CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Atharv Wankhede, student of
class XII has successfully completed the
investigatory project of chemistry on the topic of
“Preparation of Potash Alum from scrap Aluminum”
for the partial fulfilment of AISCEE as prescribed by
CBSE in the year 2023-24 under the guidance of
Mrs. Sonali Bose, P.G.T (Chemistry), Sandipani
School, Hazaripahad, Nagpur.
Signature of Teacher Signature of Principal
Signature of External Examiner
DECLARATION
The undersigned hereby declare that the record file
of chemistry submitted by me is based on actual
work carried out by me under the guidance of Mrs.
Sonali Bose.
Any reference to the work done by any other person
or institute or any material obtained from other
sources have been duly signed and referenced. It is
further to state that this work is not submitted
anywhere else in any examination.
Thanking you
Yours Faithfully: Atharv Wankhede
Place: Date:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This project could successfully be accomplished
with the help and support of many people who have
owned upon me their blessings and support.
I want to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to
our Principal, Mrs. Bharti Bijwe, for her
encouragement and the facilities and help that she
provided for this project work. I want to extend my
hearty thanks to Mrs. Sonali Bose, Chemistry
teacher, who guided and helped me to the successful
completion of the project.
Finally, yet importantly I would like to thank my
parents, friends and peers who helped me to carry
out this project work successfully.
PREFACE
I am pleased to submit project work in
chemistry for class XII. I am grateful to
C.B.S.E for introducing project in chemistry.
The project has given me ample opportunity to
explore varied areas of chemistry; thus
increased my understanding of concepts
studied.
This has resulted in enhancing my analytical,
interpreting, and creative skills.
This project is strictly according to the
guidelines given by C.B.S.E
Why did I choose this project?
Potash Alum is an important and one of the most
popular coagulants used in the treatment of water,
especially in low-colored water because of its low
density, high tensile strength resistance to corrosion
and its high conductivity. It is also used as fire-
retardant, blocking chemicals, etc.
Alum is used for dyeing purposes as it forms a
permanent link between fibers and dyes.
As I found this topic interesting and as I was keen to
explore and learn more about alum, I chose this
project.
Aim
To prepare Potash Alum from scrap aluminum.
Potash Alum
Materials Required
The following items are required for the experiment:
-
1)Funnel
2)Beaker
3)Scrap aluminum or soda can.
4)Caustic Potash (KOH)
5)6M Sulphuric Acid(H2SO4)
6)Water bath
7)Ethanol
8)250ml flask
INTRODUCTION
Potash alum is an important member of alum which
is one of the most popular coagulants used in water
treatment, especially in low-colored water.
Aluminum because of its low density, high tensile
strength and resistance and resistance to corrosion is
widely used for the manufacture of airplanes,
automobiles lawn furniture as well as for aluminum
cans. Being good conductor of electricity, it is used
for transmission of electricity. The recycling of
aluminum cans and other aluminum products is a
very positive contribution to save our natural
resources. Most of the recycled aluminum is melted
and recast into other aluminum metal products or
used in the production of various aluminum
compounds, the most common of which are the
alums.
R-2SO4.M2(SO4)3.24H20
Where, ‘R’ is the monovalent cation (Na, K) and
‘M’ is the trivalent cation (Al, Fe, Cr)
THEORY
Aluminum metal is treated with hot aqueous KOH
solution. Aluminum 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 on small excess of
H2SO4 and heating.
2KOH (aq) + H2SO4(aq) → 2Al (OH)3(s) + 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 crystallite 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
2KOH (aq) + H2SO4(aq) → 2Al (OH)3(s) + K2SO4(aq) +
2H2O(l)
2Al (OH)3(s) + 3H2SO4(aq) → Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 6H2O(l)
K2SO4(aq) + Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 24H2O(l) →
K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3.24H2O(s)
PROCEDURE
Clean a small piece of scrap aluminum with steel
wood and cut it into very small pieces. Aluminum
foil may be taken instead of scrap aluminum.
Put the small pieces of scrap aluminum or aluminum
foil (about 1.00g) into a conical flask and add about
50 ml of 4M KOH solution to dissolve the
aluminum.
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 the aluminum reacts.
Filter the solution to remove any insoluble
impurities and reduce the volume to about 25 ml by
heating.
Allow the filter to cool. Now add slowly 6M H2SO4
until insoluble Al (OH)3 just forms in the solution.
Gently heat the mixture until 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.
Index
SANDIPANI
Project Report
2023-2024
Chemistry
Class:XII
Submitted by:
Name: - Atharv Wankhede
Roll No: -1245/Science
