Chemzip

Flocculants & Coagulants for Water Treatment, Mining, Paper & Oilfield

28 grades across 5 chemistry families — PAM (anionic/cationic/nonionic), inorganic coagulants (PAC/PFS/PAFC), polyDADMAC, polyamine, and natural flocculants.

Quick-Pick by System

ApplicationPrimary CoagulantPolymer FlocculantTypical DoseRecommended Grade
Municipal SewagePAC (10–30% Al₂O₃)CPAM medium-ionic Mw 8MPAC 50–150 ppm + PAM 1–3 ppmCationic PAM 30% / PAC 30% Al₂O₃
Municipal Sludge DewateringCPAM high-ionic Mw 6–10MPAM 3–8 kg/ton DSCationic PAM 50–60% (belt press)
Drinking WaterPAC food-grade (GB 15892)NPAM low MwPAC 20–80 ppm + PAM 0.1–0.3 ppmPAC food-grade + NPAM <0.5 ppm
Paper Mill White Water RetentionAlum or PAC paper-gradeAPAM Mw 10–15M (retention aid)Retention aid 0.05–0.3% on pulpPaper-grade APAM + PAC retention system
Mining TailingsLime + PFS / FeCl₃APAM Mw 15–22MPAM 30–100 g/ton oreMining-grade APAM 20% hydrolysis
Coal WashingAPAM Mw 18–22MPAM 20–60 g/tonAnionic PAM ultra-high Mw
Oilfield EOR (Polymer Flooding)HPAM Mw 15–25MHPAM 1000–2500 ppmHPAM EOR-grade hydrolyzed PAM
Printing & Dyeing WastewaterPFS or FeCl₃ + polyDADMACAPAM or AmPAM Mw 8–12MPolyDADMAC 50–200 ppm + PAM 2–5 ppmPolyDADMAC + APAM combination
Petrochemical Refinery WastewaterPAC + PolyDADMACCPAM Mw 8–12MPAC 80–200 ppm + PAM 3–6 ppmPolyDADMAC primary + CPAM secondary
Sugar Mill Juice ClarificationLime + Phosphoric acidSugar-grade PAM (food contact)PAM 1–5 ppmSugar PAM (GB 2760 compliant)
Sand Washing / Construction SludgeAPAM high Mw 18–22MPAM 1–3 kg/m³ sludgeAnionic PAM 25% hydrolysis

All Grades (by chemistry class)

Polyacrylamide (PAM) Family — Anionic / Cationic / Nonionic(9)

The workhorse polymer flocculant chemistry. Anionic (APAM) for mineral/acidic systems; cationic (CPAM) for organic sludges and biological systems; nonionic (NPAM) for clean colloidal sludges and drinking water. Molecular weight 5–25 million Daltons across grades.

water treatment chemicals

Anionic Polyacrylamide (APAM)

CAS: 25085-02-3

Anionic polyacrylamide is a high-molecular-weight water-soluble polymer widely used as a flocculant and coagulant aid in water and wastewater treatment. It carries negative charges along its backbone, making it highly effective for flocculating positively charged suspended solids. This product accelerates sedimentation and improves clarity in industrial effluent, municipal sewage, and mineral processing applications.

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water treatment chemicals

Cationic Polyacrylamide (CPAM)

CAS: 26590-05-6

Cationic polyacrylamide is a water-soluble polymer with positively charged groups that make it highly effective for flocculating negatively charged suspended particles and colloids. It is extensively used in sludge dewatering, paper manufacturing, and municipal wastewater treatment. Its cationic nature allows direct interaction with negatively charged biomass and organic matter for rapid floc formation.

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water treatment chemicals

Nonionic Polyacrylamide (NPAM)

CAS: 9003-05-8

Nonionic polyacrylamide is a high-molecular-weight polymer that carries no ionic charge, making it effective in high-salt or extreme-pH environments where ionic flocculants may underperform. It acts primarily through bridging mechanisms to aggregate suspended solids. This product is widely used in mining, coal washing, and neutral to acidic wastewater treatment.

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mining flotation chemicals

Anionic Polyacrylamide Flocculant (APAM)

Anionic Polyacrylamide (APAM) is a high molecular weight, negatively charged polymer flocculant widely used for flocculating positively charged mineral slurries, tailings, and process water in mining operations. Its anionic charge facilitates effective adsorption onto the surfaces of calcium and iron-containing minerals, forming large flocs for rapid sedimentation. APAM is the most commonly used grade in metallic ore tailings thickening and red mud disposal in alumina refining.

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mining flotation chemicals

Cationic Polyacrylamide Flocculant (CPAM)

Cationic Polyacrylamide (CPAM) is a positively charged polymer flocculant designed to flocculate negatively charged coal fines, clay-rich slurries, and acid mine drainage. It is extensively used in coal preparation plant slime circuits where high-charge clays and organic matter require a cationic flocculant for effective dewatering. CPAM achieves rapid floc formation and superior cake moisture reduction compared to non-ionic or anionic grades in these applications.

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mining flotation chemicals

Polyacrylamide Flocculant (Non-ionic)

CAS: 9003-05-8

Non-ionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a high molecular weight polymer flocculant widely used in mineral processing for tailings thickening, water clarification, and solids settling in process circuits. Its non-ionic character makes it effective across a broad pH range and with various mineral types, bridging fine particles to form large, fast-settling flocs. Non-ionic PAM is particularly suited for tailings ponds, thickener overflow clarification, and recycled water management.

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water treatment specialty chemicals

Anionic Polyacrylamide Flocculant

CAS: 9003-05-8

High molecular weight anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) flocculant designed for clarification of municipal and industrial wastewater. Operates via charge neutralization and bridging to agglomerate suspended solids into settleable flocs. Effective across a wide pH range with low dosage requirements.

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water treatment specialty chemicals

Cationic Polyacrylamide Flocculant

Cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) flocculant engineered for sludge dewatering and negatively charged wastewater systems. The positive charge density provides strong electrostatic attraction to suspended organics and fine particles, producing compact, filterable cakes. Widely used with belt filter presses and centrifuges.

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water treatment specialty chemicals

Nonionic Polyacrylamide Flocculant

Nonionic polyacrylamide (NPAM) flocculant suitable for clarification of weakly acidic and neutral wastewater where ionic flocculants are incompatible. Flocculation occurs purely by polymer bridging without charge effects, making it versatile across varying conductivity conditions. Commonly used in mining, ceramics, and coal washing.

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Inorganic Coagulants — PAC, PAFC, Alum, FeCl₃(7)

First-stage coagulant chemistry — destabilize colloids by charge neutralization before polymer flocculation. Aluminum-based (PAC, alum, sodium aluminate) for general-purpose municipal & drinking water. Iron-based (FeCl₃, PAFC) for high-color or phosphate-removal applications.

water treatment chemicals

Polyaluminum Chloride (PAC)

CAS: 1327-41-9

Polyaluminum chloride is a widely used inorganic coagulant for drinking water, municipal wastewater, and industrial effluent treatment. It destabilizes colloidal particles through charge neutralization and sweep flocculation, producing large, dense flocs that settle rapidly. PAC is effective over a broad pH range and produces less sludge volume than conventional alum.

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water treatment specialty chemicals

Polyaluminum Chloride (PAC)

CAS: 1327-41-9

Polyaluminum chloride (PAC) is a high-basicity inorganic coagulant with 30% Al2O3 content, widely used in drinking water and wastewater treatment. It forms large, dense flocs rapidly over a broad pH range and outperforms traditional alum in turbidity removal efficiency. Available as liquid or spray-dried powder.

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soil remediation chemicals

Polyaluminium Chloride Coagulant

CAS: 1327-41-9

Polyaluminium Chloride Coagulant for contaminated soil and groundwater remediation, enabling removal, immobilization, or degradation of organic and inorganic pollutants.

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water treatment specialty chemicals

Polyaluminum Ferric Chloride (PAFC)

Polyaluminum ferric chloride (PAFC) is a composite inorganic coagulant combining the charge neutralization of aluminum with the strong flocculation of iron species. It offers enhanced turbidity and color removal compared to single-metal coagulants, particularly effective for treating high-color surface waters and oily wastewater.

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water treatment specialty chemicals

Aluminum Sulfate Coagulant (Alum)

CAS: 10043-01-3

Aluminum sulfate (alum) is the most widely used coagulant for potable water treatment and municipal wastewater processing. It hydrolyzes in water to produce aluminum hydroxide flocs that capture suspended particles, colloids, and natural organic matter. Available in liquid and granular grades meeting ANSI/NSF Standard 60.

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water treatment specialty chemicals

Ferric Chloride Coagulant

CAS: 7705-08-0

Ferric chloride (FeCl3) solution is a classic inorganic coagulant used extensively in water and wastewater treatment for turbidity reduction and phosphorus precipitation. It rapidly hydrolyzes to form iron hydroxide flocs that adsorb suspended and colloidal matter. Available as 40% and 45% aqueous solutions.

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water treatment specialty chemicals

Sodium Aluminate Coagulant

CAS: 1302-42-7

Sodium aluminate (NaAlO2) is an alkaline coagulant that simultaneously provides coagulation and pH correction, making it valuable for treating acidic wastewaters and low-alkalinity source waters. It generates aluminum hydroxide flocs under alkaline conditions and is particularly effective for color and NOM removal in soft waters.

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Specialty Polymers — polyDADMAC, Polyamine, HPAM, PAA(9)

High-charge-density / specialty polymer flocculants for challenging applications. polyDADMAC and polyamine give low-dose performance in printing/dyeing and high-COD wastewater. HPAM is the standard polymer-flooding chemistry for oilfield enhanced oil recovery. PAA is a low-MW analog for builder and scale-inhibitor service.

water treatment chemicals

Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (polyDADMAC)

CAS: 26062-79-3

PolyDADMAC is a linear, fully water-soluble cationic polymer widely used as a primary coagulant and charge-neutralization agent in drinking water, wastewater, and paper manufacturing. It provides excellent removal of humic substances, turbidity, and negatively charged contaminants. PolyDADMAC is commonly used in combination with inorganic coagulants to reduce metal salt dosage and improve sludge management.

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water treatment chemicals

Polyamine Flocculant

CAS: 26590-05-6

Polyamine flocculants are high-charge-density cationic polymers used as primary coagulants and coagulant aids in water and wastewater treatment. They are highly effective for charge neutralization of negatively charged colloids, organic matter, and color removal. Polyamines are used at lower dosages than inorganic coagulants and generate significantly less sludge.

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water treatment specialty chemicals

Poly-DADMAC Flocculant Aid

CAS: 26062-79-3

Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (pDADMAC) is a strongly cationic polyelectrolyte used as a primary coagulant and coagulant aid in drinking water, industrial water treatment, and paper manufacturing. Its high quaternary ammonium charge density provides excellent colloidal charge neutralization and turbidity removal, and it is effective even in cold, low-turbidity waters where inorganic coagulants perform poorly.

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water treatment specialty chemicals

Cationic Polyamine Coagulant Aid

CAS: 68131-73-7

Cationic polyamine is a high charge density, low molecular weight organic coagulant used as a primary coagulant or coagulant aid to enhance the performance of inorganic coagulants (PAC, alum) and polymer flocculants. Its high cationic charge density rapidly neutralizes negatively charged colloidal particles, reducing the required dose of downstream inorganic coagulants by up to 50%.

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oilfield chemicals

Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide (HPAM) EOR Polymer

Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide (HPAM) is the world's most widely used polymer for chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR), providing mobility control in waterfloods by increasing the viscosity of the injected water phase. At typical field concentrations of 500–2000 ppm, it increases water viscosity from 1 to 10–40 mPa·s, improving sweep efficiency and reducing water channeling through high-permeability streaks. Molecular weight grades from 5 to 35 million Daltons are available to match reservoir conditions.

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oilfield production specialty

Polymer Flooding HPAM

CAS: 25085-02-3

Polymer Flooding HPAM is a specialty chemical for upstream oil and gas production operations. Provides effective treatment for scale, corrosion, emulsion, and flow assurance challenges in wellbore and pipeline systems.

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water treatment chemicals

Polyacrylic Acid (PAA) for Water Treatment

CAS: 9003-01-4

Polyacrylic acid is a low-molecular-weight anionic polymer used as a scale inhibitor and dispersant in cooling water, boiler water, and industrial water systems. It prevents the formation and deposition of calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, and other mineral scales on heat exchange surfaces. PAA is compatible with oxidizing biocides and other water treatment chemicals.

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detergent raw materials

Polyacrylic Acid Builder

CAS: 9003-01-4

Polyacrylic Acid Builder for detergent and cleaning product formulation, providing effective cleaning, foaming, or building performance.

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curing crosslinking

Glyoxalated PAM Crosslinker

CAS: 25085-02-3

Glyoxalated PAM Crosslinker for curing and crosslinking polymer networks, enabling controlled cure profiles and enhanced mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties.

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Industry-Specific Grades — Paper, Mining, Oilfield, Sugar(6)

Application-tuned formulations where standard PAM/PAC doesn't fit. Paper-grade APAM/CPAM act as retention/drainage aid (not flocculation); mining-grade APAM has ultra-high MW for tailings settling; sugar-grade PAM is food-contact compliant; PAC-R is the cellulose ether variant for drilling-fluid viscosity control.

paper pulp chemicals

Anionic Polyacrylamide (Paper Grade)

CAS: 9003-05-8

Anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) for paper grade is a high-molecular-weight polymer used as a retention and drainage aid in the wet end of papermaking. It works synergistically with cationic coagulants and microparticle systems to improve fine and filler retention, drainage speed, and paper formation. It also serves as a dry strength resin and flocculation aid in stock preparation.

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paper pulp chemicals

Cationic Polyacrylamide (Paper Grade)

Cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) for paper applications is a highly effective coagulant and retention aid used in the wet end of paper machines. Its positive charge allows it to interact strongly with anionic fiber fines, fillers, and colloidal substances in the stock, forming large flocs that improve retention, drainage, and paper machine runnability. It is also applied in wastewater treatment for sludge dewatering.

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paper pulp chemicals

Polyaluminum Chloride (PAC, Paper Grade)

CAS: 1327-41-9

Polyaluminum chloride (PAC) is a highly effective inorganic coagulant used in papermaking wet end and wastewater treatment. Its pre-hydrolyzed polymeric aluminum species provide superior charge neutralization and coagulation of colloidal substances compared to conventional alum, and are effective over a wider pH range (5–9). PAC improves retention, drainage, and formation while also functioning as a fixative for anionic substances in the furnish.

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oilfield chemicals

Polyanionic Cellulose Regular (PAC-R) for Drilling Fluids

CAS: 9004-32-4

PAC-R (Polyanionic Cellulose, Regular grade) is a cellulose-derived fluid loss control agent and viscosifier used in water-based drilling fluids. It effectively reduces filtration loss and builds moderate viscosity in both freshwater and salt-saturated (NaCl, KCl, CaCl₂) mud systems. PAC-R forms a thin, low-permeability filter cake on the borehole wall to prevent formation fluid influx and protect productive formations.

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sugar starch processing

PAM Flocculant Sugar Processing

CAS: 9003-05-8

PAM Flocculant Sugar Processing for sugar refining and starch processing industries, enabling efficient conversion, purification, and modification of sugar and starch products.

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agricultural crop chemicals

Polyacrylamide Anti-Drift Agent

CAS: 9003-05-8

High-molecular-weight polyacrylamide (PAM) is used as an anti-drift agent in agricultural sprays to increase spray droplet size, reduce fine mist generation, and minimize off-target drift under field conditions. When added to spray tanks at low concentrations (0.01–0.1%), PAM viscoelastic properties shift the droplet size distribution towards larger, less drift-prone droplets while maintaining acceptable coverage. It is particularly valuable in aerial application and high-risk drift scenarios near sensitive areas.

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Natural & Specialty Flocculants(4)

Bio-sourced and niche alternatives — chitosan for food-grade or drinking-water polishing where synthetic PAM is restricted; guar gum for mining; humic acid and ceramic deflocculants for ceramic-slurry applications.

water treatment specialty chemicals

Chitosan Natural Coagulant

CAS: 9012-76-4

Chitosan is a natural biopolymer coagulant derived from crustacean chitin, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic inorganic coagulants. Its cationic amino groups provide charge neutralization and bridging for suspended particles and turbidity removal. Biodegradable, non-toxic, and approved for use in food and potable water applications.

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mining flotation chemicals

Guar Gum (Mining Grade Flocculant)

CAS: 9000-30-0

Guar Gum is a natural polysaccharide flocculant and depressant derived from guar beans, used in mineral processing for selective depression of talc and other sheet silicate gangue minerals in sulfide flotation. It is also employed as a natural flocculant for tailings slurries where biodegradable reagents are preferred. Guar Gum performs effectively at low temperatures and under alkaline conditions typical in metallic ore flotation circuits.

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ceramic glass additives

Ammonium Polyacrylate Ceramic Deflocculant

CAS: 9003-04-7

Ammonium polyacrylate (APA) is the ammonium-neutralized form of polyacrylic acid, used as a premium dispersant for alumina and other technical oxide ceramic slips. It provides excellent steric stabilization without introducing sodium ions, making it ideal for applications requiring high purity and low alkali contamination such as electronic substrates and MLCC green sheets.

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ceramic glass additives

Humic Acid Ceramic Deflocculant (Dolapix Analog)

CAS: 1415-93-6

Humic acid-based deflocculants are natural polyelectrolyte dispersants functionally analogous to commercial products such as Dolapix CE64. They adsorb strongly onto alumina and oxide surfaces, providing electrosteric stabilization and enabling ultra-low viscosity slips at high solids content. Suitable for colloidal processing, gel casting, and direct coagulation casting of advanced ceramics.

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Imported Brand → China Equivalent

Equivalents are indicative; verify against TDS for project-critical applications.

International Brand GradeChina EquivalentMajor Chinese Producers
BASF Zetag 8868 FS40 (CPAM 40%)Cationic PAM 40% Mw 8M山东诺尔生物 (Norit), 巩义恒泰, 安徽巨成
BASF Zetag 4145 / Magnafloc LT22SCationic PAM 50% Mw 6M (sludge dewatering)山东诺尔生物, 河北邯郸顺天, 安徽巨成
SNF Flopam AN923 (APAM Mw 12M)Anionic PAM 25% Mw 12M (mining)山东诺尔生物, 巩义恒泰, 东营信亨
SNF Flopam AN934 (HPAM EOR)HPAM Mw 18M (oilfield)东营信亨, 山东诺尔生物, 北京恒聚
Kemira Superfloc N-100 (NPAM)Nonionic PAM Mw 8M巩义恒泰, 河北邯郸顺天
BASF Polyfloc 30N (PAC 30% Al₂O₃)PAC 30% Al₂O₃ basicity 70–90%巩义市净水材料 (cluster), 河南瑞洁, 河南豫润
Kemira PIX-313 (FeCl₃ 40%)FeCl₃ 40% solution山东天力净水, 江苏聚仕
Solenis Praestol K144L (polyDADMAC)PolyDADMAC 40% Mw 200K山东诺尔生物, 河北邯郸顺天, 滨州龙马
Solenis Praestol 2510 (Polyamine)Polyamine epi-DMA Mw 200K山东诺尔生物, 河北邯郸顺天
Kurita 8-105 (Paper retention APAM)Paper-grade APAM 15M (retention aid)杭州海福德, 山东诺尔生物
BASF Polymin SK (PEI cationic)PEI / Polyethyleneimine巴斯夫 (大化股份), 沃克化学 (Vinch)

Frequently Asked Questions

APAM, CPAM, NPAM — which polyacrylamide should I use?

Choose APAM (anionic) for mineral / acidic / negatively-charged solids; CPAM (cationic) for organic sludges and biological wastewater; NPAM (nonionic) for neutral colloidal suspensions and drinking water polishing.

PAM works by bridging — long polymer chains physically link destabilized particles into rapidly-settling flocs. The right ionic character is the polymer chain's charge matching the surface charge of the solids you want to remove. Mineral tailings, paper fibres, oil-droplets, and most inorganic colloids carry net negative surface charge (zeta potential −30 to −60 mV) — APAM gives nothing useful here unless the system has already been coagulated to neutral; the workhorse is CPAM for direct flocculation. Conversely, alkaline mine tailings and clay suspensions are highly negative and respond directly to APAM. Always run a jar test with the actual feed before locking specifications — the ionic optimum is system-specific and can swing 20+ points on hydrolysis degree.

Why does PAM molecular weight matter? When do I need 25M Mw vs 5M Mw?

Higher molecular weight gives stronger bridging and faster settling, but at the cost of higher dissolution time, more shear-sensitivity, and steeper viscosity at solution concentration. Use ultra-high Mw (18–25M) for mining tailings and oilfield EOR; medium Mw (8–12M) for municipal sewage and sludge; low Mw (5–8M) for drinking water polish.

Polymer bridging efficiency scales with chain length — a 25M Mw PAM chain extends roughly 200 nm in solution and can link particles separated by similar distances, whereas a 5M chain only reaches ~50 nm. For coarse mineral tailings (50–500 μm particle size) you need the long-reach polymer to capture the inter-particle distances. For fine colloidal suspensions (drinking water turbidity, <10 NTU residual), a low-MW polymer disperses faster and gives sufficient bridging without over-shear damage at high mixing energy. For sludge dewatering specifically, very high MW + high charge density (5M MW × 50% cationic) is preferred over higher MW alone — the charge neutralization component matters more than bridge length once particles are micron-scale. Specify both MW and charge density when ordering.

PAC vs Alum vs PFS — which inorganic coagulant should I choose?

PAC for general-purpose municipal & drinking water (best cost-performance, mild pH effect); Alum for established alum-equipped plants and low-color water; PFS for high-color, high-phosphate, and printing/dyeing applications where iron-flocs are desired.

PAC (polyaluminum chloride) is partially-pre-hydrolyzed and forms larger pre-formed colloid clusters than alum. Result: lower required dose (10–60 mg/L vs alum 20–100 mg/L), wider operating pH range (6.5–8.5 vs alum 5.5–7.5), and less alkalinity consumption — these are the reasons PAC has displaced alum in 80%+ of new Chinese municipal plants. Iron-based PFS (polyferric sulfate) makes large, dense flocs that settle 30–50% faster than aluminum flocs and is much more effective at removing dissolved phosphate (Fe(OH)₃ has 100× higher P-binding affinity than Al(OH)₃). Iron coagulants give brown-stained sludge (unsightly but harmless) and are best for industrial wastewater where colour is acceptable; for drinking water, the FeCl₃ residual must stay below 0.3 mg/L. PAFC (poly-aluminum-ferric chloride) is a hybrid optimized for high-turbidity raw water in northern China where seasonal mud loads exceed 5000 NTU.

What is the standard process: should I use coagulant first or flocculant first?

Always coagulant first (PAC / Alum / FeCl₃) to destabilize colloids by charge neutralization, then polymer flocculant (PAM) second to bridge destabilized particles into large settleable flocs. The two-stage sequence is non-negotiable.

Skipping the coagulant and going straight to polymer flocculant is the most common operator mistake. Without charge neutralization, the colloidal solids still repel each other electrostatically and the PAM polymer just gets adsorbed onto individual particles without bridging them — you end up consuming 5–10× more polymer for poor results. Standard process design: (1) raw water + coagulant in rapid-mix tank at G = 600–1000 s⁻¹ for 1–3 min, (2) coagulant-treated water + diluted PAM solution in slow-mix tank at G = 30–60 s⁻¹ for 10–30 min to grow flocs, (3) sedimentation/dissolved air flotation/filtration. Polymer must be diluted to 0.05–0.5% working solution before dosing — direct addition of 5–10% stock damages MW by shear and over-dilutes downstream.

How do I optimize PAM dosing for sludge dewatering?

Run CST (Capillary Suction Time) or specific resistance to filtration (SRF) jar tests across a dose ladder (1, 3, 5, 8, 12 kg PAM per ton dry solids). The optimum is the lowest dose where cake solids reach 18–25% (belt press) or 25–35% (centrifuge/screw press).

Sludge dewatering economics is dominated by polymer cost (PAM at ¥25-40/kg × 3-8 kg/T DS = ¥100-300/T sludge treated) and post-dewatering cake disposal cost. Over-dosing PAM beyond optimum (1) wastes polymer money, (2) creates sticky cake that blinds press belts, (3) gives soluble polymer residual that interferes with downstream biological treatment. Under-dosing gives poor cake solids and high filtrate suspended solids. The CST test is the standard rapid screen — 30-second CST < 100 s indicates good dewaterability. For raw secondary sludge from municipal STP, expect 3-5 kg CPAM (50-60% charge, Mw 6-8M) per ton DS; for waste-activated sludge (WAS), 5-8 kg/T DS; for chemically-thickened primary sludge, 2-4 kg/T DS.

PolyDADMAC and polyamine — when do these beat PAM?

Use polyDADMAC or polyamine when you need high charge density at low dose — high-COD industrial wastewater (printing/dyeing, oil refinery, food-processing), where their concentrated cationic groups neutralize organic-laden colloids more efficiently than even high-cationic PAM.

PolyDADMAC (poly-diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and polyamine (epi-DMA, condensate of epichlorohydrin and dimethylamine) are sub-million MW (~100-300K) but carry one quaternary ammonium per repeat unit — meaning charge density is 5-10× higher than the highest-ionic PAM. They are NOT bridging flocculants; they are coagulants that work through massive charge neutralization. In printing/dyeing wastewater carrying anionic dye particles, 30-80 ppm polyDADMAC neutralizes the dye charge directly and gives a clear effluent at lower cost than PAC+PAM combined. The downside is their flocs are smaller and slower-settling than PAM bridges — for high-throughput plants, combine polyDADMAC as primary coagulant with low-dose APAM as secondary flocculant (the Solenis 'Praestol' approach). PolyDADMAC is also the standard primary coagulant for oily produced water in offshore platforms — its high charge density breaks oil-in-water emulsions faster than alum.

What is HPAM, and how is it different from regular APAM?

HPAM (partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide) is APAM with elevated hydrolysis degree (25–35%) and ultra-high molecular weight (15–25M Daltons), engineered specifically for oilfield polymer flooding (enhanced oil recovery) — not water treatment.

Polymer flooding for enhanced oil recovery uses ~1000-2500 ppm HPAM in injection water to raise viscosity from 1 cP (water) to 20-50 cP — this displaces residual oil from low-permeability rock pores that water alone cannot reach, raising oil recovery from 20% (waterflood) to 35-50%. The specs are radically different from water-treatment APAM: HPAM needs salt-tolerance (resists viscosity loss in formation brine at 30,000-50,000 mg/L TDS), thermal stability (survives 70-90°C reservoir temperature for years), and shear resistance (no MW degradation through topside pumps and downhole gravel packs). Daqing oilfield (China) is the largest HPAM polymer-flooding operation globally, consuming 200-300 kt/yr HPAM. New variants include hydrophobically-modified HPAM and AMPS-copolymer (better salt tolerance) for high-salinity formations. Don't substitute water-treatment APAM into oilfield service — it won't pass salt/temperature tests.

Can I use chitosan or guar gum for drinking water instead of synthetic PAM?

Yes — chitosan is FDA / EU / FSSAI approved as a coagulant aid for drinking water and food-processing applications. Guar gum works in mining but is not drinking-water grade. Both have lower flocculation efficiency than synthetic PAM at 3–5× higher dose.

Chitosan (deacetylated chitin from crab/shrimp shell) is a natural cationic polymer with quaternary ammonium charge in slightly acidic solution. Drinking water grade chitosan is supplied at 85-95% deacetylation degree, MW 100-500K, dosed at 1-5 ppm. The advantage over PAM is full GRAS food-contact status (no acrylamide monomer residual concern), the disadvantage is 3-5× higher cost per unit clarification efficiency. Chitosan is the standard polymer for premium-brand bottled water and some EU municipal plants where 'natural' is a marketing requirement. Guar gum (from cluster bean) is a galactomannan polysaccharide — works well as APAM substitute in mineral processing (gold ore CIP/CIL circuits commonly use guar gum or starch flocculants), but is not approved for drinking water and degrades quickly in warm wastewater (bacterial consumption). For sludge or industrial wastewater, synthetic PAM remains 5-10× more cost-effective.

What documents are available — COA, MSDS, TDS?

Yes — Certificate of Analysis (COA), Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS), and Technical Data Sheet (TDS) are provided standard. For food-contact, drinking-water, and pharmaceutical applications, additional regulatory compliance letters (FDA, EU 10/2011, NSF/ANSI 60, GB 17514) are available.

COA for PAM includes: appearance, solid content (typically ≥88% for powder, 30-50% for emulsion), ionic charge density (% mole), intrinsic viscosity (proxy for Mw), free acrylamide monomer (must be <500 ppm for water treatment, <50 ppm for drinking water, <0.05% for food-contact per FDA 21 CFR 173.10), particle size distribution (for powder), pH (1% solution). For drinking water grade specifically, NSF/ANSI 60 certification (USA), EN 1407 (EU), or GB/T 17514 (China) is required and tested per batch. PAC COA includes Al₂O₃ content (typically 28-32% for solid, 8-12% for liquid), basicity (60-90%), insoluble matter (<0.5%), heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb per WHO drinking water guidelines). For high-purity drinking water PAC, additional sulfate and chloride balance specs are required.

What is the minimum order quantity and what are the standard packaging options?

Starter samples 1–5 kg; standard commercial MOQ 1 metric ton (PAM powder) or 25 metric tons (PAC liquid / inorganic coagulants). Packaging: 25 kg woven bags (PAM powder), 1 t IBC totes (liquid PAC/PFS), 25 t ISO tank (bulk liquid).

PAM powder shelf life is 2 years from manufacture in original sealed PE-lined woven bag, stored below 30°C away from moisture. PAM emulsion (water-in-oil, 30-50% active) has 12 months shelf life but is ready-to-use (no dissolution time) and preferred for automated dosing systems — supplied in 1 t IBC tote. PAC and PFS liquids are corrosive (pH 1-4) and must ship in HDPE IBC totes (not metal); 28-32% Al₂O₃ solid PAC ships in 25 kg woven bags or 1 t jumbo bags. For full-container-load (FCL) economic shipping: 20-foot container holds 24 t PAM powder or 25 t PAC liquid; 40-foot container 48 t / 50 t respectively. Sea freight transit Asia-EU 4-5 weeks, Asia-NA 3-4 weeks, Asia-India 10-15 days, Asia-SEA 5-7 days.

How do Chinese prices compare to BASF Zetag, SNF Flopam, Kemira Superfloc, Solenis Praestol?

Chinese-origin PAM and PAC are typically 35–60% lower CIF than equivalent international brand grades, with the gap widest on commodity APAM/CPAM/PAC and narrowing for specialty grades (HPAM EOR, polyDADMAC, sugar-grade PAM).

Commodity APAM/CPAM Mw 12M from a Tier-1 Chinese producer (山东诺尔 / 巩义恒泰) prices roughly $1.50-2.50/kg CIF major ports vs SNF Flopam or BASF Zetag at $3.50-5.00/kg. Quality parity has improved significantly since 2018 — Chinese producers now invest in continuous polymerization reactors and gel-degradation control matching European specs. For oil & gas EOR HPAM, the gap narrows because only 3-4 Chinese producers (东营信亨, 北京恒聚, 山东诺尔, 蓝星石化) are qualified for offshore service; pricing is $2.50-4.00/kg vs SNF $5-7/kg. For NSF/ANSI 60 drinking water grades, BASF and Kemira retain a premium ($4-6/kg vs Chinese $1.50-2.50/kg) due to audit-trail reputation. Quality matters most for sludge dewatering where mis-dose costs more than polymer — for commodity water treatment, Chinese product wins on cost-performance and is now used by Tier-1 European municipal contractors via private-label.

What is the sample policy?

Free 100–500 g samples of PAM powder available on company letterhead inquiry; PAC liquid samples up to 5 L are also free. Courier charges (DHL Express) at buyer's account for non-DHL-account buyers.

To request a sample, send a company letterhead inquiry specifying: (1) grade family (APAM/CPAM/NPAM/HPAM/PAC/PFS/polyDADMAC/specialty), (2) target ionic charge density % or Mw, (3) intended application (sludge dewatering / mining / paper / etc.), (4) annual volume estimate. Samples ship within 3-5 business days by DHL Express (3-5 days to EU/US, 1-2 days to India/SEA). Each sample includes full COA, MSDS, and TDS. For drinking-water and food-contact applications, add NSF/ANSI 60 or FDA 21 CFR 173.10 compliance documentation. Polymer samples beyond 500g and liquid PAC samples beyond 5 L may incur handling fees. For jar test optimization, Chemzip can also provide an application engineer consultation by email/WhatsApp.

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