Aluminum sulfate (Al₂(SO₄)₃) is a chemical compound with a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. It is typically found as a hydrated salt, Al₂(SO₄)₃·xH₂O, with ‘x’ commonly being 14 to 18. This white crystalline solid is soluble in water and is primarily known for its use as a coagulating agent in water purification and wastewater treatment. It helps to remove suspended impurities by causing them to clump together into larger particles that can be more easily settled or filtered out.