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.

Why is polyacrylamide used in water treatment?

With the increasing global water scarcity and escalating environmental pollution, efficient water treatment has become paramount. Polyacrylamide, as a versatile polymer compound, has demonstrated significant achievements in the field of water treatment. PAM is widely used as a coagulant and flocculant in wastewater treatment.

What is Pam used for in water treatment?

PAM is also widely used as a flocculant in drinking water treatment (at concentrations <1 mg/L). 37 PAM can create bridges between destabilized particles, forming micron-size aggregates with good settling properties. 38 Cationic, nonionic, and anionic PAM have all been studied for flocculation.

What is Pam water purification & how does it work?

In the process of purifying drinking water, PAM serves as a purification agent, aiding in the removal of suspended solids, organic matter, and color from water. It enhances filtration efficiency, ensuring safe and hygienic drinking water.

How is partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide wastewater treated?

Yongrui, P., et al. Treatment of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide wastewater by combined Fenton oxidation and anaerobic biological processes. Chem. Eng. J. 273, 1–6 (2015).

Does biological filtration improve polyacrylamide biodegradation?

Freedman, D. E. et al. Biologically active filtration for fracturing flowback and produced water treatment. J. Water Process Eng. 18, 29–40 (2017). Dai, X. et al. Waste-activated sludge fermentation for polyacrylamide biodegradation improved by anaerobic hydrolysis and key microorganisms involved in biological polyacrylamide removal.