Application of PolyDADMAC FLOQUAT FL 45 and FLOQUAT FL 50

PolyDADMAC (polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride) is a high-charge-density cationic polymer extensively used as a primary coagulant or coagulant aid in water treatment and industrial separation processes. Among the high-concentration PolyDADMAC products offered by SNF Group, FLOQUAT FL 45 and FLOQUAT FL 50 represent advanced, high-solids formulations designed for demanding applications requiring strong charge neutralization, reduced dosage, and high operational efficiency.

1. Product Characteristics and Positioning

FLOQUAT FL 45 is a high-active PolyDADMAC solution, typically around 45% solids, delivering very high cationic charge density with manageable viscosity. It is engineered for facilities seeking to reduce chemical consumption while maintaining excellent dispersion and mixing characteristics.

FLOQUAT FL 50 is an ultra-high concentration PolyDADMAC, generally close to 50% solids, providing the maximum charge per unit volume. This grade is intended for large-scale, high-load treatment systems where storage space, logistics efficiency, and performance consistency are critical.

Both products act primarily through charge neutralization, destabilizing negatively charged colloids, suspended solids, organic matter, and emulsified contaminants, enabling rapid coagulation and efficient downstream flocculation.

2. Municipal Drinking Water Treatment

In municipal drinking water treatment plants, FLOQUAT FL 45 and FLOQUAT FL 50 are applied as primary organic coagulants or as coagulant aids to reduce the dosage of traditional inorganic salts such as alum or ferric chloride.

Due to their extremely high charge density:

• FLOQUAT FL 45 is widely used in high-turbidity raw water, seasonal algae blooms, and low-temperature conditions where inorganic coagulants perform poorly.

• FLOQUAT FL 50 is favored in large metropolitan water treatment facilities, where consistent raw water quality and high flow rates benefit from minimized chemical feed volumes.

These grades help achieve rapid turbidity reduction, improved filter run times, and lower residual aluminum or iron, contributing to safer and more stable drinking water quality.

3. Wastewater Primary Clarification

FLOQUAT FL 45 and FLOQUAT FL 50 play a critical role in primary wastewater treatment by removing suspended solids, colloidal organics, and emulsified oils prior to biological treatment.

In municipal wastewater plants, they enhance primary clarifier performance, reducing solids loading on secondary treatment and improving overall plant efficiency. In industrial wastewater, including petrochemical, refinery, textile, and food processing effluents, these PolyDADMAC grades effectively break emulsions and reduce COD, BOD, and turbidity.

FLOQUAT FL 50 is particularly effective in high-strength wastewater streams, allowing operators to achieve target effluent quality with lower dosing rates compared to lower-solids PolyDADMAC products.

4. Sludge Conditioning and Dewatering Enhancement

Another major application of FLOQUAT FL 45 and FLOQUAT FL 50 is in sludge conditioning prior to mechanical dewatering. These products are typically used as pre-coagulants, ahead of cationic polyacrylamide flocculants.

By strongly neutralizing the negative surface charge of sludge particles, FLOQUAT FL 45 and FLOQUAT FL 50:

• Improve floc strength and size

• Reduce flocculant consumption

• Increase cake solids content

• Improve filtrate clarity

FLOQUAT FL 50 is particularly suitable for high-solids sludge, digested sludge, and industrial sludge, while FLOQUAT FL 45 provides excellent performance in systems requiring a balance between concentration and pumpability.

5. Industrial Process Water and Effluent Treatment

High-concentration PolyDADMAC products such as FLOQUAT FL 45 and FLOQUAT FL 50 are extensively used in industrial process water systems and effluent treatment plants. Typical industries include:

• Oil & gas and refinery wastewater

• Mining and mineral processing

• Pulp and paper mills

• Chemical manufacturing

• Food and beverage processing

In these applications, FLOQUAT FL 45 and FLOQUAT FL 50 effectively remove fine suspended solids, color bodies, surfactants, and emulsified oils, and enhance the performance of downstream clarification, flotation, or membrane systems.

6. Pulp and Paper Applications

In the pulp and paper industry, FLOQUAT FL 45 and FLOQUAT FL 50 are applied as fixing agents and retention aids. Their high charge density neutralizes anionic trash from recycled fiber, improves fines and filler retention, and enhances drainage efficiency on high-speed paper machines.

FLOQUAT FL 50 is especially advantageous in recycled fiber systems and closed-loop water circuits where anionic contaminants accumulate rapidly.

7. Operational and Economic Advantages

The key advantages of FLOQUAT FL 45 and FLOQUAT FL 50 include:

• Extremely high charge density for rapid coagulation

• Reduced chemical consumption due to high active content

• Lower storage and transportation costs

• Wide pH and temperature operating range

• Excellent compatibility with inorganic coagulants and polymer flocculants

Their liquid form ensures easy handling, accurate dosing, and fast response to process changes, making them ideal for automated treatment systems.