ALCLAR HP-21 is an anionic polyacrylamide-based flocculant widely used across water treatment, mineral processing, industrial effluent clarification, and solid–liquid separation operations. As a high-performance powder or granular flocculant, ALCLAR HP-21 is designed to enhance particle aggregation, increase settling rates, and improve the removal of suspended solids under a wide range of pH and solids-loading conditions. Its optimized anionic charge density and molecular weight make it effective in systems containing fine clays, silts, organic matter, metal hydroxides, and mineral tailings. Because of its versatility, ALCLAR HP-21 is commonly selected for municipal water treatment plants, mining operations, industrial wastewater units, and various large-scale clarification processes.

1. Municipal Water Treatment Applications

One of the most common application fields for ALCLAR HP-21 is drinking water production. In surface water treatment, raw water often contains natural organic matter, turbidity-causing particles, colloidal clays, algae, and various micro-sized impurities. ALCLAR HP-21 is used as a flocculant following the primary coagulant—typically aluminum sulfate, ferric chloride, polyaluminum chloride (PAC), or blended inorganic coagulants. After coagulation destabilizes the colloids, ALCLAR HP-21 helps bind the microflocs into larger, denser aggregates that can settle quickly in clarifiers.

This results in reduced turbidity, improved sludge compaction, and enhanced filtration efficiency. In gravity sand filtration and membrane ultrafiltration systems, the use of ALCLAR HP-21 leads to fewer filter backwash cycles, higher water throughput, and more stable operations. Because ALCLAR HP-21 tolerates a wide pH range and moderate temperature variations, it works effectively in seasonal water quality fluctuations.

2. Industrial Wastewater Treatment

In industrial wastewater applications, ALCLAR HP-21 is used to treat effluents from chemical plants, textile factories, paper mills, food processing facilities, and petroleum-related industries. These wastewaters typically contain suspended solids, color bodies, organic residues, and fine particulates resistant to self-settling. ALCLAR HP-21 is dosed to enhance flocculation under acidic, neutral, or alkaline conditions depending on the process.

In chemical manufacturing effluents, ALCLAR HP-21 aids in the removal of polymeric impurities, salts, pigments, and residual reactants. In textile wastewater treatment, the polymer improves color removal following oxidation or chemical coagulation stages. For paper mill effluents, the product helps capture fibrous fines, fillers, and organic colloids, thus promoting recovery and reducing sludge volumes. The consistent performance of ALCLAR HP-21 in systems with complex organic loads makes it valuable in multifunction industrial treatment plants.

3. Mining and Mineral Processing

ALCLAR HP-21 is widely used in mining, particularly in clarification and thickening operations associated with tailings, concentrate dewatering, and fines recovery. Mining slurries often contain ultrafine particles such as silica, kaolin, feldspar, iron ore slimes, coal fines, or metal hydroxides that resist settling due to their colloidal nature.

The anionic structure of ALCLAR HP-21 makes it suitable for:

• Tailings thickening: improving underflow density and increasing water recovery.

• Clarification of process water: producing clear overflow that can be recycled back into grinding, flotation, or leaching circuits.

• Enhancing centrifuge and belt-filter performance: increasing floc size and improving water release.

• Flotation effluent treatment: removing residual reagents and suspended solids.

In bauxite/alumina processing (Bayer process), ALCLAR HP-21 enhances red-mud settling, improving liquor clarity and optimizing digestion efficiency. In gold mining, it improves clarification in cyanide circuits where fine clays cause turbidity. Because mineral processing often requires polymers with high molecular weight and strong bridging capability, ALCLAR HP-21 is frequently selected for its superior aggregation of fine solids.

4. Sludge Thickening and Dewatering

ALCLAR HP-21 plays an important role in sludge management operations, including gravity thickeners, flotation thickeners, belt filter presses, screw presses, and centrifuges. Its ability to promote strong floc formation helps water drain more efficiently from sludge, resulting in:

• Higher dry solid content of cake

• Reduced polymer consumption

• Lower hauling and disposal costs

• More efficient operation of mechanical dewatering equipment

Municipal sludge (primary, secondary, or mixed) benefits from the improved floc structure created by ALCLAR HP-21, which enhances filtration speed and reduces the load on machinery. In industrial sludges containing metal hydroxides, pigments, or process fines, the polymer provides stable dewatering performance under variable conditions.

5. Surface Water and River Sediment Treatment

ALCLAR HP-21 is sometimes used in environmental remediation projects where fine sediments must be settled or dewatered. Examples include river dredging operations, lake restoration, stormwater clarification, and sediment ponds for construction sites. The polymer quickly binds dispersed silt and clay particles, resulting in clear supernatant and compact sediment that can be handled more easily.

6. Oil and Gas Water Treatment

Although anionic polyacrylamides are not typically used for oil–water separation in produced water streams, ALCLAR HP-21 is suitable for treating high-solids water streams associated with drilling, fracturing, and sand management. It is effective in the removal of suspended clays, drilling cuttings, and formation fines in disposal pits and sedimentation tanks.

7. Advantages of ALCLAR HP-21 Across Applications

• High molecular weight for excellent particle bridging

• Fast floc formation and improved settling rates

• Works in wide pH and temperature ranges

• Allows reduced coagulant dosing

• Enhances water clarity and reduces turbidity

• Produces compact, easily dewatered sludge

• Improves process water recycling in mining

• Reduces filtration energy and operating costs

Conclusion

ALCLAR HP-21 is a versatile anionic polyacrylamide designed for efficient solid–liquid separation in municipal, industrial, and mining applications. Its strong flocculation performance, broad compatibility with different coagulants, and ability to handle fine particulates make it a widely used flocculant across water treatment and mineral processing industries.