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- Is low pH adversely affecting your treatment process ?
- Trouble with your water and its alkalinity ?
- Excess usage of lime and caustic soda leading to higher operations and maintenance cost ?
- Do you have safety concerns with operators handling hazardous chemicals ?
The role of alkalinity in wastewater treatment
Alkalinity can be defined as the ability of a water to neutralize acid or to absorb hydrogen ions. In municipal and industrial wastewater, many factors contribute to alkalinity such as the type of dissolved inorganic and organic compounds present in the water, the amount of suspended organic matter in the water, the presence or absence of free hydroxide alkalinity, the amount of bicarbonate in the water, or the bicarbonate to dissolved CO2 ratio etc.
The ability to strongly buffer wastewater within a desired pH range as it undergoes treatment is crucial to maintaining optimal conditions for microbiological activity and reliable wastewater treatment performance. Alkalinity is what provides strong pH buffering, which is why it is so important for the wastewater treatment industry.
ALKA-Mag+ to stabilise pH and boost alkalinity
ALKA-Mag+ (60% Mg(OH)2) has a higher neutralizing value per pound than any other alkaline additive. This translates into a 40% reduction in chemical usage when compared with caustic soda, while being significantly safer for operators to handle and more nutritive for the microorganisms being maintained – making it the most cost-effective option.
* In 2022, AMALGAM-60 was renamed ALKA-Mag+, improved stability, flowability, and reactivity from IER & Calix’s synergy.
Enquire nowKey Benefits
High neutralization potential without high pH
Reduced sludge volume making for lower cost disposal
Eliminate sodium discharge issues by substituting for caustic
Safer to handle than traditional neutralization chemicals (Lime and Caustic)
COST-EFFECTIVE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SOLUTION
SAFER FOR PEOPLE • BETTER FOR EARTH
More alkalinity than caustic soda
When an alkaline compound dissolves in water it produces hydroxide ions, OH–. These ions are responsible for the alkalinity of the solution.
Because magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) provides two hydroxides for alkalinity compared to one with NaOH (caustic soda), the usage rate for Mg(OH)2 is much less than that required for NaOH.
Lower cost-per-pound ≠ cheaper
While ALKA-Mag+ is typically more expensive then 50% NaOH on a “price per unit” basis, it is significantly less expensive in use – because every 1.0 lb of 50% NaOH can be replaced by 0.6 lbs of 60% Mg(OH)2 to provide the same number of moles of hydroxide (OH–) for pH neutralization.
Safer and greener means more savings
Unlike caustic soda, ALKA-Mag+ is non-hazardous and non-corrosive, which makes it easier and safer to handle. Spills are not reportable.
Because magnesium is a macronutrient – it is the core element of chlorophyll (makes leaves green!) – it is also beneficial to the environment, while sodium from caustic soda is a salinity hazard.
Magnesium also has coagulation properties that sodium does not. This can result in reduced sludge volume and reduced sludge hauling fees.
Caustic (sodium hydroxide) is strongly irritating and corrosive. It can cause severe burns and permanent damage to skin tissue ⇒
Customer Stories
August 14, 2020 \ ACTI-Mag \ Improving the Sustainability of Water Treatment \ Municipalities
Odor control using Magnesium hydroxide at South Coast Water District, Orange County 
Magnesium hydroxide reduces the odor to manageable levels at South Coast Water District, Orange County, United-States.
December 14, 2018 \ ACTI-Mag \ Improving the Sustainability of Water Treatment \ Municipalities
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) in wastewater odor control case study, El Centro
Magnesium hydroxide ( Mg(OH)2 ) reduces the odor to manageable levels at El Centro, Southern California, United-States.
October 07, 2020 \ ACTI-Mag \ Improving the Sustainability of Water Treatment \ Food & Beverage
Replacing caustic soda with magnesium hydroxide for metal ion precipitation
A microelectronics manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest was using a complex system of chemical additions in order to effectively remove
High quality products | Proactive customer service
We take pride in providing high-quality products, technical credibility in the applications of water, process water, and wastewater treatment, dedicated delivery specialists and equipment, and proactive on-site technical service.
Manage your wastewater without compromising your people, your operations or the earth.
- Alkalinity & pH control
- Biogas management
- Caustic replacement
- Hydrogen sulfide sequestration
- Odor & corrosion control
- Phosphorous removal
- Polymer usage reduction
- Sludge compaction
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Latest news
June 09, 2021
AMALGAM Mg(OH)2: alternative to caustic soda for wastewater treatment – with Birch Bay Water & Sewer
A safe and cost-effective alternative to the use of sodium hydroxide [caustic soda, NaOH] for wastewater alkalinity and pH adjustment
June 09, 2021
Magnesium Hydroxide’s Role in Sludge Compaction
Trying to determine how to improve wastewater sludge dewatering and compaction can be a very complicated process. The root cause
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IER News Issue 9 – December 2022
A Letter from Doug Kelley, President of IER Hi Everyone! It’s Christmastime! I hope you all enjoyed Fall’s change of
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Properties of Magnesium Hydroxide for Wastewater Treatment – Wastewater Plants
Many wastewater operators consider themselves “zoologists”. However, unlike at zoos, where the species being looked after are lions, tigers, and
December 16, 2022
Properties of Magnesium Hydroxide for Wastewater Treatment – Collection System
Once sewage enters the wastewater collection system, its chemical properties can change depending on numerous factors, the most dominant being
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Because we truly care about sanitation
Almost 2 billion people do not have a decent toilet or access to basic and safely managed sanitation. In many cases, faeces and urine end up untreated in the environment, contaminating it and threatening people’s health.
This is why IER supports WaterAid programs, to facilitate access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene in the world’s poorest and most marginalized communities.