A Short Note on Potash Alum Preparation

Potash Alum is a chemical compound, the dual sulfate of aluminium and potassium. 

The formula of potash alum is KAl(S0₄)₂, also known as potassium alum. Potash alum generally came as the dodecahydrate, KAl(SO₄)₂.12H₂O.. Potassium alum, the chemical compound, is the utmost crucial part of the general category of compounds known asalums and is generally known as simply alum. 

What is Potash Alum?

Potassium alum is one of the most commonly used chemical compounds that is majorly used to purify water, dyeing, fireproofing textiles, leather tanning, and baking powder as E number E522. Potash alum has also been majorly used for cosmetic purposes such as in the production of deodorants, as an astringent for slight bleeding that might take place because of shaving, and as a post-shave treatment. Potash Alum is also known as potassium alum and potassium aluminium. 

What are the materials required for the preparation of Potash Alum? 

1. Potassium Sulphate 

2. Aluminium Sulphate 

3. Distilled Water

It is distilled by evaporating it and condensing the vapours in a new beaker. This water is not palatable and is only used to prepare chemical compounds. 

4. Dilated sulphuric acid 

It is twenty or thirty per cent in concentration. It should be poured slowly so that there is no spillage. Dilute sulphuric acid does not cause burns as intense as concentrated ones. Still, the acidic components should be handled carefully. 

5. Flask 

6. China dish

7. Burner

The temperature regulations are really important for the preparation of potash alum. It is essential to keep the components at the optimum temperature. 

8. Funnel

9. Beaker

It helps in mixing the contents when making the compound. 

10. Tripod stand

It helps keep the components intact so that the chemicals do not spill. 

11. Wire gauze

12. Filter paper 

It helps in separating the content after mixing them. The final filtrate is collected in the beaker below for further processes. 

Finally, the compound is prepared and can be stored easily. Proper care must be taken that it does not come in contact with the body or does not vaporise if left somewhere. It is essential to mark the bottle correctly so that the compound can be used easily whenever needed. 

What are the methods involved in the preparation of potash alum? 

The procedure for preparing this chemical compound named alum is quite complicated. A lot of vigilance is also required while handling corrosive materials. 

1. Take potassium sulphate weighing about 12.5 grams in a beaker and mix the potassium sulphate in the minimal amount of distilled water. Then, blend to break down the crystals. 

2. Then, in a conical flask, mix aluminium sulphate weighing around 50 grams with lukewarm water and then add on dilute sulphuric acid weighing around 3ml to form a clear solution. 

3. If the solution is not clear, make sure to make it clear by filtering it. 

4. Now, with the help of China dish, blend the two clear solutions. 

5. Locate the china dish on the wire gauze over the burner. 

6. Blend the solution and boil it until the solutions achieve the solidification point. 

7. Now, set the solution over the beaker, accommodating cold water for one or two hours. 

8. The crystals formed from the potassium aluminium will be distinguished. Then, filter the crystals from the solution and wash crystals with minimal cold water. 

9. Now, preach the crystals by pressing considerately between the double over of the filter paper. 

10. Now, weigh them on the chemical stability to know the yield. 

 If the potash alum is heated more strongly, then the molecules of potash alum evaporate. If the potash alum is exposed to a much higher temperature, the sulphuric acid is moved out, and the leftover mixture carries the sulphate of potash and alumina. 

Potash Alum is an astringent chemical compound that is a hydrated dual sulfate of potassium and aluminium.

Conclusion 

Now that we have understood how the preparation of Potash alum takes place, we can prepare the potassium aluminium or potash alum independently. While preparing the potash alum, we must always follow some procedures and take precautions, such as during the process of solidification, we must not disturb the solution. The water should be let cool down steadily; lukewarm water should always be kept cool, be used for mixing salts, and many more. Apart from the listed precautions, we must follow a few laboratory norms and take the required precautions.