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Description: Polymer/Flocculants 101
Polymer/Flocculants 101
The aggregation of particles into larger and more easily removable forms by employing coagulants or flocculants is necessary for efficient separation by clarification, sedimentation, filtration, or dewatering processes. The terms “coagulant” and “flocculant” are often used interchangeably. However, the discussion in this fact sheet will be focused on high molecular weight, cationic polymeric flocculants used for thickening and dewatering solids separation processes where they operate through bridging or similar mechanisms
Author(s)
Water Environment Federation
Contributing authorsYong KimRob IslanderTrudy Johnston
SourceFact Sheet of the Water Science and Engineering Center
Project IDWSEC-2019-FS-007
CommitteeRBC
Sub CommitteeSolids Separation Subcommittee
Document typeFact Sheet
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Print publication date Sep 2019
Volume / Issue
Content sourceWater Science and Engineering Center
First / last page(s)1 - 3
Copyright2019
Word count1,421
Subject keywordsBiosolids
Chapter illustrations ()
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Description: Polymer/Flocculants 101
Polymer Type
Polymer/Flocculants 101
Polymer comes in three different forms – dry, solution (Mannich), and emulsion polymer. Most polymers used in wastewater industries are acrylamide-based and often called PAAM (polyacrylamide).
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count308
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Description: Polymer/Flocculants 101
Handling and Storage
Polymer/Flocculants 101
Dry polymer is very hygroscopic (moisture-attracting), so care should be taken to store it in a cool and dry area (neither above 40 oC nor humid). Dry polymer has a shelf life of over 1 year if properly stored. Mannich polymer must be used within 4 weeks and should be kept away from both freezing and overly warm environments. Since emulsion polymer tends to be stratified (separation of hydrocarbon...
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count191
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Description: Polymer/Flocculants 101
Polymer Make-Down (Solution Preparation)
Polymer/Flocculants 101
Emulsion and dry polymers as delivered to a site must be activated in a dilute solution that can then be added to a solids stream for conditioning. Dilution water is mixed with polymer to produce this dilute solution in a “make down” process. Emulsion and dry polymers are typically diluted to 0.2% to 1% active solutions. Mannich polymers, which are delivered as activated compounds,...
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count281
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Description: Polymer/Flocculants 101
Polymer Make-Down System (Equipment)
Polymer/Flocculants 101
Although there are numerous polymer make-down systems available in the market, they can be classified into two types - mechanical and non-mechanical systems depending on how mixing energy is delivered for effective polymer activation.
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count193
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Description: Polymer/Flocculants 101
Polymer-Sludge Mixing
Polymer/Flocculants 101
Injecting and dispersing a polymer solution into sludge is critical for achieving efficient thickening and dewatering. Polymer solutions can be very viscous and difficult to inject and disperse rapidly into sludge, especially if the sludge is thick. There are many commercially available polymer-sludge mixers with either static or mechanical mixing, so careful evaluation is required. Parameters to...
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count120
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Description: Polymer/Flocculants 101
Dilution Water
Polymer/Flocculants 101
The quality of dilution water has a tremendous impact on the efficiency of a polymer solution. Hardness which represents a major portion of the ionic strength of dilution water plays an important role in polymer activation. If hardness exceeds a certain level (such as 400 mg/L), it is strongly recommended to add a softening device to minimize the negative effect of hardness. Considering the...
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count155
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Description: Polymer/Flocculants 101
Authors
Polymer/Flocculants 101
Yong Kim, Ph.D.
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count8
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Description: Polymer/Flocculants 101
Reviewers
Polymer/Flocculants 101
Ed Fritz, P.E.
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count20
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Description: Polymer/Flocculants 101
Further Reading
Polymer/Flocculants 101


PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count44
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Description: Polymer/Flocculants 101
Additional Resources
Polymer/Flocculants 101


PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count17
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Description: Polymer/Flocculants 101
Contact
Polymer/Flocculants 101
Water Environment Federation
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count12
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Polymer/Flocculants 101
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