- ▸ Drinking water: turbidity and natural-organic-matter removal at low residual aluminum.
- ▸ Municipal & industrial wastewater: primary coagulation, phosphorus removal, clarification.
- ▸ Paper: retention, sizing and pitch control.
- ▸ Oil/water separation and process-stream solids removal.
A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
Request SDS →- Polyaluminium chloride (PAC) is a pre-hydrolyzed aluminum coagulant — it works over a wider pH range, forms floc faster, and consumes less alkalinity than alum.
- Specify by basicity (%) and Al₂O₃ content — liquid grades (~10% Al₂O₃) and spray-dried powder (~28–30% Al₂O₃).
- Used for drinking-water clarification, municipal and industrial wastewater, and paper — typically at lower dose and with less sludge than alum.
Polyaluminium chloride (PAC, PACl) is the modern workhorse coagulant for water and wastewater treatment. Because the aluminum is already partially hydrolyzed, PAC delivers charge neutralization and bridging faster than aluminum sulfate, performs across a broader pH band, and leaves less residual aluminum and sludge. RawSource supplies liquid and spray-dried PAC across basicity grades, in bulk and to specification.
What is polyaluminium chloride?
PAC is a pre-hydrolyzed inorganic coagulant with the general form Alₙ(OH)ₘCl₍₃ₙ₋ₘ₎ (representative CAS 1327-41-9). Pre-hydrolysis means the reactive aluminum species are formed during manufacture rather than in your basin, so coagulation starts immediately and is less dependent on water temperature and alkalinity. The degree of pre-hydrolysis is expressed as basicity — higher basicity generally means faster floc and less alkalinity consumption.
PAC vs alum
| Polyaluminium chloride (PAC) | Aluminum sulfate (alum) | |
|---|---|---|
| Effective pH | Wide (≈5–9) | Narrower (≈5.5–7.5) |
| Dose | Lower (pre-hydrolyzed) | Higher |
| Alkalinity use | Low — less pH depression | High — often needs pH correction |
| Cold-water performance | Strong | Weaker |
| Sludge volume | Lower | Higher |
For the alum and iron alternatives, see aluminum sulfate and ferric chloride; PAC and these coagulants are often paired with a polyacrylamide flocculant for clarification and dewatering.
Grades and forms
| Form | Typical Al₂O₃ | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid PAC | ~10% | Ready-to-dose; common for municipal and industrial plants |
| Spray-dried powder PAC | ~28–30% | Lower freight/storage; reconstituted on site |
| High-basicity / ACH grades | Varies | Specialty potable and paper applications |
Potable-water duty typically requires an NSF/ANSI 60-certified grade — confirm certification for your application and jurisdiction.
Applications by sector
- Drinking water. Turbidity and natural-organic-matter removal with low residual aluminum and minimal pH adjustment.
- Municipal & industrial wastewater. Primary coagulation, phosphorus removal and clarification ahead of flocculation and dewatering.
- Paper. Sizing, retention and pitch control.
- Oil/water & process streams. Emulsion breaking and solids removal.
Bulk supply and RFQ
RawSource sources PAC to specification — liquid or spray-dried, by basicity and Al₂O₃ content, with NSF-grade options for potable use — in drums, totes and bulk. Send your target grade, form and volume for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is polyaluminium chloride used for?
PAC is a coagulant used to remove turbidity, suspended solids, natural organic matter and phosphorus in drinking-water and wastewater treatment, and for retention and sizing in paper. It neutralizes the charge on fine particles so they form floc that can be settled or filtered, usually with a polyacrylamide flocculant as the bridging aid.
How is PAC different from alum?
PAC is pre-hydrolyzed, so it coagulates faster, works across a wider pH range (about 5–9 vs alum’s narrower band), consumes far less alkalinity (less pH depression), performs better in cold water, and produces less sludge — typically at a lower dose. Alum remains a cost-effective option where water chemistry suits it.
What grade of PAC do I need?
Specify by basicity and Al₂O₃ content, and by form (liquid ~10% Al₂O₃ or spray-dried powder ~28–30%). Higher basicity gives faster floc and less alkalinity consumption; potable use requires an NSF/ANSI 60-certified grade. Bracket the dose with a jar test before buying in bulk.
Is PAC available for potable (drinking) water?
Yes — NSF/ANSI 60-certified PAC grades are made for potable-water treatment. Confirm the specific certification and grade for your application and jurisdiction; the Certificate of Analysis governs the delivered specification.
Disclaimer
Information on this page is provided for general reference and compiled from authoritative public sources. Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis for the lot you purchase governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet before handling, and confirm regulatory status, certification (e.g. NSF/ANSI 60 for potable use) and suitability for your application and jurisdiction.
