Flopam AN 977 is a high-performance anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) manufactured by SNF Group. It is widely recognized in the field of water treatment, mining, and sludge management for its high molecular weight, moderate to high degree of hydrolysis, and exceptional flocculation capability. The polymer is designed for use in diverse solid-liquid separation processes where effective clarification, sedimentation, or dewatering is required.

1. General Characteristics of Flopam AN 977

c It generally has a hydrolysis degree of around 25% to 30%, offering balanced interaction with a wide range of suspended solids in aqueous environments. Supplied in granular or powder form, AN 977 is easily dissolved in water and prepared into solution for injection into process streams.

These characteristics make Flopam AN 977 ideal for use as a flocculant in a variety of industries, particularly where the suspension contains inorganic or negatively charged particles.

2. Primary Application: Wastewater Treatment

One of the most common and critical applications of Flopam AN 977 is in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants, where it is used to:

• Improve solid-liquid separation

• Enhance clarification and sedimentation

• Reduce total suspended solids (TSS) and turbidity

• Promote sludge thickening and dewatering

In municipal systems, Flopam AN 977 is used in:

• Primary sedimentation tanks to increase settling rate of solids

• Secondary clarifiers to remove biological flocs

• Sludge dewatering units (centrifuges, belt presses, screw presses) to increase cake solids and reduce sludge volume

In industrial effluents—such as those from textile, metal finishing, and food industries—it improves the removal of fine particles, enhances water clarity, and supports compliance with discharge regulations.

3. Sludge Thickening and Dewatering

Flopam AN 977 is especially valuable in sludge thickening and mechanical dewatering, where it serves to:

• Aggregate colloidal and fine particles into larger flocs

• Increase drainage rate

• Reduce polymer consumption

• Improve dewatered cake dryness

It is suitable for various sludge types, including:

• Activated sludge

• Primary sludge

• Digested sludge

• DAF sludge

By forming robust and shear-resistant flocs, AN 977 ensures efficient operation of mechanical dewatering equipment while minimizing polymer dosage and enhancing the quality of both cake and filtrate.

4. Application in Mining and Mineral Processing

Flopam AN 977 is widely used in mineral processing operations due to its powerful flocculation characteristics. It assists in:

• Tailings management

• Thickener performance enhancement

• Water recycling and reuse

• Fines recovery and sediment consolidation

This product is particularly effective for processing:

• Copper, gold, iron ore, zinc, and lead tailings

• Phosphate and bauxite residues

• Coal fines and preparation plant waste

Its ability to rapidly settle suspended solids and reduce turbidity allows for improved process water recycling and reduces the environmental footprint of mining activities.

5. Clarification of Raw Water and Potable Water Production

Flopam AN 977 can be applied in the clarification of surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs used in drinking water production. It is used in:

• Sedimentation basins

• Flocculation tanks

• Lamella clarifiers

When applied after inorganic coagulants like aluminum sulfate or ferric chloride, AN 977 assists in forming stronger and faster-settling flocs, reducing the need for larger doses of metal salts, and decreasing sludge volume.

6. Paper and Pulp Industry

In the paper and pulp industry, Flopam AN 977 is used as a:

• Retention aid to improve the capture of fine particles and fillers on the paper machine wire

• Drainage aid to enhance water removal on the forming section

• Flocculant for wastewater and white water clarification

Its performance results in better sheet formation, increased machine speed, reduced breaks, and lower effluent loading.

7. Sugar Industry

In sugar processing, Flopam AN 977 finds application in:

• Juice clarification during the initial processing of cane or beet juice

• Mud filtration and thickening

• Decantation and settling of fine particulates

It accelerates the settling of suspended solids and helps improve the recovery of sucrose while reducing water and energy consumption.

8. Oil and Gas Industry Applications

In the oil and gas sector, Flopam AN 977 is used to treat:

• Produced water

• Drilling muds and cuttings

• Fracturing flowback water

It is effective at clarifying water contaminated with fines, sand, clay, and other solids, thus aiding in water reuse and environmental compliance.

9. Soil Conditioning and Erosion Control

Flopam AN 977 is employed in agricultural and environmental engineering projects to:

• Stabilize soil in areas prone to erosion

• Enhance water infiltration and reduce runoff

• Improve sediment control in construction or mining areas

Its strong flocculating power promotes the aggregation of soil particles and minimizes the transport of fines into waterways.

10. Performance Advantages of Flopam AN 977

• High molecular weight leads to strong bridging flocculation

• Moderate hydrolysis degree offers flexibility in a range of water chemistries

• Fast settling results in improved operational efficiency

• Excellent clarity of treated water

• Versatility across industries and water types

• Lower chemical demand in many applications

• Compatible with most coagulants and treatment systems

Typical Usage Conditions

• Dosage: 1–10 ppm, depending on application and solids content

• Solution concentration: Typically prepared as a 0.1–0.3% aqueous solution

• pH range: Effective from pH 4 to 9

• Mixing: Requires gentle but adequate mixing to disperse polymer without degradation

Conclusion

Flopam AN 977 is a highly efficient, versatile anionic polyacrylamide flocculant with widespread applications across municipal, industrial, mining, and environmental sectors. Its high molecular weight and optimal hydrolysis degree allow it to perform effectively in complex solid-liquid separation processes, including sludge dewatering, tailings treatment, water clarification, and process enhancement. Whether in centrifuges, clarifiers, or thickeners, Flopam AN 977 contributes to cost-effective, environmentally responsible, and operationally sound treatment strategies.