Anionic Polyacrylamide PAM Flocculant Industrial Grade

Anionic Polyacrylamide (APAM) Flocculant is a high-molecular-weight, water-soluble polymer designed for flocculation, clarification, sedimentation, thickening, filtration, and solid-liquid separation in industrial water and wastewater-treatment systems.

The product is supplied as a white to off-white granular powder with high solid content and controlled anionic characteristics. When properly dispersed and hydrated in water, the polymer forms a viscous solution whose long molecular chains can adsorb onto suspended particles and bridge them together to form larger flocs.

The resulting flocs can settle, float, filter, or dewater more efficiently than untreated fine suspended particles, making Anionic Polyacrylamide suitable for a wide variety of industrial clarification and separation processes.

Typical applications include industrial wastewater treatment, mining and mineral processing, coal washing, sand and aggregate washing, sludge thickening, metallurgical wastewater, pulp and paper processing, textile wastewater treatment, and other industrial solid-liquid separation processes.

Product Information

Product Name: Anionic Polyacrylamide Flocculant
Abbreviation: APAM / PAM
Chemical Name: Polyacrylamide
CAS No.: 9003-05-8
Grade: Industrial Grade
Ionic Type: Anionic
Physical Form: Granular Powder
Appearance: White to Off-White Granular Powder
Solid Content: ≥90.0%
Molecular Weight: 16–20 Million
Degree of Hydrolysis: 25–30%
pH (1% Solution): 7.0–10.0
Dissolution Time: ≤90 Minutes
Residual Acrylamide Monomer: ≤0.10%
Water Insoluble Matter: ≤0.20%
Water Solubility: Soluble after proper dispersion and hydration
Standard Packaging: 25 kg PE-Lined Kraft Paper Bag

Key Features

• High-molecular-weight anionic polymer
• ≥90% solid content
• 16–20 million molecular-weight range
• Controlled 25–30% degree of hydrolysis
• White to off-white granular powder
• Good water solubility after proper hydration
• Promotes formation of larger flocs
• Supports faster sedimentation
• Improves clarification
• Supports sludge thickening
• Improves solid-liquid separation
• Can improve filtration performance
• Suitable for industrial wastewater treatment
• Suitable for mining and mineral processing
• Suitable for coal-washing applications
• Suitable for sand and aggregate washing
• Suitable for metallurgical wastewater
• Suitable for pulp and paper applications
• Moisture-resistant export packaging

Technical Data Sheet 

Flocculation Mechanism

Anionic Polyacrylamide promotes flocculation primarily through polymer adsorption and particle bridging.

After the dry polymer is properly dispersed and hydrated, its long molecular chains interact with suspended particles in the treatment stream.

Sections of the polymer chain can adsorb onto different particles simultaneously, forming bridges between individual suspended solids.

This process creates larger flocs from smaller particles.

The resulting flocs can then be separated through processes such as:

• Sedimentation
• Clarification
• Flotation
• Filtration
• Thickening
• Centrifugation
• Filter pressing
• Mechanical dewatering

Treatment performance depends on wastewater composition, particle charge, pH, temperature, salinity, polymer molecular weight, degree of hydrolysis, dosage, mixing conditions, and separation equipment.

Applications

Industrial Wastewater Treatment

Anionic Polyacrylamide is widely used as a polymer flocculant and separation aid in industrial wastewater-treatment systems.

Typical applications include:

• Suspended-solid removal
• Clarification
• Sedimentation
• Flotation
• Sludge thickening
• Process-water clarification
• Filtration improvement
• Effluent treatment
• Solid-liquid separation

APAM may be used alone or together with suitable inorganic coagulants depending on the wastewater chemistry.

Mining & Mineral Processing

Anionic Polyacrylamide is particularly useful in mining and mineral-processing operations where rapid settling and recovery of suspended mineral solids are required.

Potential applications include:

• Tailings sedimentation
• Tailings thickening
• Mineral slurry clarification
• Process-water recycling
• Solid recovery
• Sludge dewatering
• Thickener operation
• Filtration improvement

The polymer grade should be selected according to ore type, particle characteristics, process-water chemistry, and separation equipment.

Coal Washing

APAM may be used in coal preparation and coal-washing plants for:

• Coal-slurry settling
• Fine-particle aggregation
• Tailings clarification
• Thickener operation
• Process-water recycling
• Filter-press conditioning
• Sludge separation

Its high molecular weight helps promote aggregation of fine suspended particles into larger, more readily separable flocs.

Sand & Aggregate Washing

Anionic Polyacrylamide may be used in wastewater generated from:

• Sand washing
• Aggregate washing
• Quarry operations
• Stone processing
• Construction-material processing
• Mineral washing

The polymer can promote aggregation and sedimentation of fine clay, silt, and other suspended mineral particles.

Metallurgical & Metal-Processing Wastewater

APAM can be used in selected:

• Steel-plant wastewater
• Metallurgical wastewater
• Metal-processing wastewater
• Mineral-processing effluent
• Electroplating wastewater after appropriate pretreatment

The product is generally used to improve floc formation and subsequent solid-liquid separation.

Sludge Thickening & Dewatering

Polyacrylamide can improve floc formation before mechanical separation.

Applications may include:

• Gravity thickeners
• Belt filter presses
• Plate-and-frame filter presses
• Centrifuges
• Screw presses
• Other sludge-separation equipment

The optimum ionic grade should be determined according to the sludge composition.

For many organic and biological sludges, a cationic PAM grade may perform better than anionic PAM, so laboratory testing is recommended before product selection.

Pulp & Paper Industry

Polyacrylamide products may be used in paper-manufacturing processes for:

• Process-water clarification
• Wastewater flocculation
• Fiber and fines retention
• Drainage improvement
• Sludge treatment
• Filtration improvement
• Solid-liquid separation

The appropriate PAM grade should be selected according to pulp chemistry and process requirements.

Textile & Dyeing Wastewater

Anionic Polyacrylamide can be used in selected textile and dyeing wastewater-treatment processes to support:

• Flocculation
• Clarification
• Suspended-solid separation
• Sludge settling
• Filtration
• Effluent-treatment processes

It may be combined with suitable coagulants depending on wastewater composition.

Polymer Solution Preparation

For effective performance, dry Anionic Polyacrylamide should be properly dispersed and fully hydrated before dosing.

Use clean preparation water and begin moderate agitation before introducing the polymer.

Add the dry granules slowly and evenly into the moving water. Avoid dumping the entire quantity into one location because rapid wetting of the outer surface can create undissolved lumps or “fish eyes.”

Continue gentle-to-moderate mixing while the polymer hydrates.

Allow sufficient dissolution time before use. For this commercial grade, allow up to approximately 90 minutes for complete hydration under suitable preparation conditions.

Avoid excessive high-shear mixing after hydration because unnecessary mechanical shear may reduce polymer-chain effectiveness.

The final solution concentration should be selected according to the dosing equipment, treatment process, and technical trial results.

Dosage & Product Selection

There is no single PAM dosage suitable for every wastewater stream.

Optimum dosage depends on:

• Wastewater composition
• Suspended-solid concentration
• Particle surface charge
• pH
• Temperature
• Salinity
• Coagulant use
• Mixing conditions
• Settling characteristics
• Molecular weight
• Degree of hydrolysis
• Treatment equipment
• Desired treatment result

Laboratory jar testing is recommended before full-scale application.

Testing several dosages can help determine the optimum polymer concentration while minimizing unnecessary chemical consumption.

Packaging

Standard Export Packaging

25 kg PE-Lined Kraft Paper Bag

The inner polyethylene liner protects the polymer against moisture while the outer kraft bag provides additional mechanical protection during handling and transportation.

Alternative Packaging

Where commercially available:

25 kg PP Woven Bag with PE Inner Liner

1000 kg Jumbo Bag with Inner Liner

Bulk packaging should only be offered when genuinely available.

Storage

Anionic Polyacrylamide powder should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated warehouse.

Recommended storage conditions:

• Keep bags tightly sealed
• Protect against moisture
• Protect from rain
• Avoid direct sunlight
• Avoid excessive heat
• Store on clean, dry pallets
• Avoid direct contact with wet floors
• Protect packaging from puncture
• Avoid contamination
• Keep away from incompatible strong oxidizing materials
• Reseal partially used bags promptly

Polyacrylamide powder is sensitive to moisture.

Excessive moisture exposure can result in:

• Caking
• Reduced powder flow
• Difficult dispersion
• Formation of lumps
• Poor dissolution
• Reduced handling quality

Under suitable unopened storage conditions, the recommended commercial shelf-life specification is 24 months.

Handling & Safety

Avoid unnecessary dust generation during handling.

Suitable workplace controls may include:

• Protective gloves
• Safety glasses or goggles
• Suitable work clothing
• Dust control
• Local ventilation
• Respiratory protection where required by workplace assessment

Dry PAM granules should be handled carefully to minimize dust.

Wet Polyacrylamide can create extremely slippery surfaces.

Spilled polymer should therefore be contained and cleaned promptly according to the facility's spill procedure.

Avoid uncontrolled discharge of concentrated polymer into drains or natural waterways.

Always follow the current product-specific Safety Data Sheet.

Residual Acrylamide Information

Polyacrylamide is a polymer manufactured from acrylamide-based monomer.

The finished polymer and residual acrylamide monomer should not be treated as the same substance.

For this Industrial Grade commercial specification:

Residual Acrylamide Monomer: ≤0.10%

This limit should be confirmed through the manufacturer's quality-control testing and batch-specific COA.

Do not describe the product as:

Zero Acrylamide

100% Non-Toxic

Food Safe

Drinking Water Approved

unless the actual supplied grade has the required analytical and regulatory documentation.

Quality Control

Each commercial batch should be inspected against the approved product specification.

Typical quality-control parameters include:

• Appearance
• Solid content
• Molecular weight
• Degree of hydrolysis
• pH
• Dissolution time
• Water insoluble matter
• Residual acrylamide monomer
• Particle size
• Batch identification

A batch-specific Certificate of Analysis should be issued according to actual test results.

Technical Data Sheet Summary

Product: Anionic Polyacrylamide Flocculant
Abbreviation: APAM / PAM
CAS No.: 9003-05-8
Grade: Industrial Grade
Ionic Type: Anionic
Appearance: White to Off-White Granular Powder
Solid Content: ≥90.0%
Molecular Weight: 16–20 Million
Degree of Hydrolysis: 25–30%
pH (1% Solution): 7.0–10.0
Dissolution Time: ≤90 Minutes
Water Insolubles: ≤0.20%
Residual Acrylamide: ≤0.10%
Particle Size: 20–100 Mesh
Bulk Density: Approx. 0.60–0.85 g/cm³
Water Solubility: Soluble after proper hydration
Packaging: 25 kg PE-Lined Kraft Paper Bag
Shelf Life: 24 Months under recommended storage conditions
Primary Application: Industrial Water & Wastewater Treatment
Additional Applications: Mining / Coal Washing / Sand Washing / Sludge Treatment / Metallurgical Wastewater / Pulp & Paper / Textile Processing

Quality Documentation

Available commercial documentation may include:

Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Batch-Specific Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Certificate of Origin

Any ISO, SGS, Bureau Veritas, NSF, AWWA, REACH, potable-water, food-grade, or other certification should only be advertised when the actual product is covered by valid documentation.

Important Grade Information

This product is offered as:

Anionic Polyacrylamide — Industrial Grade

It should not automatically be represented as:

• Food Grade
• Pharmaceutical Grade
• Drinking Water Grade
• NSF Certified
• AWWA Approved
• Cosmetic Grade
• Agricultural Grade
• Feed Grade

unless the actual supplied product meets the relevant requirements and supporting documentation is available.

Product Summary

Anionic Polyacrylamide PAM Flocculant, CAS 9003-05-8, is a high-molecular-weight industrial polymer supplied as a white to off-white granular powder. This commercial grade features ≥90% solid content, 16–20 million molecular weight, 25–30% degree of hydrolysis, pH 7–10, ≤90-minute dissolution time, ≤0.20% water insolubles, and ≤0.10% residual acrylamide monomer.

It is designed for industrial flocculation, clarification, sedimentation, thickening, filtration, and solid-liquid separation and is suitable for applications including industrial wastewater treatment, mining, coal washing, sand washing, sludge treatment, metallurgical wastewater, pulp and paper processing, and textile wastewater treatment.

Standard export packaging is 25 kg PE-lined kraft paper bags, with bulk packaging available according to supply requirements.