Brief Overview

Iron (ll) sulfate exist most commonly as heptahydrate form and it is highly soluble in water to produce the complex [Fe(H₂O)₆]²⁺, which has octahedral molecular geometry and is paramagnetic.

Manufacturing Process

Ferrous sulfate monohydrate is obtained from a pickling solution containing ferrous chloride, hydrochloric acid and water and reacted in a precipitating reactor in the presence of excess sulfuric. Ferrous sulfate monohydrate is then converted in a crystallization reactor in the presence of water into ferrous sulfate heptahydrate as crystallized product. After which, water is isolated from the ferrous sulfate heptahydrate.

Water Treatment Industry

Can be used in the water treatment process to help form heavy flocs that settle quickly.

Dye and Textile Industry

Ferrous sulfate was used in the manufacture of inks, especially iron gall ink. It is also used in wool dyeing a mordant. There are two different methods for the direct application of indigo dye. One of these is known as china blue and involved iron(II) sulfate. After printing an insoluble form of indigo onto the fabric, the indigo was reduced to leuco-indigo in a sequence of baths of ferrous sulphate. Sometimes, it is included in canned black olives as an artificial colorant.

Agricultural Industry

Iron (II) sulfate is sold as ferrous sulfate, a soil amendment for lowering the pH of a high alkaline soil so that plants can access the soil's nutrients.