Anionic polyacrylamide ZETAG 4100 DK is a high-molecular-weight, medium-to-high anionic charge flocculant widely used for solid–liquid separation across industrial wastewater treatment, mineral processing, municipal sludge handling, and process water clarification. It is produced by Veolia (formerly BASF) as part of the ZETAG series of dry-powder polyacrylamide flocculants. ZETAG 4100 DK is engineered to provide rapid particle aggregation, excellent settling performance, and superior sludge dewatering efficiency in systems that contain negatively charged or mixed inorganic solids. Because of its high molecular weight, the product creates large, robust flocs that settle or filter efficiently, improving both water clarity and equipment throughput.

1. Primary Function of ZETAG 4100 DK

The principal role of anionic polyacrylamide ZETAG 4100 DK is to enhance solid–liquid separation by:

• Flocculating suspended solids

• Increasing settling velocity

• Improving sludge dewatering

• Clarifying process water

• Enhancing filtration efficiency

• Reducing turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS)

ZETAG 4100 DK works via polymer bridging: its long-chain anionic molecules adsorb onto particle surfaces and connect them into large flocs with high settling density. This makes it ideal for systems dominated by inorganic or mineral-based solids, where particles already display natural negative surface charges.

2. Municipal Wastewater & Sludge Treatment Applications

One of the main applications of ZETAG 4100 DK is in municipal wastewater plants. Here it is used for:

• Sludge thickening in gravity thickeners

• Sludge dewatering on centrifuges, belt presses, screw presses, and filter presses

• Clarification of secondary effluent

• Backwash water recovery

• Filtrate quality improvement

Municipal sludges, especially those with high mineral or mixed composition, respond well to anionic PAM because it forms strong, shear-resistant flocs that improve cake solids while reducing polymer consumption.

3. Industrial Wastewater Treatment

Industries generating inorganic wastewater streams rely heavily on ZETAG 4100 DK for process water treatment. Typical industries include:

• Power plants (fly ash, cooling tower water)

• Cement and concrete plants

• Electronics and semiconductor wastewater

• Textile dyeing and finishing

• Metalworking and galvanizing industries

• Food and beverage manufacturing

• Pulp and paper mills

Functions include:

• Removing suspended solids and fines

• Clarifying production wastewater

• Improving dissolved air flotation (DAF) performance

• Reducing sludge moisture and improving filtrate clarity

ZETAG 4100 DK is particularly suitable where wastewater contains clay, silica, metal oxide particles, pigments, or dye residues.

4. Mining & Mineral Processing Applications

Mining is one of the most important application sectors for ZETAG 4100 DK due to the large volumes of fine mineral solids and tailings requiring efficient separation. Applications include:

• Tailings thickening

• Process water clarification

• Concentrate dewatering

• Tailings pond treatment

• Fine particle recovery

• Hydrometallurgical wastewater treatment

Industries using the product include:

• Coal preparation

• Iron ore beneficiation

• Gold, copper, and nickel mining

• Phosphate and potash processing

• Industrial mineral operations (kaolin, silica, bentonite, feldspar)

ZETAG 4100 DK is preferred in mining operations that require:

• High settling rate

• Strong, cohesive flocs that resist shear

• Excellent clarity in overflow or recycled water

• Efficient thickener underflow density

This reduces chemical consumption, saves water, increases equipment capacity, and allows for better tailings management.

5. Oil & Gas Industry

While cationic polymers are more common in oilfield sludge, anionic polyacrylamides like ZETAG 4100 DK are used in:

• Drilling fluid solids control

• Drill cuttings dewatering

• Produced water clarification (inorganic solids)

• Frac water recycling

• Treatment of sand, silt, and clay-laden flowback water

The polymer effectively aggregates drilling solids and formation fines, reducing turbidity and supporting reuse of treated water.

6. Aggregates, Sand Washing & Construction

ZETAG 4100 DK is widely used in:

• Sand washing systems

• Stone-crushing wastewater

• Ready-mix concrete recycling

• Quarry wash water

Because these streams contain high levels of silica, clay, and mineral fines, the high molecular weight anionic PAM rapidly clarifies wash water and promotes efficient settling in clarifiers.

7. Pulp & Paper Industry

In pulp and paper mills, ZETAG 4100 DK is used for:

• Paper mill sludge dewatering

• Fiber recovery

• Pre-treatment of whitewater

• Ash removal

• Effluent clarification

Its strong bridging flocculation improves both primary and secondary sludge handling.

8. Benefits of Using ZETAG 4100 DK

Across industries, ZETAG 4100 DK provides multiple operational and cost benefits:

• Faster settling and improved clarifier throughput

• Lower turbidity in treated water

• Higher sludge cake solids

• Reduced polymer dosage compared with lower-molecular-weight flocculants

• Improved belt press and centrifuge performance

• Lower disposal cost due to drier dewatered sludge

• Improved water recycling and reuse efficiency

Its robustness makes it suitable for variable wastewater conditions and systems with difficult-to-treat fines.

9. Summary

Anionic polyacrylamide ZETAG 4100 DK is a versatile, high-performance flocculant designed for applications requiring efficient solid–liquid separation across municipal, industrial, and mining sectors. It excels in sludge thickening, dewatering, tailings treatment, clarification, and water recycling. Its ability to create strong, uniform flocs ensures enhanced settling, better filtrate quality, and improved operational efficiency across different separation processes.