Oil, Gas & Mining / Solution Family

Flocculants & Coagulants

High-molecular-weight polyacrylamide flocculant, PolyDADMAC cationic coagulant, and aluminum sulfate for clarifying mine process water, tailings, and produced water.

Overview

Flocculants and coagulants are water-treatment chemicals that removensuspended solids from process water, mineral tailings, and produced water so thenclarified stream can be reinjected, discharged, or recycled. Coagulantsnneutralize the surface charge that holds fine particles apart; flocculants then bridgenthe destabilized particles into settleable flocs. The two are dosed in sequence,ncoagulant first. Jar-test the program before scaling it to a thickener or clarifier.

nn

High-molecular-weight polyacrylamide (PAM) is the workhorse flocculant, supplied innanionic, cationic, and nonionic charge variants matched to the solids being treated.nCharge density is the lever: a cationic grade suits organic-rich produced water, annanionic grade suits mineral tailings. The trade-off is real. Overdosing PAMnrestabilizes the suspension and blinds filters, so the lowest effective dose usuallynoutperforms a heavy one.

nn

PolyDADMAC is a lower-molecular-weight cationic coagulant used where chargenneutralization is needed without the bulk of an inorganic salt. Aluminum sulfate (alum)nremains the low-cost inorganic coagulant for high-turbidity feeds, though it addsnsulfate and shifts pH downward. Match the program to your solids loading and dischargenspecification rather than to unit price alone.

n
Where it's used
  • Thickener and clarifier operation in mineral processing (underflow density, overflow clarity)
  • Tailings dewatering and paste thickening for disposal or reuse
  • Produced-water and oilfield water clarification before reinjection or disposal
  • Coagulation and flocculation of high-turbidity mine and process water
  • Sludge conditioning ahead of belt, plate, or centrifuge dewatering
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a coagulant and a flocculant?
A coagulant neutralizes the surface charge that keeps fine suspended particles apart, letting them collide. A flocculant u2014 typically high-molecular-weight polyacrylamide u2014 then bridges the destabilized particles into larger flocs that settle or filter. In mining and oilfield water circuits the two are usually dosed in sequence, coagulant first, then flocculant.
Which polyacrylamide charge type should I use?
Match charge to the solids. Cationic polyacrylamide suits organic-rich or negatively charged solids such as those in produced water and biosolids; anionic polyacrylamide suits mineral tailings and inorganic suspensions; nonionic grades sit between them. A jar test on your actual stream is the reliable way to confirm charge and dose before scaling to a thickener.
Does RawSource supply flocculants and coagulants in bulk?
Yes. RawSource sources polyacrylamide (PAM) flocculant in anionic, cationic, and nonionic grades, PolyDADMAC cationic coagulant, and aluminum sulfate, in drum, tote, supersack, and bulk quantities. Every shipment ships with SDS, TDS, and COA documentation. Submit your solids loading, target clarity, and volume for a bulk RFQ.
Can aluminum sulfate and polyacrylamide be used together?
Yes, and they are often used together. Aluminum sulfate (alum) acts as the inorganic coagulant that destabilizes the suspension, and polyacrylamide acts as the bridging flocculant added afterward. Sequence and timing matter: add and mix the coagulant first, then add the flocculant. Confirm dose and pH window with a jar test for your water.
Disclaimer. Information on this page is provided for general reference and compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot you purchase governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, and confirm regulatory status, classification, and suitability for your application and jurisdiction.
Request Quote Product Page