Anionic Polyelectrolyte, Anionic Poly Electrolite, Anionic Polyacrylamide, Polyacrylamide, Poliakrilamid, Anionic Flocculant, PAM, APAM, 9003-05-8

ANIONIC POLYELECTROLYTE (ANIONIC POLYACRYLAMIDE)

1. PRODUCT IDENTITY AND CHEMICAL INFORMATION

General Description: Anionic polyelectrolytes are high molecular weight, water-soluble polymers. These polyacrylamide derivatives contain negatively charged ionic groups (carboxylate, sulfonate, etc.) and function as flocculants in many industrial processes, especially water treatment. When used with coagulants, they accelerate the sedimentation of suspended solids and improve sludge dewatering efficiency.

2. CHEMICAL STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES

3. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

4. SOLUBILITY AND PREPARATION

Important Notes:

• Powder should be added slowly and with continuous stirring to prevent lump formation.

• High mixing speeds cause polymer chain degradation and performance loss.

• Emulsion form provides rapid solubility even at low temperatures and is compatible with automated dosing systems.

5. MECHANISM AND PERFORMANCE

5.1 Flocculation Process (4 Steps)

5.2 Detailed Mechanism

• Bridging: High molecular weight polymer chains connect multiple particles, forming agglomerates.

• Charge Neutralization (auxiliary): Anionic polymers are optimized for bridging after coagulant addition, not for direct charge neutralization.

• Adsorption: Polymer chains attach to particle surfaces via hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces.

6. POLYELECTROLYTE TYPES AND COMPARISON

7. INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION AREAS

7.1 Wastewater and Drinking Water Treatment

• Post-coagulation flocculation

• Sludge dewatering (centrifuge, belt press, filter press)

• Low-turbidity water treatment (high efficiency at low dosages)

• Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants

7.2 Paper and Pulp Industry

• Fiber recovery

• White water reuse

• Paper strength enhancement

• Homogeneous distribution of fillers

7.3 Oil and Gas Industry

• Viscosity control and solids stabilization in drilling fluids

• Flocculant for oil-water separation

• Produced water management

7.4 Mining

• Ore beneficiation

• Wastewater recovery

• Increased sedimentation rate after flotation

• Coal washing and thickening processes

7.5 Textile Industry

• Dye bath treatment

• Process water recovery

• Sludge dewatering in biological treatment plants

7.6 Agriculture and Irrigation

• Particle removal and filter protection in irrigation systems

• Treatment of agricultural drainage water

7.7 Sugar Industry

• Syrup filtration

• Impurity removal

• Flocculation of calcium phosphate precipitate

7.8 Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals

• Gel-forming and absorbent agent

• Carrier polymer for controlled release systems

• Rheological modifier

7.9 Other Industries

• Food industry (emulsifier, gel former – special grade required)

• Concrete additives (water retention)

• Metal recovery (enhances electrolytic precipitation efficiency)

• Phosphoric acid treatment (gypsum separation)

8. EMULSION FORM (LIQUID) PROPERTIES

Emulsion Form Technical Data:

• Active content: 30 – 50%

• Viscosity: 500 – 5000 cP (type-dependent)

• Shelf life: 6 – 12 months (protect from freezing)

9. DOSAGE AND OPERATING CONDITIONS

Factors for Dosage Optimization:

• Suspended solids concentration and type

• Water temperature and pH

• Ionic strength (salinity)

• Type and dosage of coagulant used

• Flocculation equipment type

10. TECHNICAL CHARACTERIZATION PARAMETERS

11. SYNTHESIS METHODS (PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY)

12. INDUSTRY SUITABILITY TABLE

13. APPLICATIONS REQUIRING MANDATORY USE

14. PACKAGING AND SHELF LIFE

15. STORAGE AND HANDLING PRECAUTIONS

• Moisture Protection: Polyelectrolyte powder is hygroscopic; caking occurs in humid environments.

• Temperature: Prolonged storage above 40°C causes polymer degradation.

• Freezing (emulsion form): Emulsion products degrade irreversibly if frozen.

• Dust Control: Use ventilation and personal protective equipment (dust mask) to avoid inhalation of powder.

• Spill Management: Sweep up dry; do not wash with water (creates slippery surfaces).

16. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY

17. OTHER NAMES AND TECHNICAL SYNONYMS

General Chemical Names:

• Anionic Polyelectrolyte

• Anionic Polyacrylamide

• Polyacrylamide (PAM)

• APAM (Anionic Polyacrylamide)

CAS and Structure References:

• Poly(acrylamide)

• Acrylamide Resin

• Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide

• Acrylamide Gel Solution

Sectoral Usage Variations:

• Flocculant

• Coagulant Aid

• Sludge Dewatering Polymer

• Water Treatment Polymer

• Organic Coagulant

• Filtration Aid

• Process Polymer

International Trade Names:

• Anionic PAM

• Anionic Flocculant

• Sludge Dewatering Agent

• Wastewater Clarifier

• APAM Powder / APAM Emulsion

• High Molecular Weight Anionic Polymer

18. TECHNICAL COMPARISON TABLE

19. BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS (SPECIAL GRADE)

Note: Biomedical applications require special purity grade products with low monomer residue and biocompatibility certification.

20. SAFETY AND WARNING INFORMATION

Important: This technical data sheet is for informational purposes only. Laboratory testing and field trials are recommended for specific applications. Consult the manufacturer's technical support team.

ANIONIC POLYELECTROLYTE APPLICATION GUIDE – INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC DETAILED EXPLANATION

Below, for each sector where anionic polyelectrolyte (anionic polyacrylamide) is used, the application method is described step by step, including equipment, dosage, process conditions, and key points.

1. WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS (Municipal & Industrial)

Application Type: Post-Coagulation Flocculation + Sludge Dewatering

Process Flow:

1. Pre-Coagulation (Chemical):

   • Add cationic coagulant to wastewater (FeCl₃, Al₂(SO₄)₃, PAC).

   • Rapid mixing (1-3 minutes, 200-400 rpm) to neutralize charges.

   • Adjust pH to 6-8 (depending on coagulant type).

2. Anionic Polyelectrolyte Preparation:

   • Powder form: Prepare 0.1-0.2% solution. Sprinkle powder slowly onto water surface, mix at low speed for 30-60 minutes (prevents lumping).

   • Emulsion form: Dilute directly to 0.1-0.5% solution, mix for 5-10 minutes.

3. Dosing into Flocculation Unit:

   • Dosage: 1-10 ppm (mg/L) active polymer (depending on wastewater characteristics).

   • Injection point: Immediately after coagulant addition, into the slow-mix zone (flocculator).

   • Slow mixing (20-40 rpm, 10-20 minutes) to grow flocs.

4. Sedimentation (Lamella or DAF):

   • Flocs settle by gravity or float via DAF (dissolved air flotation).

   • Settling time: 1-4 hours (shorter with lamella).

5. Sludge Dewatering:

   • Settled sludge (2-5% solids) is fed to belt press, centrifuge, or filter press.

   • Add anionic polyelectrolyte again to sludge (2-8 kg/ton dry solids).

   • Dewatering increases cake solids to 15-40%.

Key Points:

• Overdosing causes floc disintegration.

• If temperature <10°C, dissolution time increases; use lukewarm water (30°C).

• Centrifuge speed must be adjusted to floc strength.

2. DRINKING WATER TREATMENT

Application Type: Low-Turbidity Water – Coagulant Aid

Steps:

1. Coagulation: Add aluminum sulfate or ferric chloride (10-50 ppm).

2. pH Adjustment: Adjust to 6.5-7.5 (suitable for anionic polymer).

3. Anionic Polyelectrolyte Preparation:

   • For low dosage (0.1-1 ppm), prepare dilute solution (0.05-0.1%).

   • If using powder, allow at least 45 minutes for dissolution.

4. Injection: 1-2 minutes after coagulant, into flocculation tank.

5. Slow Mixing: 10-15 minutes, floc size reaches 1-5 mm.

6. Sedimentation & Filtration: Hold in sedimentation basin (30-60 minutes) before sand filter or membrane.

7. Disinfection (Chlorine/UV).

Note: Polymer residue in drinking water must be <0.5 ppm; use “drinking water grade” product with acrylamide monomer residue <0.01%.

3. PAPER AND PULP INDUSTRY

Application 1: Fiber Recovery from White Water

Process:

• White water from paper machine (0.1-0.5% fiber) is collected in a tank.

• Prepare 0.1% anionic polyelectrolyte solution.

• Dosage: 0.5-2 ppm (based on water volume).

• In a DAF unit, flocs are floated and skimmed from surface.

• Recovered fiber is returned to pulp.

Application 2: Filler Retention Enhancement (Kaolin, CaCO₃)

• Add anionic polyelectrolyte to filler suspension (50-200 g/ton filler).

• Polymer binds filler particles to fiber surface, increasing paper opacity and strength.

Equipment: Static mixer or low-shear dynamic mixer.

4. OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

Application: Oil-Water Emulsion Breaking (Produced Water Management)

Problem: Produced water from wells (10-90% water + oil + solids) is emulsified.

Solution:

1. Primary Separation: Three-phase separator removes free water and gas.

2. Chemical Dosing:

   • Prepare 0.05-0.1% anionic polyelectrolyte solution.

   • Dosage: 5-50 ppm (depending on emulsion stability).

   • Often used together with a demulsifier.

3. Mixing: Static mixer or in-line mixer, contact time 1-2 seconds.

4. Settling Tank (Gunbarrel or API separator):

   • Hold time 30-120 minutes.

   • Oil rises to top; water and flocculated solids exit from bottom.

5. Water Treatment: Separated water may undergo additional flocculation or filtration before discharge.

Drilling Fluid Application:

• Add anionic polyelectrolyte (100-500 ppm) to drilling mud.

• Increases viscosity, stabilizes solid particles (cuttings).

• Performance drops in high salinity (seawater-based mud); use salt-tolerant grade.

5. MINING

Application: Post-Flotation Tailings Sedimentation & Ore Beneficiation

Steps (e.g., Copper, Gold, Coal):

1. Flotation: Ore is ground; valuable mineral separated by froth flotation.

2. Tailings Suspension: Flotation tailings contain 10-40% solids.

3. Anionic Polyelectrolyte Preparation:

   • Use very high molecular weight (>15 million Da) product.

   • Prepare 0.05-0.1% solution, dissolve for 45-60 minutes.

4. Dosage: 20-200 g/ton dry solids (optimize by lab jar test).

5. Injection: Into thickener feed pipe using static mixer.

6. Thickener (Conical or Inclined Plate):

   • Slow rotating rake (0.1-1 rpm) promotes floc formation.

   • Clear water overflows (recovered), sludge discharges from bottom.

7. Pumping to Tailings Dam: Dewatered tailings pumped to dam.

Coal Washing Specific:

• Fine coal particles (<0.5 mm) after flotation are flocculated with anionic polyelectrolyte.

• Then dewatered by filter press or centrifuge.

6. TEXTILE INDUSTRY

Application: Dye Bath Wastewater Treatment

Process:

1. Equalization Tank: Colored wastewater (pH 8-12, high COD) is collected.

2. pH Adjustment: Reduce to 6-8 (with acid or base).

3. Coagulation (Optional):

   • For high color removal, add FeCl₃ or Al₂(SO₄)₃ (100-500 ppm).

4. Anionic Polyelectrolyte Dosing:

   • 0.1% solution, dosage 2-10 ppm.

   • Slow mixing (10-15 minutes) to form flocs.

5. Sedimentation or DAF: Colored flocs settle or float.

6. Dewatering: Sludge is pressed into cake by filter press.

Note: Reactive dyes are anionic; direct flocculation with anionic polymer may be weak. Pre-coagulation with cationic coagulant is essential.

7. AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Application: Removal of Suspended Solids from Irrigation Water (Filter Protection)

Process (especially for drip irrigation):

1. Water Source: River, pond, or well water (turbidity 10-500 NTU).

2. Anionic Polyelectrolyte Preparation:

   • Use low molecular weight (5-8 million Da) product.

   • Prepare 0.05% solution, connect to injection pump.

3. Dosage: 0.5-2 ppm (depending on turbidity).

4. Injection Point: After pump, before disk or sand filter.

5. Flocculation Pipe: Flocs grow in 10-20 meters of straight pipe.

6. Filtration: Disk filter (130 micron) or sand filter captures flocs.

7. Backwash: Filter automatically backwashes.

Benefit: Reduces dripper clogging and filter washing frequency.

8. SUGAR INDUSTRY (Beet/Cane)

Application: Raw Syrup Purification (Post-Carbonation)

Process (Beet sugar example):

1. Diffusion: Raw syrup from beet (turbid, contains calcium, pectin).

2. Liming and Carbonation:

   • Add lime (CaO), then precipitate with CO₂. CaCO₃ forms.

3. Anionic Polyelectrolyte Dosing:

   • Prepare 0.05-0.1% solution.

   • Dosage: 5-20 ppm (based on syrup volume).

   • Inject at carbonation tank outlet.

4. Flocculation: CaCO₃ and other impurities form flocs.

5. Filtration: Pressure filter (or vacuum drum filter) clarifies syrup.

6. Decolorization & Crystallization: Clear syrup proceeds.

Note: Temperature is 70-85°C; check polymer thermal stability.

9. COSMETICS AND PHARMACEUTICALS

Application: Rheology Control in Gels and Creams (Special Grade Polyelectrolyte)

Note: Standard anionic polyelectrolyte is not used in cosmetics; special biocompatible, low-monomer carbomers or modified polyacrylamide derivatives are used. However, technical principle is similar.

Formulation Steps:

1. Add to Cold Water: Sprinkle 0.1-1% polymer powder slowly into deionized water.

2. Neutralization: Adjust pH to 5.5-7 with triethanolamine or NaOH (activates anionic groups).

3. Swelling & Gel Formation: Let stand 1-4 hours; viscosity increases.

4. Add Other Ingredients: Actives, preservatives, oils emulsified.

5. Homogenization: High-shear mixer to homogenize.

Controlled Drug Release:

• Drug-loaded anionic polyelectrolyte microparticles are prepared.

• Oral or injectable form; pH-sensitive release.

10. FOOD INDUSTRY (Limited Suitability)

Application: Fruit Juice Clarification (Special Food Grade)

Process (Example: Apple juice):

1. Juice Extraction: Turbid, contains pectin and cellulose.

2. Enzymatic Pectin Removal (Pectinase).

3. Anionic Polyelectrolyte (Food-Approved):

   • Very low dosage (0.5-2 ppm) for flocculation.

   • Must use only FDA/EFSA-approved polymer.

4. Filtration: Diatomaceous earth filter or ultrafiltration.

5. Pasteurization.

Warning: Standard industrial anionic polyelectrolyte cannot contact food. Special “food grade” products are expensive and rarely used.

11. CONCRETE AND CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS

Application: Water Retention and Rheology Modifier (Limited Use)

Process:

• Dissolve anionic polyelectrolyte in concrete mixing water at 0.01-0.1% concentration.

• When mixed with cement, polymer retains water and improves workability.

• However, cationic or nonionic polymers (e.g., polyethylene glycol) are more common.

Note: Anionic polymer may crosslink with calcium ions, forming a gel – sometimes desired for sealing materials.

12. METAL RECOVERY (ELECTROLYTIC PRECIPITATION)

Application: Particle Flocculation in Metal-Bearing Wastewater

Process (Example: Copper recovery):

1. Wastewater (pH 2-5, Cu²⁺ 100-1000 ppm) sent to neutralization tank.

2. pH Raise: Add lime or NaOH to pH 6-7; copper hydroxide precipitates (fine particles).

3. Anionic Polyelectrolyte Dosing:

   • 5-20 ppm, 0.05% solution.

   • Slow mixing in flocculation tank.

4. Sedimentation: Large flocs settle rapidly.

5. Filtration: Press filter produces cake; cake sent to metal recovery facility.

13. COAL WASHING (THICKENING)

Application: Flotation Tailings Dewatering

Steps:

1. Coal Flotation: Fine coal (<0.5 mm) separated by froth; tailings (shale, clay) remain in water.

2. Tailings Suspension: Solids 5-15%, very fine clay particles.

3. Anionic Polyelectrolyte Preparation: High molecular weight (>12 million Da).

4. Dosage: 50-300 g/ton dry solids.

5. Thickener:

   • Conical tank 10-30 meters diameter.

   • Flocs settle to bottom; clear water overflows (recovered).

   • Underflow sludge (40-60% solids) goes to filter press or dam.

6. Final Dewatering with Filter Press: Cake solids reach 70-80%.

14. PHOSPHORIC ACID PRODUCTION (GYPSUM SEPARATION)

Application: Flocculation of Calcium Sulfate (Gypsum) in Crude Acid

Process:

1. Reaction of Phosphate Rock with Acid:

   • Phosphoric acid produced; by-product CaSO₄·2H₂O (gypsum) forms.

2. Reaction Mixture: Acid (25-30% P₂O₅) + gypsum crystals + impurities.

3. Anionic Polyelectrolyte Dosing:

   • Use special grade resistant to high temperature (70-80°C) and low pH (1.5-2).

   • Dosage 10-50 ppm.

4. Thickener: Gypsum flocs settle; clear acid overflows.

5. Gypsum Washing & Filtration: Gypsum cake filtered; acid recovered.

SUMMARY TABLE: APPLICATION METHOD BY INDUSTRY

GENERAL APPLICATION RULES (All Sectors)

1. Solution Preparation:

   • Powder: Water temperature 10-30°C, mixing speed 200-400 rpm. Sprinkle powder onto water surface (not water onto powder) to prevent lumps.

   • Emulsion: Add directly to dilution water, mix 5-10 minutes.

2. Dosage Optimization:

   • Use laboratory jar test to determine optimum dosage (largest flocs, clearest water).

   • Overdosing: Flocs disintegrate, water becomes turbid.

   • Underdosing: Small flocs, slow settling.

3. Injection Point:

   • After coagulant, into slow-mix zone.

   • Do not inject before high-shear pumps (e.g., centrifugal pumps).

4. Equipment Selection:

   • Static mixer: Low shear, good mixing.

   • Slow-speed paddle mixer: Preserves flocs.

5. Safety:

   • Use N95 mask for powder handling.

   • Sweep up spills dry; do not wash with water (creates slippery surfaces).