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Cationic Polyelectrolyte (Cationic Polyacrylamide - CPAM)
1. PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
Chemical Name: Cationic Polyelectrolyte (Polyacrylamide)
Chemical Formula: (C₃H₅NO)ₙ
CAS Number: 9003-05-8
Other Names: PAM, CPAM, Poly(2-propenamide), Cationic Polyacrylamide
Appearance: White crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Physical State: Solid
2. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
| Parameter | Value / Description |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 246 – 250 °C |
| pH (solution) | Neutral (≈7) |
| Solubility | Fully soluble in water and polar solvents |
| Molecular Weight | High (typical > 1 million Da) |
| Ionic Character | Cationic (positively charged) |
| Shelf Life | 24 months under proper storage |
3. WORKING PRINCIPLE (MECHANISM)
Cationic polyelectrolyte releases its positive charges in aqueous media and interacts electrostatically with negatively charged particles. The process occurs in four stages:
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Adsorption: The polymer chain attaches to the particle surface.
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Flocculation: Particles aggregate to form micro-flocs.
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Coagulation: Micro-flocs grow into larger macro-flocs.
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Dewatering: Flocs are separated from water using mechanical equipment (filter press, centrifuge, belt press).
4. APPLICATION AREAS
| Industry / Process | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Municipal Wastewater Treatment | Biological sludge dewatering, activated sludge separation |
| Industrial Wastewater Treatment | Precipitation of organic loads, floc formation |
| Drinking Water Treatment | Removal of colloidal contaminants (partial compatibility) |
| Paper Industry | Fiber binding, water retention, strength enhancement |
| Textile Industry | Dye fixing, fabric softening, fiber binding |
| Mining | Post-flotation ore separation and sedimentation |
| Petroleum Industry | Water-oil emulsion breaking, produced water treatment |
| Cosmetics / Personal Care | Hair conditioning, antistatic effect (partial compatibility) |
5. MANDATORY USE APPLICATIONS
Cationic polyelectrolyte is mandatory in the following processes:
| Process | Justification |
|---|---|
| Biological Sludge Dewatering | Mechanical dewatering cannot function without flocculant |
| Activated Sludge Separation | Centrifuge/belt press systems require flocculant |
| Paper Fiber Recovery | Essential for fiber binding and water recovery |
| Textile Dye Fixing | Required for color fastness and fabric quality |
| Petroleum Produced Water Separation | Acts as an emulsion breaker |
6. APPLICATION GUIDELINES
| Parameter | Value / Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Preparation Solution Concentration | 0.05 – 0.1% (diluted) |
| Stock Solution Concentration | 0.5% |
| Typical Dosage Range | 0.5 – 5 ppm (process-dependent) |
| Dosage Optimization | Determined by jar tests and field trials |
| Dosing Point | Injection into static mixer or sludge line |
| Compatible Equipment | Centrifuge, belt press, filter press |
Note: Dosage must be optimized based on sludge characteristics and process conditions (pH, solids content, temperature).
7. ADVANTAGES
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High flocculation efficiency and rapid settling
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Effective performance even at low dosages
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Wide pH compatibility (neutral to slightly acidic)
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Fast and complete solubility in water
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Reduced sludge volume and improved dewatering efficiency
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Contribution to environmental sustainability (less chemical waste)
8. COMPARISON: CATIONIC vs. ANIONIC POLYELECTROLYTE
| Property | Cationic Polyelectrolyte | Anionic Polyelectrolyte |
|---|---|---|
| Charge Type | Positive (+) | Negative (-) |
| Target Particle | Negatively charged (organic, biological) | Positively charged (inorganic, metal hydroxides) |
| Typical Use | Biological sludge, activated sludge | Chemical precipitation, mineral processing |
| pH Compatibility | Neutral – slightly acidic | Neutral – slightly alkaline |
| Typical Dosage | 0.5 – 5 ppm | 1 – 10 ppm |
9. PACKAGING AND STORAGE
Packaging: 25 kg PE (polyethylene) bag
Storage Conditions:
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Cool, dry, well-ventilated area
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Protected from direct sunlight and moisture
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Store at room temperature (max 30°C)
Shelf Life: 24 months when stored unopened under proper conditions
10. SAFETY AND HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
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Avoid inhalation of powder; use a dust mask.
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In case of skin or eye contact, rinse thoroughly with plenty of water.
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Collect spills dry; prevent entry into water.
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Keep out of reach of children.
Warning: This TDS is for informational purposes only. Field trials and jar tests are recommended to determine specific process suitability and dosage.
Cationic Polyelectrolyte (CPAM): Usage, Purpose, and Dosage by Industry
Cationic polyelectrolytes are positively charged, high-molecular-weight polymers used primarily for flocculation, coagulation, dewatering, and charge neutralization of negatively charged particles in aqueous systems.
Below is a detailed breakdown of how they are used in each sector, their function, and typical dosage ranges.
Important: All dosages are starting reference values. Jar tests and field trials are mandatory to determine the optimal dosage for each specific process. Dosage depends on solids content, particle charge, pH, temperature, and equipment type.
1. Municipal (Domestic) Wastewater Treatment
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | – Biological sludge dewatering – Activated sludge separation in clarifiers – Reducing sludge volume for disposal |
| How it is used | Dissolve powder to 0.05–0.1% solution, inject into sludge line before mechanical dewatering equipment (belt press, centrifuge, filter press). |
| Typical Dosage | 0.5 – 5 ppm (mg/L) of sludge liquid phase 2 – 8 kg active polymer per ton of dry solids |
2. Industrial Wastewater Treatment
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | – Flocculation of organic contaminants (dyes, inks, oil emulsions) – Sludge dewatering from food, chemical, metal, textile industries – Colloidal particle removal |
| How it is used | Added to flocculation tank, often with inorganic coagulants (alum, ferric chloride). Can be dosed directly into wastewater stream or sludge line. |
| Typical Dosage | 1 – 10 ppm (mg/L) of wastewater 3 – 12 kg/ton dry solids for sludge |
3. Drinking Water Treatment
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | – Removal of colloidal turbidity (clay, algae, natural organic matter) – Improving filter performance |
| How it is used | Added after coagulant in slow-mix flocculation basin. Must be food-grade certified (NSF/ANSI 60). |
| Typical Dosage | 0.1 – 2 ppm (very low dosage due to strict quality requirements) |
4. Paper Industry
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | – Fiber binding → increases paper strength – Retention of fillers (calcium carbonate, clay) – Water retention in pulp – De-inking in recycled paper processing |
| How it is used | Added as a solution to the pulp (wet end) before sheet formation. |
| Typical Dosage | 0.2 – 2 kg per ton of paper Or 50 – 500 ppm in pulp water |
5. Textile Industry
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | – Dye fixing: Improves reactive dye bonding to fibers → better color fastness – Fabric softening: Enhances hand feel – Wastewater treatment: Color removal from dye baths and rinsing water |
| How it is used | – Dye fixing: added to rinse bath after dyeing – Softening: added during final rinse – Wastewater: dosed into flocculation tank |
| Typical Dosage | Dye fixing: 0.1 – 0.5% of fabric weight (1 – 5 kg/ton fabric) Wastewater: 2 – 10 ppm |
6. Mining Industry
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | – Sedimentation of ore concentrate after flotation – Dewatering of fine tailings for disposal or pond management – Process water recovery |
| How it is used | High molecular weight CPAM is injected into the thickener feed line or tailings pipeline. Often used with anionic polymers depending on ore type. |
| Typical Dosage | 0.5 – 5 ppm (mg/L) Or 5 – 50 grams per ton of dry solids (very low because of ultra-high molecular weight) |
7. Petroleum Industry (Produced Water)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | – Breaking oil-water emulsions (emulsion breaker) – Removing solid particles (clay, sand) from produced water – Preparing injection water for enhanced oil recovery |
| How it is used | Injected into the water line before API separators, flotation units, or hydrocyclones. Often combined with non-ionic or anionic polymers. |
| Typical Dosage | 1 – 10 ppm for normal emulsions 5 – 50 ppm for severe emulsions (heavy oil, tight emulsions) |
8. Cosmetics & Personal Care
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | – Antistatic effect in hair conditioners – Hair softening and detangling – Styling and volumizing in shampoos and gels – Film-forming in lotions |
| How it is used | Dissolved in water and added to the formulation at the final stage (avoid high temperatures that degrade the polymer). |
| Typical Dosage | 0.1 – 1.5% of total formulation weight (product-dependent) |
9. Construction Industry
Cationic polyelectrolyte has several specialized applications in construction:
| Application | Purpose | Typical Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete admixture (superplasticizer) | Reduces water/cement ratio, improves workability and final strength | 0.1 – 0.5% of cement weight (1 – 5 kg/ton cement) |
| Soil stabilization & erosion control | Binds soil particles, increases shear strength, reduces erosion | 0.05 – 0.2% of soil weight (sprayed or mixed) |
| Grouting (chemical injection) | Waterproofing and strengthening of foundations, tunnels, dams | 0.5 – 2% of grout weight |
| Drilling mud stabilization | Controls fluid loss, stabilizes borehole walls in geotechnical drilling | 0.5 – 5 ppm in drilling fluid |
| Construction site wastewater treatment | Flocculates high-turbidity water (concrete washout, slurry water) | 1 – 10 ppm (depending on solids load) |
General Application Guidelines (All Sectors)
| Parameter | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Preparation solution concentration | 0.05 – 0.1% (500 – 1000 ppm) |
| Stock solution concentration | 0.5% (5000 ppm) maximum |
| Dissolution time | 30 – 60 minutes with gentle mechanical stirring |
| Temperature range | 5 – 40 °C (high temperatures degrade the polymer) |
| Optimum pH | 5 – 8 (neutral to slightly acidic) |
| Dosing point | Turbulent zone (static mixer, pump suction, or inline injection) |
Quick Reference Summary Table
| Sector | Main Purpose | Typical Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal WWT | Sludge dewatering | 0.5 – 5 ppm or 2-8 kg/ton dry solids |
| Industrial WWT | Flocculation & dewatering | 1 – 10 ppm |
| Drinking water | Turbidity removal | 0.1 – 2 ppm (food grade) |
| Paper | Fiber binding, strength | 0.2 – 2 kg/ton paper |
| Textile | Dye fixing, softening | 0.1 – 0.5% of fabric weight |
| Mining | Tailings dewatering | 0.5 – 5 ppm or 5-50 g/ton solids |
| Petroleum | Emulsion breaking | 1 – 50 ppm |
| Cosmetics | Antistatic, conditioning | 0.1 – 1.5% of formulation |
| Construction (concrete) | Superplasticizer | 0.1 – 0.5% of cement weight |
| Construction (site water) | Flocculation | 1 – 10 ppm |
Final Notes
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Overdosing can cause re-stabilization of particles, poor flocculation, and equipment clogging.
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Underdosing results in incomplete solids separation and high turbidity.
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Always perform jar tests and, if possible, full-scale trials to optimize dosage and polymer selection.
SUMMARY TABLE (Sector – Purpose – Typical Dosage)
| Sector | Purpose | Typical Dosage Range |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal (Domestic) Wastewater Treatment | Biological sludge dewatering, activated sludge separation, sludge volume reduction | 0.5 – 5 ppm or 2 – 8 kg/ton dry solids |
| Industrial Wastewater Treatment | Flocculation of organic-loaded particles, sludge dewatering, removal of dyes/oils | 1 – 10 ppm or 3 – 12 kg/ton dry solids |
| Drinking Water Treatment | Removal of colloidal contaminants (clay, algae, organic matter), turbidity reduction | 0.1 – 2 ppm (food-grade product required) |
| Paper Industry | Fiber binding, paper strength enhancement, water retention, filler retention, de-inking | 0.2 – 2 kg/ton paper or 50 – 500 ppm (in pulp water) |
| Textile Industry | Dye fixing (color fastness), fabric softening, color removal from wastewater | Dye fixing: 0.1 – 0.5% of fabric weight (1 – 5 kg/ton fabric) Wastewater: 2 – 10 ppm |
| Mining | Ore concentrate sedimentation, tailings dewatering, process water recovery | 0.5 – 5 ppm or 5 – 50 g/ton dry solids |
| Petroleum Industry | Water-oil emulsion breaking, solid particle removal from produced water, injection water preparation | 1 – 10 ppm (normal) 5 – 50 ppm (severe emulsions) |
| Cosmetics & Personal Care | Antistatic effect, hair conditioning, styling, film-forming | 0.1 – 1.5% of formulation weight |
| Construction (General) | – Superplasticizer in concrete (water reducer) – Soil stabilization & erosion control – Grouting & waterproofing – Drilling mud stabilization |
Concrete admixture: 0.1 – 0.5% of cement weight (1 – 5 kg/ton cement) Soil stabilization: 0.05 – 0.2% of soil weight Grouting: 0.5 – 2% of grout weight Drilling mud: 0.5 – 5 ppm |
| Construction – Site Wastewater Treatment | Flocculation and treatment of high-turbidity wastewater (concrete mixing water, washing water) | 1 – 10 ppm (depending on wastewater characteristics) |
Notes:
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ppm = mg/L (for liquid phase)
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kg/ton dry solids = dosage based on sludge or solid matter
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Percentage dosage (%) = weight of product relative to weight of material being treated
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All dosages are initial reference values. Jar tests or field trials are required to determine the exact dosage.
