Production of Industrial Coagulant (Poly Aluminium Chloride) From Used Beverage Cans

Abstract

Because of the positive contribution of aluminium products to modern living, their demands are growing steadily. The second most widely used metal is aluminium and the most recycled consumer product in the world is aluminium can. Aluminium (Al) manufacture and expenditure are considered to be two sides of a coin and both are increasing. In this work, a novel method for the reuse of aluminium scrap is proposed. The used aluminium cans are crushed into fine powders and converted to aluminium chloride (AlCl₃). The prepared AlCl₃ was used to produce poly aluminium chloride (PAC), a coagulant. This study also includes an investigation of the effect of different varying parameters such as coagulant dosage, pH of the solution, temperature and mixing speed. Using the predetermined optimal conditions coagulation-flocculation of industrial effluent was carried out, and the COD removal efficiency was calculated; and compared with that of commercially available flocculants. The cost analysis for the production of 1L of synthesised PAC and commercially available PAC is also included in this work.