B405 00

American Water Works Association
ANSI/AWWA B405-00
(Revision of ANSI/AWWA B405-94)
AWWA STANDARD
FOR
SODIUM ALUMINATE
Effective date: January 1, 2001.

First edition approved by AWWA Board of Directors May 15, 1960.
This edition approved June 11, 2000.
Approved by American National Standards Institute October 6, 2000.
AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION

6666 West Quincy Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80235
Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

AWWA Standard
This document is an American Water Works Association (AWWA) standard. It is not a specification. AWWA
standards describe minimum requirements and do not contain all of the engineering and administrative information
normally contained in specifications. The AWWA standards usually contain options that must be evaluated by the
user of the standard. Until each optional feature is specified by the user, the product or service is not fully defined.
AWWA publication of a standard does not constitute endorsement of any product or product type, nor does AWWA
test, certify, or approve any product. The use of AWWA standards is entirely voluntary. AWWA standards are
intended to represent a consensus of the water supply industry that the product described will provide satisfactory
service. When AWWA revises or withdraws this standard, an official notice of action will be placed on the first page
of the classified advertising section of Journal AWWA. The action becomes effective on the first day of the month
following the month of Journal AWWA publication of the official notice.
American National Standard

An American National Standard implies a consensus of those substantially concerned with its scope and
provisions. An American National Standard is intended as a guide to aid the manufacturer, the consumer, and the
general public. The existence of an American National Standard does not in any respect preclude anyone, whether
that person has approved the standard or not, from manufacturing, marketing, purchasing, or using products,
processes, or procedures not conforming to the standard. American National Standards are subject to periodic
review, and users are cautioned to obtain the latest editions. Producers of goods made in conformity with an
American National Standard are encouraged to state on their own responsibility in advertising and promotional
materials or on tags or labels that the goods are produced in conformity with particular American National Standards.
CAUTION NOTICE: The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approval date on the front cover of
this standard indicates completion of the ANSI approval process. This American National Standard may be revised
or withdrawn at any time. ANSI procedures require that action be taken to reaffirm, revise, or withdraw this standard
no later than five years from the date of publication. Purchasers of American National Standards may receive current
information on all standards by calling or writing the American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., New
York, NY 10036; (212) 642-4900.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information or retrieval system,
except in the form of brief excerpts or quotations for review purposes, without the written permission of
the publisher.
Copyright © 2000 by American Water Works Association

Printed in USA
ii
Committee Personnel
The AWWA Subcommittee on Sodium Aluminate, which developed this
standard, had the following personnel at the time:
Ted A. Barber Jr., Chair
T.A. Barber Jr., Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, Ga. (AWWA)

Herbert Beck, Nalco Chemical Company, Naperville, Ill. (AWWA)
J.W. Patterson, J.W. Patterson Environmental Consultants,
Silverthorne, Colo. (AWWA)
R.S. Schultz, Bloomington Water Works, Hudson, Ill. (AWWA)
The AWWA Standards Committee on Iron Salts, Aluminum Salts, and Related
Coagulant Aids, which reviewed and approved this standard, had the following
personnel at the time of approval:
Joe E. Brown, Chair
Gene Shull, Vice-Chair
Consumer Members
B.S. Aptowicz, Philadelphia Water Department, Philadelphia, Pa. (AWWA)

T.A. Barber Jr., Coca Cola Company, Atlanta, Ga. (AWWA)
J.E. Brown, United Water Service, Houston, Texas (AWWA)
J.P. Corless, Washington Suburban Sanitary District, Laurel, Md. (AWWA)
S.A. Dolan, United Water Delaware, Wilmington, Del. (AWWA)
E.D. Lowther, American Water Works Service Company, Marlton, N.J. (AWWA)
C.A. Owen, City of Tampa Water Department, Tampa, Fla. (AWWA)
R.S. Schultz, Bloomington Water Works, Hudson, Ill. (AWWA)
J.S. Trotter, City of Bloomington Utilities, Bloomington, Ind. (AWWA)
D.P. Wolz, City of Wyoming, Grandville, Mich. (AWWA)
iii

General Interest Members
M.B. Alvarez, CH2M Hill, Orlando, Fla. (AWWA)

K.K. Au, American Water Works Service Company, Belleville, Ill. (AWWA)
D.T. Duke, Engineer, East Liverpool, Ohio (AWWA)
J.D. Edwards, Burgess & Niple Ltd., Columbus, Ohio (AWWA)
J.J. Gemin, Earth Tech Inc., Kitchener, Ont. (AWWA)
R.D. Harriger, Eaglebrook Inc., Williamsburg, Va. (AWWA)
P.J. Olson,* Standards Engineer Liaison, AWWA, Denver, Colo. (AWWA)
J.W. Patterson, J.W. Patterson Environmental Consultants,
Silverthorne, Colo. (AWWA)
L.W. VandeVenter, Metcalf & Eddy Inc., Wakefield, Mass. (NEWWA)
B.H. Wilder, Atlanta, Ga. (AWWA)
Producer Members
D.E. Gordon, QC Corporation, Baltimore, Md. (AWWA)

L.N. Hjersted, Kemiron Inc., Bartow, Fla. (AWWA)
C.B. Lind, General Chemical Corporation, Syracuse, N.Y. (AWWA)
J.J. Pavlicek, PVS Technologies, Detroit, Mich. (AWWA)
K.S. Salmen, Nalco Chemical Company, Naperville, Ill. (AWWA)
Gene Shull, Fe3 Inc., Bacliff, Texas (AWWA)
R.A. Smith, Woodbury, Conn. (AWWA)
*Liaison, nonvoting
iv

This page intentionally blank.

Contents
All AWWA standards follow the general format indicated subsequently. Some variations from this format may be
found in a particular standard.
SEC. PAGE SEC. PAGE
Foreword 2 References .......................................... 1

I Introduction ........................................ vii
3 Definitions ................................................ 2
I.A Background......................................... vii
I.B History. ............................................... vii
4 Requirements
I.C Acceptance. ........................................ viii
4.1 Physical Requirements......................... 2
II Special Issues ....................................... ix
4.2 Chemical Requirements ....................... 2
II.A Handling Precautions. ......................... ix
4.3 Impurities.............................................. 3
III Use of This Standard........................... ix
III.A Purchaser Options and Alternatives ... x 5 Verification
III.B Modification to Standard...................... x 5.1 Sampling ............................................... 3

IV Major Revisions..................................... x 5.2 Test Procedures .................................... 4
V Comments.............................................. x 5.3 Rejection................................................ 6
Standard 6 Delivery
1 General 6.1 Marking................................................. 6
1.1 Scope ...................................................... 1 6.2 Packaging and Shipping ...................... 7
1.2 Purpose .................................................. 1 6.3 Affidavit of Compliance........................ 7
1.3 Application............................................. 1

This page intentionally blank.

Foreword
This foreword is for information only and is not a part of AWWA B405.
I. Introduction.
I.A. Background. Sodium aluminate (Na2Al2O4) is used to improve hardness
reduction and coagulation when softening water with lime or lime and soda ash. It
can also be used in conjunction with alum to improve coagulation.
Sodium aluminate is a manufactured product obtained by combining aluminum
oxide (Al2O3) with sufficient excess causticity for stabilization. Sodium aluminate is
produced either as a solid or liquid. The solid form is a white or brown granular
material containing 60–80 percent Na2Al 2O4 (19.75–26.33 percent aluminum). The
density of solid sodium aluminate is 800 kg/m3 (50 lb/ft3). Liquid sodium aluminate
is a concentrated solution containing approximately 30–45 percent Na2Al 2O4 (9.87–
14.80 percent aluminum). The specific gravity of liquid sodium aluminate is 1.45–1.60.
Refer to material safety data sheets (MSDS) available from the supplier or
manufacturer for safety information.
I.B. History. Prior to May 15, 1960, a tentative standard for sodium
aluminate was designated AWWA B405-59T. On May 15, 1960, the first edition
was approved. Subsequent revisions to AWWA B405 were prepared by the
AWWA Standards Committee on Iron Salts, Aluminum Salts, and Related
Coagulant Aids and approved by the AWWA Board of Directors in 1983, 1989,
and 1994. This edition was approved by the AWWA Board of Directors on J une
11, 2000.
I.C. Acceptance. In May 1985, the US Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA) entered into a cooperative agreement with a consortium led by NSF
International (NSF) to develop voluntary third-party consensus standards and a
certification program for all direct and indirect drinking water additives. Other
members of the original consortium included the American Water Works
Association Research Foundation (AWWARF) and the Conference of State Health
and Environmental Managers (COSHEM). The American Water Works Associa-
tion (AWWA) and the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators
(ASDWA) joined later.
vii

In the United States, authority to regulate products for use in, or in contact
with, drinking water rests with individual states.* Local agencies may choose to
impose requirements more stringent than those required by the state. To evaluate
the health effects of products and drinking water additives from such products,
state and local agencies may use various references, including two standards
developed under the direction of NSF, ANSI†/NSF‡ 60, Drinking Water Treatment
Chemicals—Health Effects, and ANSI/NSF 61, Drinking Water System Compo-
nents—Health Effects.
Various certification organizations may be involved in certifying products in
accordance with ANSI/NSF 60. Individual states or local agencies have authority to
accept or accredit certification organizations within their jurisdiction. Accreditation
of certification organizations may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Annex A, “Toxicology Review and Evaluation Procedures,” to ANSI/NSF 60 does
not stipulate a maximum allowable level (MAL) of a contaminant for substances not
regulated by a USEPA final maximum contaminant level (MCL). The MALs of an
unspecified list of “unregulated contaminants” are based on toxicity testing
guidelines (noncarcinogens) and risk characterization methodology (carcinogens). Use
of Annex A procedures may not always be identical, depending on the certifier.
AWWA B405-00 addresses additives requirements in Sec. 4.3 of the standard.
The transfer of contaminants from chemicals to processed water or the residual solids
is becoming a problem of greater concern. The language in Sec. 4.3.2 is a
recommendation only for direct additives used in the treatment of potable water to be
certified by an accredited certification organization in accordance with ANSI/NSF
Standard 60, Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals—Health Effects. However, users
of the standard may opt to make this certification a requirement for the product.
Users of this standard should also consult the appropriate state or local agency
having jurisdiction in order to
1. Determine additives requirements, including applicable standards.
2. Determine the status of certifications by all parties offering to certify
products for contact with, or treatment of, drinking water.
*Persons in Canada, Mexico, and non-North American countries should contact the
appropriate authority having jurisdiction.
†American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036.
‡NSF International, 789 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
viii

3. Determine current information on product certification.
II. Special Issues.
II.A. Advisory information on product application. Unlike many other floccu-
lant chemicals purchased in liquid form, liquid sodium aluminate is usually
purchased by weight of product, including water.
This standard provides methods for analyzing insoluble matter, available
sodium aluminate, soluble silica, total sodium oxide, and excess sodium oxide. This
standard applies to sodium aluminate produced by currently recognized methods of
manufacture. If other methods or raw materials are used, impurities could be present
that might be inconsistent with good water treatment practices. In such cases,
additional tests by the manufacturer may be required to demonstrate that the
product is suitable for water treatment purposes.
III. Use of This Standard.
AWWA has no responsibility for the suitability or compatibility of the provisions
of this standard to any intended application by any user. Accordingly, each user of
this standard is responsible for determining that the standard’s provisions are
suitable for and compatible with that user’s intended application.
III.A. Purchaser options and alternatives. When purchasing sodium alumi-
nate under the provisions of this standard, the following items should be covered in
the purchaser’s specifications:
1. Standard used—that is, AWWA B405, Standard for Sodium Aluminate, of
latest revision.
2. Physical form and quantity required (Sec. 4.1).
3. Size and type of container to be used (Sec. 6.2).
4. Affidavit of compliance, certified analysis, or both, if required (Sec. 6.3).
5. Commercial solid sodium aluminate containing additives such as clay to
improve the feeding or coagulating characteristics or stabilizers to improve shelf life
is available. Use of these additional materials requires changing the limitations on
insoluble matter (Sec. 4.1.2) and chemical requirements (Sec. 4.2). Together, sodium
aluminate and additives (clay and stabilizers) must conform to impurity limitation
requirements (Sec. 4.3).
6. Liquid sodium aluminate may lack stability after storage for more than
30 days. Purchasers may wish to expand on the stability requirements based on
individual need. (Sec. 4.1.1)
ix

7. All chemicals, such as glutamates, added to sodium aluminate to improve
stability during storage shall be products of food-grade quality (or better) approved
by the Federal Food and Drug Administration.
8. Whether the recommended compliance with ANSI/NSF Standard 60,
Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals—Health Effects, is to be required. If this
certification is to be required, the purchaser’s specifications shall read, “This material
shall be certified as suitable for contact with or treatment of drinking water by an
accredited certification organization in accordance with ANSI/NSF Standard 60,
Drinking water Treatment Chemicals—Health Effects.”
9. In the event that an analysis by a referee laboratory is required, the
assignment of testing costs should be addressed (Sec. 5.3.1).
10. Whether an analysis by a certified laboratory for the presence of barium,
cadmium, chromium, mercury, nitrate, nitrite, selenium, antimony, beryllium,
cyanide, nickel, thallium, iron, and manganese is to be required (Sec. 6.3).
III.B. Modification to standard. Any modification to the provisions, defini-
tions, or terminology in this standard must be provided in the purchaser’s
specifications.
IV. Major Revisions. Major changes made to the standard in this revision
include the following:
1. The acceptance clause (Sec. I.C) has been revised to approved wording.
2. A new section on product certifications (Sec. 4.3.2) has been added.
3. Item numbers 8, 9, and 10 have been added to Sec. III.A. Purchaser Options
and Alternatives.
4. A bulk sampling procedure was added (5.1.4.1.1).
5. A revised test procedure for insoluble matter—solid has been added (Sec. 5.2.1).
V. Comments. If you have any comments or questions about this standard,
please call the AWWA Volunteer & Technical Support Group, (303) 794-7711
ext. 6283, FAX (303) 795-7603, or write to the group at 6666 W. Quincy Ave., Denver,
CO 80235.

American Water Works Association
ANSI/AWWA B405-00
(Revision of ANSI/AWWA B405-94)
AWWA STANDARD FOR
SODIUM ALUMINATE
SECTION 1: GENERAL
Sec. 1.1 Scope
This standard describes sodium aluminate (Na2Al 2O4) in both liquid and solid
form for use in water supply service. Sodium aluminate according to this standard is
a combination of sodium oxide (Na2O) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) with sufficient
excess causticity (sodium oxide) for stabilization.
Sec. 1.2 Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to provide purchasers, manufacturers, and
suppliers with the minimum requirements for sodium aluminate, including physical,
chemical, packaging, shipping, and testing requirements.
Sec. 1.3 Application

This standard can be referenced in specifications for purchasing and receiving
sodium aluminate and can be used as a guide for testing the physical and chemical
properties of sodium aluminate samples. The stipulations of this standard apply
when this document has been referenced and then only to sodium aluminate used in
water supply service.

2 AWWA B405-00
SECTION 2: REFERENCES
This standard references the following documents. In their latest editions, they
form a part of this standard to the extent specified in this standard. In any case of
conflict, the requirements of this standard shall prevail.
ASTM* E11—Standard Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Purposes.
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. APHA,†
AWWA, WEF.‡ AWWA, Denver, Colo. (19th ed., 1995).
SECTION 3: DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall apply in this standard:
1. Liquid sodium aluminate: The liquid form of sodium aluminate is a
concentrated solution containing approximately 30 to 45 percent Na 2Al2O4.
2. Manufacturer: The party that manufactures, fabricates, or produces mate-
rials or products.
3. Purchaser: The person, company, or organization that purchases any
materials or work to be performed.
4. Solid sodium aluminate: The solid form of sodium aluminate defined in
this standard is a white or brown granular material containing 60 to 80 percent
sodium aluminate.
5. Supplier: The party that supplies materials or services. A supplier may or
may not be the manufacturer.
*American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA
19428-2959.
†American Public Health Association, 1015 15th St. N.W., Washington, DC 20005.
‡Water Environment Federation, 601 Wythe St., Alexandria, VA 22314-1994.

SODIUM ALUMINATE 3
SECTION 4: REQUIREMENTS
Sec. 4.1 Physical Requirements*
4.1.1 Form and size. Solid sodium aluminate shall be dry (<25 percent free
water), clean (<1 percent foreign matter), and free of lumps. The solid form shall be
pulverized or granular, as specified. Liquid sodium aluminate shall be sufficiently
stable for prolonged storage of more than approximately 30 days.
4.1.2 Insoluble matter. Solid sodium aluminate shall contain no more than
1.0 percent insoluble matter. Liquid sodium aluminate shall contain no more than
0.5 percent insoluble matter.
Sec. 4.2 Chemical Requirements

4.2.1 Available soluble sodium aluminate. Solid sodium aluminate shall con-
tain a minimum of 60 percent available soluble sodium aluminate. Liquid sodium
aluminate shall contain a minimum of 30 percent available soluble sodium
aluminate.
4.2.2 Excess sodium oxide. Solid sodium aluminate shall have excess sodium
oxide (Na2O) of at least 3 percent by weight to ensure complete combination with the
aluminum oxide (Al2O3), but it shall not exceed 5 percent by weight reported as
sodium oxide. Liquid sodium aluminate shall have excess sodium oxide of at least
4 percent by weight to ensure complete combination with the aluminum oxide, but it
shall not exceed 8 percent by weight reported as sodium oxide.
Sec. 4.3 Impurities†

4.3.1 General. The sodium aluminate supplied according to this standard
shall contain no substances in quantities capable of producing deleterious or
injurious effects on the health of those consuming water that has been properly
treated with sodium aluminate.
4.3.2 Product certifications. Sodium aluminate is a direct additive used in the
treatment of potable water. This material should be certified as suitable for contact
with or treatment of drinking water by an accredited certification organization in
accordance with ANSI/NSF Standard 60, Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals—
*All sieve numbers referred to in this standard are US Standard Sieve Series numbers, as
specified in ASTM E11.
†See Sec. I.C of the foreword.

4 AWWA B405-00
Health Effects. Evaluation shall be accomplished in accordance with requirements

that are no less restrictive than those listed in ANSI/NSF Standard 60. Certification
shall be accomplished by a certification organization accredited by the American
National Standards Institute.
SECTION 5: VERIFICATION
Sec. 5.1 Sampling
5.1.1 Sampling point. Samples shall be taken at the point of destination.
5.1.2 Amount of shipment to be sampled. Five percent of the packages or
containers shall be sampled, but a minimum of 5 packages and a maximum of 15
packages in any one shipment shall be sampled. No sample shall be taken from a
broken package.
5.1.3 Sampling method, sample size, and handling for solid form.
5.1.3.1 Granular or pulverized sodium aluminate may be sampled by using a
sampling tube at least 3/4 in. (19 mm) in diameter. If the solid sodium aluminate is
handled by conveyer or elevator, a mechanical sampling arrangement may be used.
5.1.3.2 The gross sample shall weigh at least 10 lb (5 kg), and shall be mixed
thoroughly and divided to provide three 1-lb (0.50-kg) samples.
5.1.3.3 The samples shall be sealed in airtight, moistureproof, plastic containers.
5.1.3.4 Each sample shall be labeled for identification and shall be signed by
the sampler. A chain-of-custody form shall accompany all samples and shall be
properly completed by the individuals handling the samples.
5.1.4 Sampling method, sample size, and handling for liquid form.
5.1.4.1 The contents of each container to be sampled shall be mixed thoroughly
by rolling or by other means. A portion shall be taken from each container of such
size that the total gross sample shall consist of at least 10 qt (10 L).
5.1.4.1.1 When collecting a representative composite sample from a tank car or
tank truck, at least five different portions shall be taken. The portions shall be taken
from locations well distributed in depth and area or at timed intervals during
discharge, in order to obtain a representative sample. The five portions making up
the composite sample shall be mixed in a clean, dry plastic container to give the
composite sample at least a 10 qt (10 L) volume.

SODIUM ALUMINATE 5
5.1.4.2 After thorough mixing of the gross sample, three 0.5-qt (0.5-L) samples
shall be sealed in airtight plastic bottles. When sampling, large quantities of air must
not be introduced into the product for this will affect the stability of the aluminate.
5.1.4.3 Each sample container shall be labeled for identification and shall be
signed by the sampler. A chain-of-custody form shall accompany all samples and shall
be properly completed by the individuals handling the samples.
5.1.5 Laboratory examination. Laboratory examination by the purchaser of
one of the three samples collected according to Sec. 5 shall be completed within 10
working days after receipt of the shipment.
5.1.5.1 Test samples. Test samples shall be obtained from sealed material
samples delivered to the laboratory. Material samples shall be unsealed only when it
is necessary to remove quantities of the material for testing. This shall be performed
quickly, and the material samples shall then be resealed for future reference.
5.1.5.2 Retention. Samples shall be retained for at least 30 days after date of
receipt or until the load of sodium aluminate has been completely used, whichever is
longest before they are discarded.
5.1.6 Sample preparation.
5.1.6.1 Solid sodium aluminate. The material sample delivered to the labora-
tory shall be quartered to approximately 3.5 oz (100 g), and this amount shall be
reduced by mechanical grinding or by hand in a mortar to a size that all of it passes
a No. 30 sieve. After thorough mixing, the test portion shall be stored in an airtight
container and weighed out rapidly to avoid a change in moisture content.
5.1.6.2 Liquid sodium aluminate. Liquid sodium aluminate shall be mixed
thoroughly before a portion is withdrawn for examination, and the bottle shall be
kept sealed after the test portion has been removed.
Sec. 5.2 Test Procedures

Methods of testing solid sodium aluminate for insoluble matter, available
sodium aluminate, soluble silica, total sodium oxide, and excess sodium oxide are
given in this section. Section 5.2 also describes methods of testing liquid sodium
aluminate for insoluble matter, available sodium aluminate, and excess sodium oxide.
5.2.1 Insoluble matter—solid.
5.2.1.1 General. Insoluble matter is determined by filtering a weighed sample,
washing and weighing the filtered matter, and calculating the percent undissolved
solids.

6 AWWA B405-00
5.2.1.2 Procedure.
1. Dry and accurately weigh (±0.0001g) a piece of 5.5 cm Whatman 934-AH
glass microfiber filter paper.
2. Accurately weigh (±0.0001g) 5 g of sample in a tared beaker. Dissolve the
sample in 150 mL of DI water.
3. Using a vacuum filtration flask, Buchner funnel, and aspirator, filter the
sample.
4. Wash the beaker with 50 mL of DI water and pour the wash water through
the filter. Repeat with two additional washings.
5. Dry the filter paper in an oven at 100–105° C to constant weight. Let cool
in a desiccator.
6. Accurately reweigh the filter paper. This value minus the weight in step 1
is the weight of the undissolved solids.
5.2.1.3 Calculations
weight of undissolved solids

----------------------------------------------------------------------------- × 100 = percent undissolved solids (Eq 1)
weight of sample (step 2)
5.2.2 Available sodium aluminate—solid.

5.2.2.1 Reagents.
1. 1.0N sodium hydroxide solution.
2. Carbon dioxide gas (may be generated and suitably washed in the
laboratory or obtained from a commercial cylinder).
3. Phenolphthalein indicator.
5.2.2.2 Procedure.
1. Dissolve 5.0 g of the sample in a mixture of 80 mL 1.0N sodium hydroxide
solution and 70 mL distilled water.
2. Stir thoroughly and then boil gently for 15 min in a beaker covered with a
watch glass. If necessary, add distilled water to replace the volume lost.
3. Filter through a quantitative filter paper (Whatman No. 42 or equivalent).
4. Wash residue with hot distilled water until it is free from hydroxide
alkalinity. (See the note following step 5.)
5. Save the filtrate, including wash water, to determine available sodium
aluminate (Sec. 5.2.2) and soluble silica (Sec. 5.2.3).

SODIUM ALUMINATE 7
NOTE: During the first analysis on a given sample, the filtrate may need to be
tested for hydroxide alkalinity to determine the amount of wash water required to
remove the alkalinity from the residue.
6. Transfer the filtrate (step 5) to a 500-mL volumetric flask, cool to
approximately room temperature, and make up to 500 mL with distilled water.
7. Mix thoroughly, measure 50 mL into a 250-mL beaker and add 75 mL of
hot distilled water.
8. Place the beaker in a boiling-water bath and bubble carbon dioxide
through the solution at the rate of four bubbles per second. Continue bubbling until
precipitation is complete (approximately 30 min).
9. When precipitation is thought to be complete, discontinue bubbling and
allow the precipitate to settle. Remove some of the supernatant liquid and pass
carbon dioxide through it. If no precipitate forms, the alumina has been precipitated
completely. Return the supernatant to the beaker. If preferred, the phenolphthalein
indicator may be added to the solution before gassing begins, and the gassing may be
continued for 20 min after the color of the indicator has disappeared.
10. Filter with suction through two quantitative filter papers (Whatman
No. 42 or equivalent) supported in a platinum cone or glass funnel. Wash thoroughly
and carefully with hot distilled water. Save the filtrate and wash water to determine
the total sodium oxide (Sec. 5.2.4).
11. Dry the paper and residue in a tared platinum crucible and ignite at
1,000°C to constant weight (approximately 1 hr).
12. Cool in a desiccator and weigh quickly to avoid the absorption of moisture.
The weight of the crucible and residue minus the tared weight of the crucible is equal
to the weight of the alumina.
13. From the weight of alumina, subtract the weight of soluble silica
(Sec. 5.2.3) to obtain the net weight of alumina.
5.2.2.3 Calculations.
weight of AL2 O 2 – weight of soluble SiO2 = net weight of AL2 O 3 (Eq 2)
net weight of Al2 O 3

----------------------------------------------------------------- × 100 = percent Al2 O 3 (Eq 3)
weight of sample (0.5 g)
percent Al2 O 3 × 1.608 = percent Na2 Al 2 O 4

8 AWWA B405-00
5.2.3 Soluble silica—solid.

5.2.3.1 Reagent.
1. Concentrated hydrochloric acid.
5.2.3.2 Procedure.
1. Measure 50 mL of the filtrate from Sec. 5.2.2 into a 250-mL beaker.
2. Acidify with concentrated hydrochloric acid.
3. Evaporate to dryness and bake for 1 hr at 180°C.
4. After the baked residue has been cooled, add 15 mL of concentrated
hydrochloric acid and 15 mL of distilled water.
5. Heat to boiling, filter through a quantitative filter paper (Whatman No. 42
or equivalent), and wash the residue with hot distilled water until free from chloride.
(See the note following step 8.)
6. Dry the residue and paper in a tared platinum crucible.
7. Ignite to constant weight.
8. Cool in a desiccator and weigh. The weight of the crucible and residue
minus the tared weight of the crucible is equal to the weight of the soluble S1O2.
NOTE: During the first analysis of a given sample, it may be necessary to test
the wash water for chloride to determine the amount of washing required so that the
filtrate is free of chloride. Refer to Standard Methods for the Examination of Water
and Wastewater of latest revision for determining chloride in water.
weight of residue
----------------------------------------------------------------- × 100 = percent soluble SiO 2 (Eq 4)
weight of sample (0.5 g)
5.2.4 Total sodium oxide—solid.

5.2.4.1 Reagents.
1. 1.0N sulfuric acid.
2. 1.0N sodium hydroxide.
5.2.4.2 Procedure.
1. Transfer the filtrate obtained from determining the available sodium
aluminate [Sec. 5.2.2.2 (10.0)] to a 500-mL Erlenmeyer flask.
2. Add 25 mL 1.0N sulfuric acid and boil gently for 30 min to expel the carbon
dioxide.
3. Cool and titrate with 1.0N sodium hydroxide with phenolphthalein as indicator.

SODIUM ALUMINATE 9
V4 0.040 g NaOH  V 4
V – ------ (V ) – V × ------------------------------------------- ×  ------ × 100/W = percent NaOH
1 V 3 2 mL 1.0N NaOH  V 5
5
percent NaOH × 0.7748 = percent sodium oxide as Na2 O (Eq 5)
percent NaOH × 0.7748 = percent sodium oxide as Na O (Eq 6)

2
Where:
V1 = millilitres, 1.0N H2SO4 = 25 mL (step 2, Sec. 5.2.4.2)
V2 = millilitres, 1.0N NaOH titrant (step 3, Sec. 5.2.4.2)
V3 = millilitres, initial 1.0N NaOH volume = 80 mL (step 1, Sec. 5.2.2.2)
V4 = millilitres, sample aliquot = 50 mL (step 7, Sec. 5.2.2.2)
V5 = millilitres, total sample volume = 500 mL (step 6, Sec. 5.2.2.2)
W = grams, sample weight = 5.0 g (step 1, Sec. 5.2.2.2)
5.2.5 Excess sodium oxide—solid. Obtain total percent sodium hydroxide as in

Sec. 5.2.4.
Then
( total percent sodium hydroxide as NaOH ) –

( 0.488 × percent Na2 Al2 O 4 + 1.33 × percent soluble SiO 2 ) =
( excess sodium hydroxide as NaOH ) (Eq 7)
(percent excess NaOH) × 0.7748 = percent excess sodium oxide as Na2 O (Eq 8)
5.26 Insoluble matter—liquid. Starting at step 1 of Sec. 5.2.1, follow the

procedure for determining insoluble matter in solid sodium aluminate, except 50–60 g of
sample should be used rather than the 5 g used in 5.2.1.2.
5.2.7 Available sodium aluminate—liquid.
5.2.7.1 Reagents.
1. Concentrated hydrochloric acid.
2. Concentrated ammonium hydroxide.
3. Ammonium nitrate solution, 1 percent.

10 AWWA B405-00
5.2.7.2 Procedure.
1. Make the filtrate obtained from Sec. 5.2.6 up to 500 mL with distilled
water.
2. Transfer 25 mL of the solution to a 250-mL beaker and dilute to about 175 mL.
3. Add approximately 7 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid. Using a pH
electrode to monitor pH, adjust the solution to pH 7.5 with ammonium hydroxide.
4. Bring the solution to a boil, allow it to settle, and then filter through
quantitative filter paper (Whatman No. 42 or equivalent).
5. Wash with hot 1 percent ammonium nitrate solution.
6. Redissolve the precipitated aluminum hydroxide on the filter paper with a
one-to-one hydrochloric acid solution and wash the precipitate off the paper
alternately with this solution and hot ammonium nitrate.
7. Wash into the original beaker and repeat the precipitation as before.
8. Wash thoroughly with hot ammonium nitrate solution and finally with hot
water until the filtrate is free from chloride. (See the note following step 10.)
9. Dry the filter paper and its contents in an oven at about 100°C and burn
off the paper slowly in a tared crucible.
10. Finally, ignite over a blast lamp for 5 min, weigh quickly, and reignite to
constant weight.
11. Calculate the weight of the residue, which is equal to the weight of the
crucible and the residue minus the tared weight of the crucible.
NOTE: During the first analysis on a given sample, it may be necessary to test
the filtrate for chloride to determine the amount of washing required to ensure that
the filtrate is free from chloride. Refer to Standard Methods for the Examination of
Water and Wastewater of latest revision for determining chloride in water.
weight of residue
----------------------------------------------- × 1.608 × 100 = percent sodium aluminate (Eq 9)
weight of sample
5.2.8 Excess sodium oxide—liquid.

5.2.81 Reagents.
1. 0.02N sulfuric acid.

SODIUM ALUMINATE 11
5.2.8.2 Procedure.
1. Measure 25 mL of the solution from the 500-mL flask (Sec. 5.2.7) and place
in a 250-mL Erlenmeyer flask.
2. Dilute to approximately 100 mL with distilled water.
3. Titrate with 0.02N sulfuric acid with phenolphthalein as indicator.
1L 40 g NaOH V2
V 3 × -------------------------- × C × -------------------------------- × ------ × 100/W = percent NaOH
1, 000 mL 1 mole NaOH V1
0.2286 V 3 = percent NaOH (Eq 10)
percent NaOH × ( percent Na Al O × 0.488 ) =

2 2 4
percent excess sodium hydroxide ( NaOH ) (Eq 11)
percent excess NaOH × 0.7748 = percent excess sodium oxide as Na 2 O (Eq 12)
Where:
C1 = normality of H2SO4 = 0.02N (Sec. 5.2.8.1)
V1 = millilitre, sample aliquot volume = 25 mL (step 1, Sec. 5.2.8.2)
V2 = millilitre, total sample volume = 500 mL (step 1, Sec. 5.2.7.2)
V3 = millilitre, volume of 0.02N H2SO4 titrant (step 3, Sec. 5.2.8.2)
W = grams, sample weight = 7.0 g (Sec. 5.2.6)
5.2.9 Alternative test procedures. The test procedures specified in this stan-
dard are traditional in nature and have been widely used throughout the water
industry. Alternative procedures may be acceptable by mutual consent between the
purchaser and supplier.
Sec. 5.3 Basis for Rejection.

5.3.1 Notice of nonconformance. If the sodium aluminate delivered does not
meet the requirements of this standard, a notice of nonconformance must be provided
by the purchaser to the supplier within 10 working days after receipt of the shipment
at the point of destination. The results of the purchaser’s tests shall prevail, unless
the supplier notifies the purchaser within five working days after receiving the notice
of nonconformance that a retest is desired. On receiving the request for a retest, the
purchaser shall forward to the supplier one of the sealed samples taken in accordance

12 AWWA B405-00
with Sec. 5.1. In the event that the results obtained by the supplier on retesting do
not agree with the test results obtained by the purchaser, the other sealed sample
shall be forwarded, unopened, for analysis to a referee laboratory agreed on by both
parties. The results of the referee analysis shall be accepted as final.
SECTION 6: DELIVERY*
Sec. 6.1 Marking
6.1.1 Required. Each shipment of material shall carry with it some means of
identification. The net weight of the contents, the name of the manufacturer, and the
brand name, if any, shall be marked legibly on each package, drum, or other
container. Other markings as required by applicable laws and regulations shall be
marked legibly on each package. When shipped in bulk, this information shall be
provided in accordance with applicable regulations.
6.1.2 Optional. The container may also bear the statement “This material
meets the requirements of AWWA B405-00, Standard for Sodium Aluminate,”
provided that the requirements of this document are met and the material is not of a
different quality in separate agreement between the supplier and purchaser.
Sec. 6.2 Packaging and Shipping

Packaging and shipping of sodium aluminate shall conform to current federal,
state, and local regulations.
6.2.1 Solid-form packaging and shipping. Solid sodium aluminate shall be
shipped in nonreturnable fiber drums or in special moistureproof or alkali-resistant
multiwall paper bags.
6.2.2 Liquid-form packaging and shipping. Liquid sodium aluminate shall be
shipped in bulk or in steel drums.
6.2.3 Net weight. The net weight of the packages shall not deviate from the
recorded weight by more than ±1.0 percent. If the purchaser takes exception to the
weight of the material received, it shall be based on a certified unit weight of not less
than 10 percent of the packages selected at random from the entire shipment.
However, not less than 10 or more than 25 packages need to be weighed.
*Governmental packaging and marking references reflect US requirements. Users of AWWA

B405 from Canada, Mexico, and non-North American countries should verify applicable local
and national regulatory requirements.

SODIUM ALUMINATE 13
Sec. 6.3 Affidavit of Compliance and Certified Analysis

The purchaser may require the manufacturer or supplier to provide an affidavit
attesting that the sodium aluminate provided according to the purchaser’s specifica-
tions complies with all applicable requirements of this standard. The purchaser may
also require that the supplier provide a certified analysis of the sodium aluminate.
The purchaser may also elect to use in-house analytical equipment to analyze the
product to ensure that it complies with this standard.

1P-7.5M-42405-11/00-CM Printed on recycled paper.

B405 00

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

B405 00

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

American Water Works Association

Effective date: January 1, 2001.

AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

American National Standard

Copyright © 2000 by American Water Works Association

Ted A. Barber Jr., Chair

T.A. Barber Jr., Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, Ga. (AWWA)

Joe E. Brown, Chair

Gene Shull, Vice-Chair

B.S. Aptowicz, Philadelphia Water Department, Philadelphia, Pa. (AWWA)

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

M.B. Alvarez, CH2M Hill, Orlando, Fla. (AWWA)

D.E. Gordon, QC Corporation, Baltimore, Md. (AWWA)

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

SEC. PAGE SEC. PAGE

Foreword 2 References .......................................... 1

III.B Modification to Standard...................... x 5.1 Sampling ............................................... 3

1 General 6.1 Marking................................................. 6

1.1 Scope ...................................................... 1 6.2 Packaging and Shipping ...................... 7

1.2 Purpose .................................................. 1 6.3 Affidavit of Compliance........................ 7

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

AWWA STANDARD FOR

Sec. 1.2 Purpose

Sec. 1.3 Application

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

Sec. 4.2 Chemical Requirements

Sec. 4.3 Impurities†

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

Health Effects. Evaluation shall be accomplished in accordance with requirements

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

Sec. 5.2 Test Procedures

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

weight of undissolved solids

5.2.2 Available sodium aluminate—solid.

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

weight of AL2 O 2 – weight of soluble SiO2 = net weight of AL2 O 3 (Eq 2)

net weight of Al2 O 3

percent Al2 O 3 × 1.608 = percent Na2 Al 2 O 4

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

5.2.3 Soluble silica—solid.

5.2.4 Total sodium oxide—solid.

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

percent NaOH × 0.7748 = percent sodium oxide as Na2 O (Eq 5)

percent NaOH × 0.7748 = percent sodium oxide as Na O (Eq 6)

5.2.5 Excess sodium oxide—solid. Obtain total percent sodium hydroxide as in

( total percent sodium hydroxide as NaOH ) –

5.26 Insoluble matter—liquid. Starting at step 1 of Sec. 5.2.1, follow the

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

5.2.8 Excess sodium oxide—liquid.

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

0.2286 V 3 = percent NaOH (Eq 10)

percent NaOH × ( percent Na Al O × 0.488 ) =

Sec. 5.3 Basis for Rejection.

Copyright © 2000 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved

Sec. 6.2 Packaging and Shipping