Polyacrylamide (PAM) for Water Treatment

What Is Polyacrylamide?

Polyacrylamide, commonly abbreviated as PAM, is a water-soluble organic polymer used mainly as a flocculant, thickener and solid-liquid separation aid.

It is widely used in wastewater treatment, sludge dewatering, mining, papermaking, oilfield operations and other industrial processes. Polyacrylamide is available in different ionic types and molecular-weight ranges to meet different application requirements.

Polyacrylamide Product Information

CAS No. 9003-05-8 is commonly used for Polyacrylamide. Modified ionic grades may have different compositions, so buyers should confirm the exact specification and SDS before ordering.

Available Polyacrylamide Types

Anionic Polyacrylamide — APAM

APAM carries negatively charged functional groups. It is commonly used for industrial wastewater clarification, mineral processing, tailings settling, sand washing and process-water recycling.

Cationic Polyacrylamide — CPAM

CPAM carries positively charged functional groups. It is mainly used for municipal and industrial sludge conditioning, thickening and mechanical dewatering.

Nonionic Polyacrylamide — NPAM

NPAM has little or no ionic charge. It may be used for wastewater treatment, mineral separation and processes where strongly ionic polymers are unsuitable.

The correct type should be selected according to the water or sludge composition, treatment objective and processing equipment.

Typical Polyacrylamide Specifications

Specifications vary between PAM types and grades. The final requirements should be confirmed through the product specification and batch Certificate of Analysis.

For drinking-water treatment, only use an appropriately certified grade that meets local requirements for residual acrylamide and maximum dosage.

How Does Polyacrylamide Work?

Polyacrylamide adsorbs onto suspended particles and connects them through polymer bridging. Ionic PAM can also help neutralize the electrical charges that keep particles separated.

This process forms larger flocs that can settle, float, filter or dewater more easily. The correct grade and dosage should be confirmed through a jar test using the customer’s actual water or sludge sample.

Main Polyacrylamide Applications

Water and Wastewater Treatment

PAM is used to improve clarification, suspended-solid removal, sedimentation, filtration and process-water recycling.

Sludge Dewatering

Selected cationic grades can improve sludge thickening and dewatering with centrifuges, belt presses, screw presses and filter presses.

Mining and Mineral Processing

PAM can support tailings settling, mineral separation, thickener operation and water recovery.

Pulp and Paper

Application-specific grades may be used as retention aids, drainage aids and wastewater-treatment flocculants.

Oil and Gas

Specialized PAM grades can be used for drilling-fluid modification, drag reduction and enhanced oil recovery.

Sand Washing and Construction

Anionic grades are commonly evaluated for sand-washing wastewater, sediment separation and selected soil-stabilization processes.

Powder vs Emulsion Polyacrylamide

Powder PAM generally requires more dissolution and aging time, while emulsion products require suitable inversion and dosing equipment.

Polyacrylamide Preparation and Use

Add powder PAM slowly and evenly into agitated water. Do not add the complete amount at once because this may produce undissolved lumps.

Use sufficient mixing to disperse the polymer, but avoid excessive mechanical shear. Follow the product-specific TDS for solution concentration, mixing time and aging requirements.

Because treatment results vary with water chemistry, pH, suspended solids and equipment conditions, laboratory testing is recommended before full-scale application.

Packaging and Storage

Polyacrylamide powder is commonly supplied in moisture-resistant lined bags. Emulsion and solution products may be supplied in drums or IBCs.

Store the product in a cool, dry and ventilated area. Keep the packaging closed and protect powder grades from moisture.

Wet PAM creates an extremely slippery surface. Clean spills promptly and follow the current Safety Data Sheet during handling.

Why Choose AOZUN Polyacrylamide?

AOZUN supplies anionic, cationic and nonionic Polyacrylamide for water treatment and industrial applications.

Available support includes:

• Grade and application matching

• Product samples

• Technical Data Sheet

• Safety Data Sheet

• Batch Certificate of Analysis

• Export packaging

• International shipment documentation

For grade selection, please provide the application, water or sludge type, treatment equipment, current product information and required quantity.

Polyacrylamide FAQs

Is Polyacrylamide organic or inorganic?

Polyacrylamide is an organic synthetic polymer. Commercially, it is classified as a specialty fine chemical rather than a chemical intermediate.

Which PAM should be used for wastewater treatment?

APAM is commonly evaluated for clarification and inorganic particles, while CPAM is frequently used for organic sludge dewatering. The final grade should be selected through testing.

Is Polyacrylamide soluble in water?

Yes. Polyacrylamide forms a viscous aqueous solution after appropriate wetting, mixing and aging.

Request a Polyacrylamide Quote

Contact AOZUN for Polyacrylamide specifications, samples, COA, SDS, packaging options and pricing.

Please include your required PAM type, application, quantity, packaging and destination country.