PRAESTOL DW30 is a high-molecular-weight anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) widely used as an efficient flocculant in solid–liquid separation processes. It belongs to the PRAESTOL® product family and is designed to deliver strong flocculation performance, rapid settling, and reliable operation in complex industrial environments. Owing to its anionic charge density and long polymer chains, PRAESTOL DW30 is particularly effective for suspensions containing fine inorganic particles, mineral solids, and metal hydroxides. Its applications cover mining and mineral processing, alumina refining, wastewater treatment, sludge thickening and dewatering, paper and pulp processes, and industrial water clarification.

1. Mining and Mineral Processing

One of the primary applications of PRAESTOL DW30 is in mining and mineral processing operations. During crushing, grinding, flotation, and classification, large volumes of process water become heavily loaded with fine mineral particles that settle slowly under gravity. PRAESTOL DW30 is added to thickeners, clarifiers, and tailings treatment systems to promote aggregation of these fine particles into large, dense flocs.

Through polymer bridging, PRAESTOL DW30 significantly increases settling rates, improves thickener overflow clarity, and enhances underflow solids concentration. It is commonly used in iron ore, copper, gold, coal, phosphate, and bauxite operations. By improving water recovery from tailings, PRAESTOL DW30 reduces freshwater consumption, supports closed-loop water systems, and contributes to safer and more stable tailings management.

2. Alumina Refining and Red Mud Settling

PRAESTOL DW30 is widely applied in alumina refineries operating the Bayer process. In this process, bauxite digestion generates red mud, a highly alkaline residue composed of extremely fine particles that are difficult to settle. Efficient separation of red mud from pregnant liquor is essential to minimize soda losses and maintain high alumina production efficiency.

In primary settlers, mud washers, and secondary clarification units, PRAESTOL DW30 enhances red mud flocculation and accelerates settling. Its chemical stability under high pH and elevated temperature conditions makes it suitable for harsh Bayer process environments. The use of PRAESTOL DW30 results in clearer overflow liquor, improved counter-current washing efficiency, reduced caustic soda loss, and improved overall refinery performance.

3. Industrial Wastewater Treatment

Another major application of PRAESTOL DW30 is industrial wastewater treatment. Many industrial effluents contain suspended solids, inorganic fines, pigments, and colloidal particles that are difficult to remove by physical treatment alone. PRAESTOL DW30 is used in primary and secondary clarification systems to aggregate these particles and facilitate rapid settling or flotation.

Industries such as metallurgy, power plants, chemical manufacturing, ceramics, building materials, and textile processing benefit from its high flocculation efficiency. When used alone or in combination with inorganic coagulants such as ferric chloride or aluminum sulfate, PRAESTOL DW30 produces strong, compact flocs. This leads to lower effluent turbidity, improved compliance with discharge regulations, and reduced sludge volumes.

4. Municipal Wastewater and Sludge Treatment

In municipal wastewater treatment plants, PRAESTOL DW30 is mainly applied in sludge thickening and dewatering processes. It conditions primary sludge, waste activated sludge, or mixed sludge by binding fine particles into larger flocs that release water more easily during mechanical dewatering.

PRAESTOL DW30 is compatible with belt filter presses, centrifuges, screw presses, and filter presses. Its use increases cake solids content, improves filtrate quality, and reduces polymer consumption compared with lower-molecular-weight products. This results in lower operating costs, reduced sludge transportation requirements, and more efficient sludge disposal.

5. Paper and Pulp Industry

In the paper and pulp industry, PRAESTOL DW30 is applied for white water clarification, fiber recovery, and sludge dewatering. During papermaking, fine fibers, fillers, and pigments can be lost with process water. PRAESTOL DW30 flocculates these fines, allowing them to be recovered and reused, which improves raw material utilization and reduces wastewater load.

It is also used in pulp and paper mill effluent treatment plants to clarify wastewater and enhance dewatering of primary and biological sludges. Improved solids removal helps mills meet environmental discharge limits and optimize water reuse within the plant.

6. Industrial Water Clarification and Recycling

PRAESTOL DW30 plays an important role in industrial water clarification and recycling systems. It is used in cooling water blowdown treatment, mine water clarification, surface water treatment, and process water reuse systems. By promoting fast settling of suspended solids, it produces clear water suitable for reuse, helping industries reduce freshwater intake and wastewater discharge.

7. Key Advantages and Performance Characteristics

The wide application of PRAESTOL DW30 is driven by several technical advantages. It provides high flocculation efficiency at relatively low dosages, exhibits good solubility and handling properties, and performs reliably across a broad pH range. Its anionic nature makes it particularly effective for mineral-rich and metal-containing suspensions and compatible with common inorganic coagulants.