by Ferrous sulfate, also known as iron (II) sulfate, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula FeSO4. It is a white crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. Iron (II) sulfate contains iron, sulfur and oxygen in a 2:1:4 ratio. It has a molecular weight of 151.908 g/mol. Iron (II) sulfate has several industrial uses and also plays an important role in human nutrition and healthcare.
Iron (II) sulfate occurs naturally as the mineral melanterite. It can be prepared synthetically by reacting ferrous hydroxide or ferrous carbonate with sulfuric acid. Commercially, it is produced on an industrial scale through this acid-base reaction for various applications.
Uses in water treatment
How is iron (II) sulfate used in water purification?
One of the major uses of Ferrous Sulfate is in water treatment processes. It serves as a coagulant and flocculant agent to remove suspended particles and impurities from water. Iron (II) sulfate neutralizes charged particles in raw water, causing them to coagulate or clump together. This makes the particles heavy enough to settle to the bottom as sludge for easier removal.
As an effective coagulant, iron (II) sulfate is widely used for treating municipal water supplies, waste-water from paper mills and other industrial facilities. It helps purify water by eliminating turbidity, color and other contaminants. Iron (II) sulfate provides clearer, cleaner water that meets stringent quality standards for industrial and drinking purposes. Its coagulation properties make it a preferred water treatment chemical globally.
Role in iron supplementation
How does ferrous sulfate supplement iron levels in the body?
Iron (II) sulfate has nutritional value as an iron supplement. Iron is an essential mineral required by the human body for red blood cell formation, oxygen transport and various biochemical processes. Iron deficiency or anemia affects a large part of the global population.
Iron (II) sulfate supplements are prescribed to individuals suffering from iron-deficiency anemia. It contains divalent ferrous iron that is readily absorbed by the intestine into the bloodstream. From the blood, iron is transported to tissues and cells where it participates in important biochemical reactions. Consumption of iron (II) sulfate supplements the body’s iron stores and helps treat conditions caused by low iron levels.
Iron (II) sulfate is considered highly bioavailable and one of the most effective iron supplements. The elemental iron content of iron (II) sulfate is about 33%. A maintenance dose provides about 65 mg of elemental iron, sufficient to meet daily iron requirements.
Applications in agriculture
How can iron (II) sulfate benefit farming?
Iron (II) sulfate finds many uses in agricultural applications as well. As an iron fertilizer, it is used to treat iron deficiency or chlorosis in plants. Chlorosis is a condition where leaves lose their green pigments due to lack of iron, resulting in a yellowing effect.
Foliar spray or soil application of Ferrous Sulfate provides readily absorbable iron to plants. It corrects iron deficiencies in a variety of crops including soybeans, citrus fruits, peaches, grapes etc. Iron (II) sulfate effectively greens plants and boosts their growth. Used as an iron supplement, it increases crop productivity and quality.
Iron (II) sulfate is also employed as a wetting agent to disperse clumped powders or granules of agricultural chemicals evenly in water. Its coagulation properties help prepare uniform spray mixes and suspensions. As a soil conditioner, iron (II) sulfate deacidifies alkaline soils by raising acid levels to optimum ranges required for plant growth. This enhances soil fertility and crop yields.
Industrial chemical manufacturing
Other industrial uses of iron (II) sulfate
Besides water treatment and agriculture, iron (II) sulfate has found various applications as an industrial chemical. Some other key uses of this versatile compound include:
– Manufacture of iron products: Iron (II) sulfate is employed in the production of iron metal, steel and alloys through electroplating. It is used as an electrolyte in winning process for copper and nickel electrolysis.
– Production of oxygen scavengers: Iron (II) sulfate reacts with sodium metabisulfite or other agents to form oxygen scavengers used in packaging for preserving food and beverages by preventing oxidative rancidity.
– Textile dyeing and printing: It acts as a mordant or fixing agent for natural dyes and colors on fabrics like cotton. Iron (II) sulfate improves light fastness of dyes.
– Paints and coatings: As a drier, iron (II) sulfate accelerates drying of oil-based paints through an oxidative reaction. It is added to alkyd resins in coatings.
– Wood preservatives: Formulations containing iron (II) sulfate effectively protect wood from decay causing fungi. It has pest control properties.
Iron (II) sulfate is a versatile industrial compound employed across a variety of sectors including water treatment, agriculture, iron supplementation, textiles and chemical manufacturing. Its coagulation, soil conditioning and nutritional properties have made iron (II) sulfate widely used commercially. With more research exploring new applications, iron (II) sulfate is projected to play a significant role in industries and human welfare in the coming times.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
