Can cationic polyacrylamide be used in oilfield wastewater treatment?

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) solid particle is one of the most commonly used organic polymer flocculants in oilfield wastewater treatment, but it poses some problems, such as a slow dissolution rate and an easy formation into a “fish-eye” in the process of diluting into aqueous solution.

What factors affect the flocculation effect of cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM)?

Cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) is a commonly used flocculant for water treatment. Factors that affect the flocculation effect and can be controlled manually include the type and dosage of CPAM, wastewater pH, stirring time and settling time, and their reasonable setting is critical to the flocculation effect of CPAM.

What is organic polymer flocculant cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM)?

The organic polymer flocculant cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) has the characteristics of a low additive amount, good turbidity removal and water purification effect, and high COD removal efficiency, and it has become the most commonly used polymer flocculant in the oilfield wastewater treatment process [11, 12, 13, 14, 15].

Why is anionic polyacrylamide used in wastewater treatment?

Due to its negatively charged characteristics, anionic polyacrylamide can effectively combine with positively charged particles in water, forming larger flocs and promoting sedimentation of particles. Anionic polyacrylamide is suitable for treating positively charged particles such as suspended solids and colloids in wastewater.

How does chemical flocculation work in oilfield wastewater treatment?

The chemical flocculation method can make the oil droplets and suspended matter in wastewater quickly settle and flocculate, which is one of the main treatment methods for oilfield wastewater [9, 10].

What is cationic Pam?

Cationic PAM can rapidly adsorb negatively charged particles in water, forming large flocs and effectively improving flocculation efficiency. Cationic PAM is especially suitable for treating negatively charged organic substances such as high-concentration colloids and suspended solids in wastewater treatment.