Polyacrylamide (PAM) is widely known as the “universal industrial auxiliary” because it is used in hundreds of industrial processes.
However, polyacrylamide is not a single product. It mainly includes four major types:

• Anionic Polyacrylamide (APAM)

• Cationic Polyacrylamide (CPAM)

• Nonionic Polyacrylamide (NPAM)

• Amphoteric Polyacrylamide

Each type has different properties and applications. Choosing the right type according to the water quality and treatment requirements can significantly improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.

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1. Anionic Polyacrylamide (APAM)

Anionic Polyacrylamide (APAM) is one of the most widely used water treatment flocculants. It works mainly through adsorption and bridging of suspended particles, forming large flocs that accelerate sedimentation.

Key Features

• Strong flocculation ability

• Excellent sedimentation performance

• Improves filtration efficiency

• Effective in neutral or alkaline wastewater

Typical Applications

Water Treatment Industry

• Industrial wastewater treatment

• Municipal sewage treatment

• Drinking water clarification

• High turbidity water purification

Mining and Metallurgy

• Coal washing

• Mineral processing

• Metallurgical wastewater treatment

Oil and Gas Industry

• Oil recovery (EOR)

• Drilling mud additives

• Friction reduction

• Preventing water channeling

Textile Industry

• Textile sizing agent

• Improves fabric smoothness

• Reduces yarn breakage

Paper Industry

• Improves filler and pigment retention

• Enhances paper strength (dry & wet strength)

• Improves paper porosity and print quality

• Used in food-grade packaging paper

Other Industries

• Sugar clarification (cane sugar & beet sugar)

• Fermentation broth clarification

• Feed protein recovery

• Soil conditioning

• Construction grouting materials

• Electroplating wastewater treatment

• Printing and dyeing wastewater treatment

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2. Cationic Polyacrylamide (CPAM)

Cationic Polyacrylamide (CPAM) carries positive charges in both acidic and alkaline environments. It works mainly through charge neutralization, making it especially effective for negatively charged organic sludge.

Compared with anionic or nonionic polyacrylamide, CPAM often shows much higher efficiency in certain wastewater treatments.

Key Applications

Industrial Wastewater Treatment

• Alcohol production wastewater

• MSG factory wastewater

• Sugar factory wastewater

• Meat processing wastewater

• Beverage industry wastewater

• Textile dyeing wastewater

These types of wastewater usually carry negative charges, making CPAM highly effective for flocculation and clarification.

Sludge Dewatering

Cationic PAM is widely used with equipment such as:

• Belt filter press

• Plate and frame filter press

• Centrifugal sludge dewatering machine

Advantages

• Fast floc formation

• Large and dense flocs

• Strong resistance to shear

• Easy separation from filter cloth

• Lower moisture content in sludge cake

• Reduced chemical consumption

It is widely used in:

• Municipal wastewater treatment plants

• Breweries

• Food factories

• Leather factories

• Paper mills

• Petrochemical plants

• Oilfields

• Metallurgical industries

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3. Nonionic Polyacrylamide (NPAM)

Nonionic Polyacrylamide (NPAM) is particularly suitable for acidic wastewater conditions and systems with complex water chemistry.

Main Functions

• Flocculation

• Solid-liquid separation

• Water clarification

• Filtration improvement

Major Applications

Water Treatment

• Industrial wastewater treatment

• Municipal sewage treatment

• Works well with inorganic coagulants such as:

• Polyferric sulfate (PFS)

• Polyaluminum chloride (PAC)

Oil Industry

• Drilling mud treatment

• Oil recovery

• Friction reduction

Textile Industry

• Textile sizing agent

• Improves fabric quality

• Reduces yarn breakage

Paper Industry

• Improves filler retention

• Enhances paper strength

• Improves printability

Other Industries

• Sugar juice clarification

• Enzyme fermentation broth clarification

• Feed protein recovery

• Construction grouting

• Soil improvement

• Electroplating wastewater treatment

• Printing and dyeing wastewater treatment

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4. Amphoteric Polyacrylamide

Amphoteric Polyacrylamide contains both cationic and anionic functional groups within the same molecule. This gives it excellent adaptability in complex water systems.

Key Advantages

• Works within a wide pH range

• Higher filtration efficiency

• Lower sludge moisture content

• Suitable for complex wastewater

Applications

Industrial Wastewater Treatment

• Oily wastewater

• Organic wastewater

• Inorganic wastewater

• Complex mixed wastewater

Oilfield Applications

• Profile control

• Water shutoff agents

• Polymer gel formation with crosslinking agents

Mining and Metallurgy

• Acidic ore leaching

• Metal recovery from acidic catalysts

Sludge Dewatering

• Municipal sludge treatment

• Industrial sludge dewatering

Papermaking Industry

• Used as paper processing additives

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How to Choose the Right Polyacrylamide?

Different types of polyacrylamide flocculants have different performance characteristics. Selecting the right PAM depends on:

• Wastewater pH value

• Suspended solids concentration

• Charge properties of particles

• Sludge type

• Treatment process

Choosing the correct product can help:

• Improve treatment efficiency

• Reduce chemical consumption

• Lower operating costs

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✔ Professional Polyacrylamide Manufacturer

As a professional Polyacrylamide (PAM) supplier, we provide:

• Anionic Polyacrylamide (APAM)

• Cationic Polyacrylamide (CPAM)

• Nonionic Polyacrylamide (NPAM)

• Amphoteric Polyacrylamide

Our products are widely used in water treatment, mining, oilfield, papermaking, textile, and municipal wastewater treatment.

Contact us today to get the best PAM solution for your industry.