ZETAG 8115 DL is a cationic polyacrylamide emulsion widely used as a flocculant for wastewater treatment and sludge dewatering. As part of the ZETAG 8100 series (formerly BASF, now Solenis), ZETAG 8115 DL is designed for applications where medium–high cationic charge, excellent floc strength, and efficient water release are needed.

The main applications are summarized below.

1. Municipal Wastewater Treatment – Sludge Dewatering (Primary Application)

The largest and most important application of ZETAG 8115 DL is in municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), specifically for sludge dewatering operations.

It is especially effective for:

• Biological / secondary sludge

• Mixed primary + secondary sludge

• Anaerobically digested sludge

• Thickened waste activated sludge (WAS)

Why it is used:

Municipal sludge contains highly negatively charged particles and microorganisms that trap water. ZETAG 8115 DL neutralizes the charges and forms strong flocs, allowing water to separate quickly.

Equipment where it is commonly used:

• Centrifuges

• Belt filter presses

• Chamber / plate filter presses

• Screw presses

• Sludge drying beds or geotubes

Benefits in municipal dewatering:

• Increased cake dryness (higher % dry solids)

• Reduced sludge volume → lower disposal cost

• Improved centrifuge throughput

• Lower polymer dosage compared with traditional cationic polymers

• More stable operation even with variable sludge quality

This is the core application of ZETAG 8115 DL.

2. Industrial Wastewater Treatment

ZETAG 8115 DL is widely used to treat industrial effluents that contain negatively charged colloids, organic matter, and fibrous solids, including:

• Food & beverage effluent

• Petrochemical wastewater

• Textile & dyeing wastewater

• Paper mill wastewater

• Chemical & pharmaceutical wastewater

• Slaughterhouse and rendering plant effluents

• Tannery and leather industry wastewater

Functions in industrial treatment:

• Flocculates suspended solids

• Improves settling or flotation (DAF)

• Enhances sludge thickening before final dewatering

• Reduces turbidity in the treated effluent

Its medium–high cationic charge makes it suitable for organic-rich, oily, or micro-fine wastewater streams.

3. Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) Systems

ZETAG 8115 DL performs well in DAF systems, especially where oily contaminants or proteins must be removed.

Role in DAF:

• Pre-flocculates fine particles

• Helps micro-bubbles attach to solids

• Enhances removal of oil & grease (O&G)

• Produces a stronger, more stable float layer

• Reduces chemical oxygen demand (COD) in effluent

Industries relying heavily on DAF with ZETAG 8115 DL:

• Refineries

• Dairy and food processors

• Poultry/beef slaughterhouses

• Metal finishing wastewater systems

4. Sludge Conditioning Before Dewatering

ZETAG 8115 DL is a strong sludge conditioning polymer used to improve sludge structure before mechanical dewatering.

Its conditioning functions include:

• Charge neutralization

• Bridging micro-particles

• Enhancing capillary suction time (CST)

• Improving filtration resistance

• Increasing filter cake solidity and permeability

Conditioned sludge dewaters more easily and produces clearer filtrate.

5. Paper and Pulp Industry Applications

The pulp and paper sector uses ZETAG 8115 DL in:

• Sludge thickening and dewatering

• Clarification of white water and process water

• Deinking sludge treatment

Its cationic nature helps attach to cellulose fibers and fines, improving solid–liquid separation efficiency.

6. Food Processing and Organic Waste Effluent

Industries producing high-organic-content wastewater commonly use ZETAG 8115 DL because of its strong affinity for biological and organic solids:

Examples include:

• Breweries and wineries

• Starch and sugar factories

• Meat, poultry, seafood processing

• Dairy and cheese production

Performance advantages:

• Removes suspended proteins and fats

• Enhances DAF performance

• Improves sludge dryness and reduces disposal cost

• Stabilizes biological sludge from anaerobic/ aerobic systems

7. Biogas Plants and Anaerobic Digesters

In digestion systems, sludge becomes more difficult to dewater because of the breakdown of cell structure. ZETAG 8115 DL is effective in:

• Dewatering digested sludge

• Increasing dry solids content of digestate cake

• Lowering polymer consumption

• Improving throughput of dewatering equipment

This improves the economics of biogas plants and reduces handling cost.

8. Specialty Uses

Although not its main area, ZETAG 8115 DL can be used in:

• Oil & gas produced water treatment

• Refinery effluent clarification

• Biological treatment in mining sites

• Organic-rich tailings with high negative charge

Its use in mining is limited to special organic or biological slurries, not mineral tailings (where anionic PAM is preferred).

Summary: Main Application

The primary and most important application of cationic polyacrylamide ZETAG 8115 DL is:

✅ Sludge dewatering and sludge conditioning in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment.

All other applications—DAF treatment, industrial flocculation, organic wastewater handling, and digested sludge treatment—support this major functional role.