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Chemistry (including Biochemistry)/Chemical Equation/Reaction

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Expert: - 8/19/2005


Question
In the treatment of drinking Acid Alum (aluminum sulfate) and Sodium Chlorite (25%) are used at separate points. If these two chemicals come in contact with each other loud explosions are released and toxic Chlorine Dioxide is released.

Can you expand on what reaction is occuring and what the reaction equation looks like?

This happened at our water treatment plant earlier this week. There were small (50 gal) quantities and no one was injured, but I am curious about the reaction and equation.

Thank You!

Answer
The presence of the acid and aluminum (probably as a catalyst) will create chlorine dioxide which is what "puffed" when it decomposed.  Read about "puffs" at this website (look down the page under 5. Safety Hazards)

http://www.clo2.com/factsheet/raw/raw2.html

Chemistry (including Biochemistry)

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Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.

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Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.

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PhD, MS, BS in Chemistry

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