University-level STEM Experiment: Recycling Cans to Alum The Ohio State University

ENG 5797.14 | Spring 2015 Taylor Ourada, Mary Scherer, Ramon Weldemicael

Table of Contents I. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 II. Learning Objectives ........................................................................................ 1 III. Materials .......................................................................................................... 2 IV. Procedure ....................................................................................................... 2

Introduction ................................................................................................................. 3 Pre-lab .......................................................................................................................... 3 Detailed Procedure ..................................................................................................... 4 Continued Exploration .............................................................................................. 11

V. Conclusion .................................................................................................... 12

I. Introduction

This experiment is designed for University-level students with an introductory

background in general chemistry. The experiment was performed with University

students in Pasto, Colombia, at the Universidad de Nariño. The experiment aims

to give students hands on experience with inorganic synthesis and focus on the

importance of water purification.

II. Learning Objectives

The following were established as the main learning objectives for the Recycling

Cans to Alum experiment.

• Students will develop an understanding of chemical recycling as the

experiment focuses on creating a new chemical product out of a

previously used material.

• Students will investigate the water purification process and how

coagulants are an integral part.

• Students will develop knowledge in inorganic synthesis.

• Students will learn laboratory safety principles when working with harsh

chemicals and heat sources.

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III. Materials

A main goal of this experiment was affordability. All materials chosen were

considered to be easily accessible and free or low cost.

Materials required:

Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)

Potassium Hydroxide (NaOH)

95% Ethanol

Hot plate/heat source

Buchner funnel

Glassware (500mL & 250mL beakers, stirring rod)

Filter paper

Personal safety equipment (goggles, gloves, etc.)

Sand paper

Scissors

This experiment should be performed in a laboratory with safety equipment (e.g.,

lab coats and glasses) as well as fume hoods due to some of the reactions that

will be taking place.

IV. Procedure

This procedure was taken and adapted from the Georgia Institute of Technology

Chem 1312 Lab Manual (2008-2009). The introduction, pre-lab questions, and

detailed lab procedure can be seen below. A translated Spanish version of the

entire lab can be found as Appendix A.

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Introduction

Coagulant chemicals are mainly used in water purification by removing turbidity,

color, and some bacteria from water. The primary coagulants neutralize the

electrical charges of particles in the water, which causes the particles to clump

together. The most commonly used coagulants are alum and ferric sulfate.

The process of manufacturing aluminum from its ores requires large amounts of

electrical energy. Therefore we must find ways to recycle materials we use. In

this experiment, a chemical process will be used that transforms scrap aluminum

from soda cans into a useful chemical compounds. Alum or potassium sulfate

dodecahydrate will be prepared from the waste aluminum. Alum is a cation and

most alums crystallize readily as octahedral or cubes which, under the

appropriate conditions, may grow to considerable size.

After the alum is produced, it can used in coagulation process. Coagulation is

affected by changes in the water's pH, alkalinity, temperature, time, and velocity.

Coagulant aids, such as lime and bentonite, are not always required but are

generally used to reduce flocculation time.

Pre-lab

As this experiment aimed to engage University-level students, it was crucial to

include an education pre-lab activity to introduce the experiment and key

concepts.

1. Define an amphoteric compound and give an example.

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An amphoteric compound is a molecule or ion that can react as an acid as

well as a base. Examples are amino acids and proteins.

2. Describe how to clean up small amounts of very strong acid 9 M?

Neutralize with sodium bicarbonate and clean up with a paper towel.

3. Describe how to clean up small amounts of 1.4 M KOH?

Clean up using an absorbent, wash area with water and detergent.

4. If the plastic coating from the soda can sample is not completely removed

will the yield be higher or lower than just using a pure Al sample? Explain.

The yield will be lower than using pure Al because the plastic coating is

included in the scrap aluminum measurement.

These pre-lab questions can be assigned before the class period or can be done

interactively as a class at the beginning of the lab.

Detailed Procedure

After students have been introduced to the principles of coagulation and

introductory chemical principles that will be explored, the hands-on experiment

can be performed. Detailed instructions (with pictures of key steps) for the

students to follow can be seen below.

1. Carefully cut your aluminum can to a square that is approximately 5 cm x

7.5 cm.

2. Scrape all of the paint off of the can using sandpaper.

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Figure 1

3. Weigh the square of aluminum and ensure that it is between 0.9 and 1.2

grams of aluminum. Cut off additional pieces of aluminum if needed to

obtain a square of this weight.

4. Cut your aluminum square into smaller squares that are 0.5-1 cm x 0.5-1

cm. Place your smaller squares into a 250 mL beaker.

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Figure 2

5. Measure 50 mL of 1.4 M KOH and pour into the 250 mL beaker containing

the small aluminum squares.

6. Place the 250 mL beaker on a hot plate in a fume hood and set to low

heat. Leave on low heat for 30 minutes.

a. If the liquid level drops to less than half of its original volume, you

must add distilled water to ensure that the volume is maintained

above 25 mL. The final volume of the liquid should be between 25-

50 mL. (In some cases, the liquid level remained as high as 75mL –

this is okay, too.)

b. The reaction is complete when hydrogen is no longer bubbling from

the surface. What color changes do you observe during the 30

minutes? What other observations can you note about the

aluminum fragments during the reaction?

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Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5

7. Set up a 500 mL filter flask with a Buchner funnel, filter paper, and tube to

aspirator on the water facet as seen in the diagram below. It is crucial to

make sure that your flask is secured with the clamp and the filter paper is

moistened before you begin filtering.

8. Filter the 25-50mL solution using the suction filtration technique. Rinse the

beaker with approximately 5 mL of distilled water and pour through the

filter. Repeat this rinse a second time.

a. The filtrate should be clear with all dark residue remaining on the

filter paper.  

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Figure 6 Figure 7

9. Transfer the filtrate to a clean 250 mL beaker. Rinse the filter flask with 10

mL of distilled water and pour into the 250 mL beaker.

10. Prepare an ice bath in a 500 mL beaker by filling the beaker halfway with

ice. Add just enough cold water to cover the ice. Cool the 250 mL beaker

containing the filtrate.

11. Measure 20 mL of 9.0 M H2SO4. While one group member stirs the filtrate

solution, have another member slowly add the 20 mL of 9.0 M H2SO4 to

the solution.

a. A white precipitate should be observed. You will most likely not

sense this, but heat is also generated in this step as well.

b. As you continue to add sulfuric acid, the white precipitate will begin

to dissolve the Al(OH)3 that was forming the white precipitate.

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Figure 8

12. Warm the solution at low temp and continue to stir until the Al(OH)3 is

completely dissolved in the solution.

a. This solution now contains potassium ions (from the KOH),

aluminum ions, and sulfate ions.

13. Prepare another ice bath (the same beaker can be used). Set the 250 mL

beaker containing the solution from Part 12 in the ice bath to chill for 15

minutes.

a. Crystals of alum should begin to form. If crystals do not form within

the 15 minutes, you will have to induce crystallization.

i. You may add a small amount of ethanol, which will reduce

the solubility of the product.

ii. You may also scratch the inside of the beaker containing the

solution.  

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b. Up to 25-30 minutes total may be required to form the

crystallization desired.

Figure 9 Figure 10

14. Clean and reassemble the vacuum filtration equipment in order to filter

your alum crystals. As a reminder, be sure that your flask is secured with a

clamp and your filter paper is moistened before you begin.

15. Filter your solution containing the alum crystals; utilize your rubber spatula

to transfer as many of the crystals as possible.  

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Figure 11 Figure12

16. Measure 25 mL of 95% ethanol and chill in an ice bath for 5 minutes.

17. Use a quarter of the ethanol to rinse the alum crystalline product into the

filter. Rinse the beaker a second, third, and fourth time using the ethanol

to transfer as much product as possible to the filter.

18. Use your spatula to distribute the crystals evenly on the filter paper.

19. Allow the aspirator to pull air through the crystals for 10 minutes.

20. Weigh and record the mass of a weigh boat.  

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Figure 13

21. Transfer the air-dried crystals from the filter paper to a weigh boat using

your spatula. Weigh and record the total mass of alum synthesized

(subtracting out the initial weight of the boat).

22. Clean up (:

23. Calculate your percent yield:

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡  𝑌𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 =  𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙  𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑  𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 ∗ 100

Continued Exploration

After the Alum has been created, there are many options for continuing the

educational opportunities of this lab. In Pasto, Colombia, the Alum created during

the University-level experiment was then used in a demonstration for grade

school students who were also learning about water purification.

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V. Conclusion

This experiment engages University-level students in an applicable and relevant

chemistry lab that can lead to long-term projects and engagement in the

University’s community. This experiment is also highly adaptable and can be

simplified or made more complex as the student’s age range changes. Engaging

students in sustainable and impactful labs such as this offer an opportunity for

educational development as well growing excitement in crucial processes such

as the water treatment process.

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