Flopam AN956 is a high-molecular-weight anionic polyacrylamide supplied by SNF Floerger, one of the leading global producers of water-soluble polymers. As a synthetic, water-soluble polymer with a negative (anionic) charge, Flopam AN956 plays a critical role in a wide range of solid-liquid separation processes, especially in industries dealing with high-volume suspensions, sludges, and tailings.

The main application of Flopam AN956 is in water treatment and mining, particularly in sludge dewatering, clarification, thickening, and tailings management. Due to its high molecular weight and strong flocculation capability, it is effective at aggregating fine particles into large, settleable flocs that can be more easily separated from liquid. This function is essential in municipal wastewater treatment, industrial effluent management, mineral processing, and oil sands operations.

Below is a comprehensive breakdown of Flopam AN956’s applications across key industries and operations, emphasizing its role in improving process efficiency, water quality, and environmental compliance.

1. Municipal and Industrial Wastewater Treatment

A. Sludge Dewatering

Sludge generated in municipal sewage treatment plants or industrial wastewater treatment facilities is typically composed of suspended solids, organic material, and water. Dewatering this sludge reduces its volume and disposal cost.

Flopam AN956 is widely used as a flocculant in dewatering applications such as:

• Centrifuges

• Belt filter presses

• Chamber filter presses

• Screw presses

Due to its high molecular weight and strong bridging ability, Flopam AN956 binds together fine sludge particles into larger, denser flocs. These flocs retain less water and are more easily separated, resulting in:

• Higher cake dryness

• Lower polymer consumption

• Reduced hauling and disposal costs

• Enhanced throughput of dewatering equipment

It is particularly useful in treating primary sludge, biological sludge, and mixed sludge with a moderate-to-high content of inorganic solids.

B. Primary and Secondary Clarification

In water treatment facilities, Flopam AN956 is used to clarify water by settling suspended solids in primary and secondary clarifiers.

• Primary clarification: Removes settleable solids before biological treatment.

• Secondary clarification: Settles microbial flocs after the biological stage.

Anionic polyacrylamide aids in floc formation by neutralizing surface charges and bridging fine particles, making them settle faster. Flopam AN956 is especially effective in low-turbidity or low-organic load influent where strong anionic flocculants are preferred.

C. Effluent Polishing

After secondary treatment, Flopam AN956 may be added to polish the final effluent by removing fine residual solids or phosphates, often in conjunction with metal coagulants like aluminum sulfate or ferric chloride. The result is:

• Enhanced turbidity reduction

• Improved compliance with discharge regulations

• Protection of receiving water bodies

2. Mining and Mineral Processing

One of the largest markets for Flopam AN956 is the mining industry, where efficient water management and tailings handling are critical for both productivity and environmental stewardship.

A. Tailings Thickening

Mining processes such as copper, gold, coal, and bauxite extraction generate vast volumes of tailings. These are slurries of water and fine mineral particles, which must be thickened before disposal or water recycling.

In high-rate thickeners, Flopam AN956 is dosed into the slurry to:

• Promote the aggregation of fine particles

• Accelerate sedimentation

• Increase underflow solids concentration

• Produce clear overflow water suitable for reuse

Its high molecular weight and strong anionic charge allow effective flocculation of negatively charged mineral surfaces like silica, alumina, and clay.

B. Tailings Dewatering

In addition to thickening, Flopam AN956 can assist in the mechanical dewatering of thickened tailings. In combination with filtration systems (such as vacuum filters, pressure filters, and geotextile dewatering bags), it aids in:

• Reducing tailings moisture

• Enhancing stacking and compaction

• Enabling dry stacking practices in environmentally sensitive areas

C. Process Water Clarification

Recycling water is essential in arid mining regions. Flopam AN956 is used in process water clarification systems to remove suspended solids, turbidity, and fine clays. Clear water can be recycled back into flotation circuits or ore grinding, improving water use efficiency and reducing freshwater withdrawal.

D. Flotation Aid and Froth Management

Although Flopam AN956 is not a primary flotation reagent, it may be applied in:

• Froth control: Stabilizing froth thickness and behavior.

• Reagent clarification: Clearing overflow liquor in reagent preparation tanks.

3. Construction and Tunneling (TBM Slurry Treatment)

In tunnel boring machine (TBM) operations and large-scale construction dewatering, flocculation of spoil slurry is necessary to recover water and separate fine soil particles. Flopam AN956 is used to:

• Clarify slurry water for reuse

• Aggregate fines and silt into rapidly settling flocs

• Improve decanter centrifuge efficiency

• Reduce solids load to filter presses

This helps reduce environmental impact, saves water, and optimizes spoil management.

4. Oil Sands and Petroleum Industry

In oil sands tailings treatment, Flopam AN956 helps recover water from fine tailings. It enables:

• Faster settling of mature fine tailings (MFT)

• Reduced need for tailings ponds

• Improved clarity in recycled water for bitumen extraction

It may also be used in produced water treatment in upstream oil production to assist in solids separation and water recycling.

5. Pulp and Paper Industry

In the pulp and paper sector, Flopam AN956 is used for:

• Effluent treatment: Clarifying process water and removing residual lignin, fiber, and fillers.

• Sludge dewatering: Reducing moisture in biological or mixed sludge.

• White water clarification: Enhancing internal water recycling.

6. Textile, Food, and Chemical Industries

In industries that generate colloidal wastewater with high concentrations of starch, dye, fat, or protein residues, Flopam AN956 helps in:

• Pretreatment clarification

• Dissolved air flotation (DAF) enhancement

• Organic matter removal

• Final polishing before discharge or reuse

Its strong flocculation properties allow for improved system efficiency and reduced chemical demand in complex wastewater matrices.

Key Features and Benefits of Flopam AN956

• High Molecular Weight: Excellent bridging capacity, leading to robust and shear-resistant flocs.

• Strong Anionic Charge: Effective for particles with positive or neutral surface charges and metallic coagulant residues.

• Wide pH Compatibility: Works across pH 4–10, suitable for many types of wastewater.

• Low Dosage Requirement: Cost-effective due to high activity.

• Environmentally Safe: Very low residual monomer content and easily handled in industrial settings.

Conclusion

The main application of Flopam AN956, an anionic polyacrylamide, lies in its role as a flocculant for solid-liquid separation in water treatment and mining. From dewatering sludge and thickening tailings to clarifying industrial effluents and recovering process water, it enhances operational efficiency and supports environmental compliance. Its high molecular weight and strong anionic nature make it ideal for capturing fine particles, reducing chemical demand, and improving water clarity in diverse systems.

Whether in municipal wastewater treatment plants, gold mines, coal preparation facilities, or oil sands operations, Flopam AN956 is a critical tool for managing water quality, optimizing resource use, and reducing the environmental footprint of industrial processes.