PAC (Poly Aluminium Chloride) Supplier in Oman: Grades, Dosing & Pricing

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

Liquid PAC (typically 10–12% Al2O3, 150–200 g/L aluminium content) is the standard form for water treatment plants with dosing pump systems. It is supplied in 25-litre jerricans, 200-litre drums, or bulk IBC (1,000-litre) containers. For large municipal plants, bulk liquid PAC is delivered by tanker truck and stored in dedicated dosing tanks. Powder PAC (typically 28–31% Al2O3) is used where liquid delivery is impractical, particularly in remote locations, or where storage space is limited. Powder PAC must be dissolved in water before dosing — a mixing tank is required. Powder is also more cost-effective per kilogram of active Al2O3, but handling requires dust control measures.

Typical PAC Dosing Rates for Oman Water Conditions

Dosing rates depend heavily on raw water quality. For Muscat's municipal supply (low turbidity, desalinated origin): 5–15 mg/L liquid PAC (as product) is typically sufficient. For industrial process water from groundwater sources (higher turbidity, up to 200 NTU): 20–50 mg/L may be required. For swimming pool water treatment and polishing: 5–10 mg/L followed by sand filtration. For industrial effluent treatment (suspended solids >500 mg/L): 50–200 mg/L PAC 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) for the following reasons. PAC works at higher pH (7.5–8.5) common in Oman's desalinated supply, while alum loses effectiveness above pH 7.5. PAC produces 20–40% less sludge volume, reducing disposal and dewatering costs. PAC reacts faster, allowing shorter flocculation times in high-throughput systems. PAC is less sensitive to temperature fluctuations — important given Oman's extreme seasonal temperature range. 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 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 +968-93754388.