Ferric Chloride Water Treatment

Ferric chloride: Catalyst, flocculant, etchant—essential in numerous industrial processes.

Ferric Chloride Water Treatment

Ferric chloride is an inorganic compound with the formula FeCl3. It is a dark brown, corrosive, and water-soluble solid commonly used as a flocculant, coagulant, and etchant.

What is Ferric Chloride?​

Ferric chloride is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula FeCl3. It is a dark brown, corrosive, and water-soluble solid. Ferric chloride is commonly used as a flocculant, coagulant, and etchant in various industrial and laboratory applications. It is also used in water treatment, wastewater treatment, metal surface treatment, and as a catalyst in certain chemical reactions.

Ferric Chloride Uses

  1. Water Treatment: Widely used in water and wastewater treatment to remove impurities, forming insoluble precipitates.

  2. Etching: Applied in electronics manufacturing and PCB production for copper removal and circuit pattern creation.

  3. Coagulant and Flocculant: Used in water treatment to aggregate fine particles for easier removal and aid in clumping suspended solids.

  4. Sewage Treatment: Added in sewage treatment to assist in phosphorus removal and odor control.

  5. Metal Surface Treatment: Employed in metal etching, finishing, and cleaning.

  6. Catalyst: Used as a catalyst in chemical reactions, including dye, pharmaceutical, and perfume production.

  7. Pigment and Ink Production: Utilized for coloration and stability in pigments and inks.

  8. Laboratory Reagent: Used in chemical labs for various tests and experiments.

Ferric Chloride Manufacturing Process

  1. Iron Ore or Iron Scraps: The source materials for producing ferric chloride are iron ore (typically iron oxide) or iron scraps.
  2. Roasting: The initial step involves roasting iron ore or iron scraps in the presence of oxygen, converting them into iron oxide (Fe2O3).
  3. Chlorination: Subsequently, the iron oxide is subjected to chlorination using chlorine gas (Cl2) at elevated temperatures. This reaction yields ferric chloride (FeCl3) and chlorine dioxide gas (ClO2).
  4. Purification: The obtained ferric chloride is often impure, containing substances like water, iron oxide, and other metals. To refine it, the solution typically undergoes processes such as filtration, precipitation, and crystallization.
  5. Concentration: The purified solution is concentrated to enhance the concentration of ferric chloride. This can be achieved through techniques like evaporation or other concentration methods.
  6. Drying: The concentrated solution then undergoes further treatment to eliminate excess water, usually employing drying methods such as spray drying or vacuum drying. This results in the formation of solid ferric chloride crystals.
  7. Packaging: The dried ferric chloride crystals are packaged and readied for distribution and utilization. Packaging is commonly conducted using containers that are corrosion-resistant and moisture-resistant.

Ferric Chloride Properties

  • Physical state: Solid (dark brown/orange-brown crystals or powder)
  • Solubility: Highly soluble in water
  • Corrosiveness: Corrosive to metals
  • Odor: Pungent odor
  • Hygroscopicity: Absorbs moisture from the environment
  • Density: Approximately 2.9 g/cm³
  • Melting Point: Around 307 °C (585 °F)
  • Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
  • pH: Acidic (pH 1-2)
  • Chemical Reactivity: Strong Lewis acid, undergoes redox reactions
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