Iron(III) Chloride (FeCl3) - Turbidity Remover in Water Treatment Processes

Iron(III) Chloride (FeCl3) - Turbidity Remover in Water Treatment Processes

Wastewater generally ends up as mere waste. However, this water can actually be reprocessed by separating the chemical substances within it, allowing you to obtain water with entirely new characteristics.

Iron(III) chloride, commonly known as ferric chloride is a compound widely used for industrial wastewater management and water purification. Its ability to readily precipitate in water makes it highly favored by industrial operators.

What is Iron(III) Chloride (FeCl3)?

Iron(III) chloride in solid form ranges from orange to dark brown. This solid is slightly soluble in water and non-flammable.

When wet, this material is corrosive to aluminum and most other metals. Naturally, you would want to avoid storing FeCl3 near metallic equipment.

This compound is extensively used in industrial waste management, water purification, circuit board etching, and as a precursor for other chemical substances.

Structure of Iron (III) Chloride (FeCl3)

In its solid state, FeCl3 adopts the same crystal structure as BiI3, where each iron atom is octahedrally coordinated by six chlorine atoms.

This compound volatilizes easily at around 300°C. Its vapor phase primarily consists of Fe2Cl6 molecules. However, at higher temperatures (600°C), it dissociates into the monomeric FeCl3 form.

Physical and Chemical Properties of Iron(III) Chloride (FeCl3)

Iron(III) chloride possesses distinct physical and chemical properties that define its characteristics:

A. Physical Properties of Iron(III) Chloride (FeCl3)

  • Aqueous solutions of ferric chloride range from colorless to light brown.

  • It carries a faint odor similar to hydrochloric acid.

  • It has a molar mass of 162.2 g/mol.

  • Its melting point is 307.6°C.

  • Its boiling point is 315°C.

  • It dissolves easily in methanol and diethyl ether, but is insoluble in ethyl acetate.

B. Chemical Properties of Iron(III) Chloride (FeCl3)

  • Ferric chloride is inherently highly toxic, corrosive, and acidic.

  • Lithium tetrachloroferrate is formed when methyllithium reacts with ferric chloride in the presence of ether:

    2FeCl3+LiCH3 → FeCl2+Li[FeCl4]+CH

  • A reddish-brown precipitate forms when sodium hydroxide is added to a ferric chloride solution:

    FeCl3+NaOH → Fe(OH)3+NaCl

  • A reddish-brown iron hydroxide precipitate forms when ferric chloride interacts with ammonium hydroxide:

    FeCl3(s)+NH4OH(aq) →Fe(OH)3(s)+NH4Cl

  • An iron alkoxide complex forms when ferric chloride reacts with an alkali metal alkoxide in the presence of ethanol and ammonia:

    2FeCl3+6C2H5OH+6NH3 →(Fe(OC2H5)3)2+6NH4Cl

Advantages of Iron(III) Chloride (FeCl3)

Iron(III) chloride offers several functional advantages for industrial applications:

A. Strong Coagulation and Flocculation Capabilities

Iron(III) chloride acts as an effective coagulant and flocculant. This property helps destabilize suspended particles in water, causing them to aggregate into larger flocs.

B. Effective Precipitation in Cold Water

Sedimentation can be difficult to achieve at low temperatures. Unlike many other agents, iron(III) chloride enhances cold-water sedimentation, allowing solids to settle completely even in cold conditions.

C. Color Removal

Iron(III) chloride effectively removes colored substances by precipitating them out, causing the color to dissipate naturally.

D. Versatility Across Water Treatment Types

Ferric chloride can be applied for turbidity removal, enhancing coagulation, removing natural organic matter (NOM), and eliminating disinfection byproduct precursors. This flexibility makes it suitable for various water treatment processes.

E. Readily Available

Finally, iron(III) chloride is widely accessible in the market, available everywhere from industrial chemical suppliers to e-commerce platforms, making it a popular choice for water treatment operations.

Applications of Iron(III) Chloride (FeCl3)

The primary application of FeCl3 is removing impurities in wastewater treatment processes. It is also known to help control odors in water treatment setups.

Ferric chloride is commonly used to achieve rapid coagulation. While similar to alum (aluminum sulfate), it operates effectively across a different pH range and solubility profile.

At high concentrations, FeCl3 can harm aquatic life, including fish and aquatic plants. Preventing environmental disruption requires advanced filtration like reverse osmosis, though this process is technically more complex and costly.

FeCl3 Available at AMI Scientific

AMI Scientific is a trusted distributor of chemicals and reagents, supplying high-grade FeCl3 for industrial processes, research, and technical applications.

Interested in ordering FeCl3 for your industrial or research needs? Click this link to get started.

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