PAC (Poly Aluminium Chloride) Supplier in Oman: Grades, Dosing & Pricing
Poly Aluminium Chloride (PAC) in Oman — liquid vs powder grades, basicity specs, water treatment dosing, and sourcing from a Muscat supplier.
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Poly Aluminium Chloride — universally known in Oman's water treatment sector as PAC — is the dominant coagulant used in municipal water treatment, industrial effluent treatment, and sludge conditioning across the Sultanate. If you are responsible for water treatment operations in Oman — whether at a municipal treatment plant, a food and beverage factory, a hotel, a petrochemical facility, or a swimming pool — understanding PAC grades, specifications, and dosing principles will help you select the right product and get better performance from your treatment system.
What is PAC and How Does it Work?
Poly Aluminium Chloride (chemical formula [Al2(OH)nCl6-n]m, CAS 1327-41-9) is an inorganic coagulant produced by reacting aluminium hydroxide or bauxite with hydrochloric acid under controlled conditions. Unlike traditional alum (aluminium sulphate), PAC is a pre-polymerised coagulant — it arrives at the treatment plant already in a partially hydrolysed form that is optimised for rapid coagulation. This means PAC forms floc faster, works over a wider pH range (5.5–9.0 vs alum's 6.5–7.5), and produces a denser, more settleable floc that is easier to dewater.
PAC Grades: Basicity and Aluminium Content
The key specification differences in PAC products relate to basicity (% OH) and Al2O3 content. Basicity ranges from low (10–40%) to high (70–83%). Low basicity PAC is more acidic and effective for raw water with high organic content (colour, humic acids). High basicity PAC (70–83%) — sometimes called PAX or PAFC when it also contains ferric — is more effective for turbidity removal and works better at lower temperatures. For Oman's desalinated water treatment (very low turbidity, near-neutral pH), high basicity PAC at 70–75% is generally optimal.
Liquid PAC vs Powder PAC
| Factor | Liquid PAC | Powder PAC |
|---|---|---|
| Al2O3 content | 10–12% (150–200 g/L aluminium) | 28–31% |
| Supplied in | 25 L jerricans, 200 L drums, 1,000 L IBCs, or bulk tanker | Sealed bags |
| Preparation before dosing | None — pumped directly | Must be dissolved in water; mixing tank required |
| Best suited to | Plants with dosing pump systems | Remote locations, or where storage space is limited |
| Cost per kg of active Al2O3 | Higher | More cost-effective |
| Handling consideration | Corrosive liquid (pH 3.5–5.0) | Requires dust control measures |
For large municipal plants, bulk liquid PAC is delivered by tanker truck and stored in dedicated dosing tanks.
Typical PAC Dosing Rates for Oman Water Conditions
Dosing rates depend heavily on raw water quality.
| Application | Raw water condition | Typical liquid PAC dose (as product) |
|---|---|---|
| Muscat municipal supply | Low turbidity, desalinated origin | 5–15 mg/L |
| Industrial process water | Groundwater, turbidity up to 200 NTU | 20–50 mg/L |
| Swimming pool treatment and polishing | Pool water | 5–10 mg/L, followed by sand filtration |
| Industrial effluent | Suspended solids above 500 mg/L | 50–200 mg/L, with polymer flocculant aid |
Always conduct a jar test using your actual source water before finalising dose rates. Optimal dose minimises residual aluminium in treated water — WHO guideline for drinking water is <0.2 mg/L Al.
PAC vs Alum: Which to Choose for Oman?
For most Oman water treatment applications, PAC outperforms alum (aluminium sulphate).
| Factor | PAC | Alum (aluminium sulphate) |
|---|---|---|
| Effective pH range | 5.5–9.0 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Performance at Oman's desalinated supply pH (7.5–8.5) | Works well | Loses effectiveness above pH 7.5 |
| Sludge volume | 20–40% less — lower disposal and dewatering cost | Higher |
| Reaction speed | Faster — allows shorter flocculation times | Slower |
| Sensitivity to temperature swings | Low | High |
The only scenario where alum remains competitive is on a cost-per-dose basis for very large volume, price-sensitive applications where performance differences are acceptable. PAC's lower temperature sensitivity matters given Oman's extreme seasonal temperature range.
PAC Storage and Handling
Liquid PAC (pH 3.5–5.0, corrosive) must be stored in HDPE or FRP (fibreglass) tanks — never in plain mild steel (corrosion) or concrete (dissolved by acid). Storage above 40°C (common in Oman summer) causes gradual decomposition and colour change (yellow to brown) without necessarily affecting performance, but very long storage above 50°C is not recommended. Keep containers sealed to prevent CO2 absorption. Powder PAC is hygroscopic — store in sealed bags in a cool, dry area. Use within 12 months of manufacture date.
Global Chemicals LLC is a major PAC supplier in Oman, stocking both liquid PAC (10–12% Al2O3) and powder PAC (28–31% Al2O3) at our Muscat warehouse for same-day or next-day delivery. We supply municipal water authorities, industrial facilities, hotels, swimming pools, and food processing plants across Oman and export to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Contact us for competitive bulk pricing at info@gcoman.com or +968 9277 2305.
Global Chemicals Technical Team
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Global Chemicals LLC supplies industrial, laboratory, and specialty chemicals across Oman and the GCC region — UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Contact us for pricing, technical specifications, and fast delivery.
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