Oilfield Drilling Fluid Additives Flocculants Polymers

Introduction

Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a water-soluble polymer widely used as a flocculant, coagulant aid, thickener, and viscosity modifier in various industrial applications. With excellent bridging and adsorption capabilities, PAM can effectively bind fine particles, accelerate solid–liquid separation, and improve processing efficiency in multiple systems. According to ionic type—anionic, cationic, or nonionic—PAM can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of wastewater treatment, sludge conditioning, oilfield operations, mineral processing, and papermaking. Its strong performance, broad adaptability, and cost-effectiveness make PAM one of the most important polymers in modern Water Treatment and industrial fields.

Application 

1. Wastewater Treatment
   Polyacrylamide is widely used as a flocculant for industrial and municipal wastewater. It effectively removes suspended solids, reduces turbidity, accelerates sedimentation, and improves effluent clarity. It is suitable for textile, dyeing, chemical, food processing, mining, and paper mill wastewater systems.

2. Sludge Dewatering
   PAM (especially cationic types) enhances the dewatering efficiency of sludge by forming strong and stable flocs, reducing sludge volume, lowering moisture content, and improving the performance of belt presses, centrifuges, and screw press dewatering machines.

3. Oilfield Applications
   In oil extraction, PAM is applied for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), drilling mud additives, fracturing fluids, profile control, and water plugging. It improves viscosity, stabilizes drilling fluids, and increases oil recovery rates.

4. Papermaking
   PAM is used as a retention aid, drainage aid, and dry/wet strength agent. It helps improve fiber retention, reduce additive loss, enhance paper strength, and optimize overall papermaking efficiency.

5. Mining and Mineral Processing
   PAM assists in solid–liquid separation in coal washing, sand washing, and mineral processing operations. It promotes faster settling of fine particles, improves water recycling, and enhances system efficiency.

6. Agriculture and Soil Conditioning
   Used as a soil conditioner, PAM improves soil structure, reduces erosion, increases water retention, and stabilizes irrigation channels.

7. Construction and Tunneling
   PAM is utilized in grouting, tunneling, and foundation engineering as a water reducer, mud stabilizer, and lubricant, helping maintain soil stability during excavation.