What is high molecular weight polyacrylamide (PAM)?

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative High molecular weight (106–3 × 107 Da) polyacrylamide (PAM) is commonly used as a flocculant in water and wastewater treatment, as a soil conditioner, and as a viscosity modifier and friction reducer in both enhanced oil recovery and high volume hydraulic fracturing.

What are the applications of polyacrylamide (PAM)?

As a result, PAM is widely used in municipal wastewater treatment, oil extraction, pulp and paper production, and other fields. Polyacrylamide is mainly used in the flocculation, sedimentation, and dewatering processes in municipal wastewater treatment.

What is polyacrylamide used for?

Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a high molecular weight polymer that comes in three types: cationic, anionic, and non-ionic. Its molecular chain contains a large number of covalent bonds, giving it excellent adsorption properties. As a result, PAM is widely used in municipal wastewater treatment, oil extraction, pulp and paper production, and other fields.

Are cationic and anionic polyacrylamides effective in flocculation of pulp and paper mill wastewater?

The flocculation performances of nine cationic and anionic polyacrylamides with different molecular weights and different charge densities in the treatment of pulp and paper mill wastewater have been studied.

Why is polyacrylamide important in wastewater treatment?

The correct use of polyacrylamide will contribute to improving municipal wastewater treatment results, protecting water resources, and achieving sustainable development. In the wastewater treatment industry, polyacrylamide has become an indispensable agent.

Can polyacrylamide be used to treat pulp and paper mill wastewater?

SVI values of less than 70 ml g −1 are found for all polyacrylamide at their respective optimum dosage. Based on the cost evaluation, the use of the polyacrylamides is economically feasible to treat the pulp and paper mill wastewaters.