10 days.

Result:
The increase in Temperature causes fast fermentation of jam

(D) Effect of time: –

1. Take three bottles and label them as I, II and III.
2. To each bottle add 25 g of Jam and 1 g of potassium bisulphite.
3. Keep bottle I for 7 days, bottle II for 14 days and bottle III for 21 days at room temperature.
4. Note the changes taking place in each bottle and record the observations.

Result:
With increase of days, the quality of the jam deteriorates

Conclusion:
Food containing more amount of sugar is not favorable to keep for a long time Potassium
bisulphite is a good preservative.
There are a number of uses for potassium bisulfite as a food preservative. The Manitoba
Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives reports this product works to prevent the growth of mold,
yeast and bacteria in foods. It is also an additive for homemade wine. Potassium bisulfate is
found in some cold drinks and fruit juice concentrates. Sulfites are common preservatives in
smoked or processed meats and dried fruits. In spray form, it may help prevent foods from
discoloring or browning.
Potassium bisulfite is primarily a commercial product. You might find this chemical compound at
meat processing plants. Manufacturers of juice drinks and concentrate will use potassium
bisulfite to increase the shelf life of their products. The preservative is also available for home
use. Sulphites such as potassium bisulfite can trigger an attack for those with asthma. potassium
bisulfite may cause lung irritation.