Cationic polyacrylamide with 15% charge density is a moderately cationic, high-molecular-weight water-soluble polymer widely used as a flocculant, coagulant aid, retention agent, dehydrating chemical, and fines-binding polymer in multiple water treatment and industrial separation processes. The 15% cationic level gives it a balanced electrochemical performance: strong enough to neutralize negatively charged colloids but not so aggressive that it causes over-flocculation or stability problems. This balance makes it suitable for treating medium-strength wastewater streams, mixed-organic colloidal systems, and applications where controlled floc size, rapid settling, and good filterability are required.
1. Wastewater Treatment
One of the most important applications of 15% cationic polyacrylamide is in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment. Wastewater typically contains negatively charged suspended solids, organic matter, and biological sludge components. The polymer binds these particles through charge neutralization and bridging, forming large, dense flocs.
Key wastewater uses include:
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Primary clarification – Enhances suspended solids removal in primary settling tanks.
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Secondary sludge thickening – Promotes faster compaction and gravity thickening of biological sludge.
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Sludge dewatering – Used with belt presses, centrifuges, and filter presses to reduce moisture content and improve cake solids.
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DAF (Dissolved Air Flotation) – Improves floatation of fats, oils, grease (FOG), and biological flocs.
A 15% charge density is ideal for sludges with moderate organic content, making it widely used in food processing wastewater, textile effluent, brewery waste, and pharmaceutical wastewater.
2. Papermaking and Pulp Processing
In the papermaking sector, 15% CPAM acts as an effective retention and drainage aid. It helps bind fines, fillers, and fibers to the paper sheet during formation, improving paper quality and machine runnability. Applications include:
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Wet-end retention systems
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Fiber/filler retention enhancement
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Drainage improvement
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White water clarification
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Sludge dewatering of paper mill effluent
The moderate charge level is particularly well suited for mills using recycled fibers containing inks, adhesives, and anionic trash, which require balanced charge control.
3. Oil & Gas Industry
Cationic polyacrylamide with 15% charge is used in oilfield wastewater treatment, enhanced oil recovery clarification, and dewatering of drilling mud. It is helpful for:
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Treating produced water, especially where colloidal solids and polymer residues exist.
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Dewatering of drilling muds and separation of drilled solids.
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Treating sludge from oil-water separators and flotation units.
Its charge strength allows stable floc formation even in high-salinity environments typical of oilfield operations.
4. Mining and Mineral Processing
The polymer is applied in:
A 15% charge CPAM is suitable for mines with mixed clay/organic/metal oxide particles where both charge neutralization and polymer bridging are needed.
5. Chemical and Fermentation Industries
Used for:
Industries include pharmaceuticals, fermentation plants, food ingredient manufacturers, and sugar refineries.
6. Leather, Dyeing, and Textile Processing
CPAM aids in:
Summary
Cationic polyacrylamide with 15% charge is versatile and widely applied in wastewater treatment, sludge dewatering, papermaking, oil & gas, mineral processing, and industrial effluent clarification. Its moderate charge density makes it especially useful for systems requiring controlled floc formation, effective charge neutralization, and stable sludge handling performance.
