• info@aquasan.ca
  • 450 202-1460
    • English
    • Français

    Client area

    Main Site / Site Principal

    aquasan_wordmark_reverseaquasan_wordmark_blackaquasan_wordmark_reverseaquasan_wordmark_reverse
    • About
    • Products
      • Coagulants
      • Polymers
      • Commodity and Specialty Chemicals
    • Applications
      • Agri-Food Industry
      • Sludge Dewatering
      • Industrial Wastewater
      • Waste Remediation
      • Chemical Phosphorus Removal
      • Animal Production
    • Articles
    • Contact
    ✕
    Get Started
    Factors influencing nitrification and denitrification
    June 17, 2022
    Removal of organic load from wastewater
    June 17, 2022

    Powder or emulsion polymer, the advantages and disadvantages of each.

    In emulsion polymers, there are cross-linked polymers. This type of polymer resists better to high shear rates and are therefore very useful to keep flocs...

    Flocculating polymers can be in several forms. They can be in powder form, i.e. a dry polymer, or they can be in emulsion form, i.e. a liquid polymer. Both forms of polymers have advantages and disadvantages that must be considered.

     

    Powdered polymers

    Benefits

    Mainly, powdered polymers require a low concentration solution. Solutions are generally found at a concentration between 2 and 5 g/L. This is due to the 100% active agent percentage in powder polymers. The operating and logistical costs will therefore be lower than those of emulsion polymers since less polymer is needed to reach the required concentration of active agents.

    Storage is also a notable advantage of dry polymers. Bags of powdered polymer can be stored for over a year in a cool, dry place. Just make sure the polymer is not in contact with any source of water or moisture.

    Disadvantages

    The curing time required before a dry polymer solution can be used is approximately 1 hour. This period allows the polymer molecules to develop, making them active and completely effective.

    The curing time of powder polymers and their preparation creates a need for additional infrastructure. This implies a high capital cost in contrast to the facilities required for emulsion polymers. The quality of the solution is also an issue, since it is necessary to avoid forming polymer agglomerations. If these agglomerations form in the mixing tank, then the efficiency of the solution will be reduced, as some of the polymer will not be brought into solution.

     

    Emulsion polymers

    Benefits

    Emulsion polymers require only one step, dilution, and can be used without any curing time. This greatly simplifies the infrastructure and reduces the capital costs required to prepare emulsion polymer solutions compared to those required for powder polymers.

    In emulsion polymers, there are cross-linked polymers. This type of polymer resists better to high shear rates and are therefore very useful to keep flocs intact when dewatering sludge by centrifugation.

    Disadvantages

    The percentage of active agents for this type of polymer is 50% maximum since it is diluted in oil to stabilize it. The concentrations are generally between 2.5 and 10 g/L, which implies a higher cost per volume of polymer than the cost for powdered polymers.

    The shelf life of emulsion polymers is approximately 9 months in a cool, dry place. As with powdered polymers, contamination by water and exposure to cold should be avoided. It is possible, during storage, that the oil and polymer molecules settle. The effectiveness of the product is then affected. Frequent stirring of the emulsion polymer tanks is necessary to avoid this settling.

     

    Criteria

    Powdered polymers Emulsion polymers

    Application

    Cross-links are only available in dry polymer version

    Cross-links resistant to high shear rates

    Efficiency

    100% active agents

    (Solutions between 2 and 5 g/L)

    Maximum 50% active agents

    (Solutions between 2.5 and 10 g/L)

    Operation cost

    Lower High
    Capital cost High

    Lower

    Shelf life

    More than one year

    About 9 months

    Storage capacity

    Store in a cool, dry place

    Store in a cool, dry place.

    Needs to be mixed to avoid settling.

    Operational capacity

    Needs more attention

    Requires less attention

    Health and safety Viscous

    Very viscous

    Related posts

    June 17, 2022

    Removal of organic load from wastewater


    Read more
    June 17, 2022

    Factors influencing nitrification and denitrification


    Read more
    November 22, 2021

    Which coagulant is the cheapest on the market?


    Read more

    WANT TO OPTIMIZE YOUR WASTEWATER TREATMENT?

    Ready to book a time? Find a slot that works for you and we’ll meet virtually.

    Complete our form. One of our experts will review your needs and get back to you soon!

    Related posts

    June 17, 2022

    Removal of organic load from wastewater


    Read more
    June 17, 2022

    Factors influencing nitrification and denitrification


    Read more
    November 22, 2021

    Which coagulant is the cheapest on the market?


    Read more
    • About
    • Products
    • Applications
    • Articles
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    In Case of Emergency:

    • Anti-Poison Center: 800-463-5060
    • Canutec: 613-996-6666
    © 2023 Aquasan. All Rights Reserved. Muffin group
      aquasan_wordmark_reverseaquasan_wordmark_blackaquasan_wordmark_reverseaquasan_wordmark_reverse
      Get Started
      • info@aquasan.ca
      • 450 202-1460
        • English
        • Français

        Client area

        Main Site / Site Principal