Application of NALCO 3265 and 9597 Polydadmac
1. Introduction to NALCO Polydadmac Series
NALCO 3265 and 9597 are liquid cationic polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PolyDADMAC) coagulants widely used in municipal and industrial water treatment. Polydadmac is a high-charge-density cationic polymer that acts primarily through charge neutralization, rapidly destabilizing negatively charged colloidal particles, natural organic matter (NOM), algae, fine suspended solids, and emulsified contaminants. Unlike high-molecular-weight polyacrylamides, which mainly rely on bridging mechanisms, polydadmac works effectively on colloidal suspensions and small particles.
These two NALCO products are part of a broad portfolio designed to meet the varying requirements of potable water clarification, industrial effluent treatment, and sludge conditioning, while offering compatibility with both inorganic coagulants and polymer flocculants.
2. NALCO 3265 – Applications
NALCO 3265 is a medium-to-high-charge polydadmac formulated for general water clarification and turbidity control.
2.1 Municipal Drinking Water Treatment
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Applied as a primary coagulant for surface waters, rivers, and reservoirs.
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Effectively removes clay, silt, algae, and natural organic matter, reducing turbidity and color.
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Enhances sedimentation and filtration efficiency, reducing headloss and filter maintenance.
2.2 Coagulant Aid for Inorganic Salts
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Often combined with alum or ferric chloride to improve flocculation.
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Reduces the required inorganic coagulant dose, lowering sludge volume and residual metals.
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Provides improved filter run times and enhanced clarity.
2.3 Industrial Water Applications
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Used in cooling tower water and boiler feed water pretreatment to remove suspended solids and organic contaminants.
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Helps reduce fouling, scaling, and corrosion in industrial water systems.
2.4 Wastewater Treatment
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Enhances primary clarification, removing fine suspended solids, fats, oils, and grease.
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Reduces organic load to biological treatment units, improving overall process stability.
3. NALCO 9597 – Applications
NALCO 9597 is a high-charge, high-performance polydadmac, designed for more challenging water and wastewater conditions, including high turbidity, high organic matter, and algae-laden waters.
3.1 Drinking Water Clarification
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Particularly effective in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs with seasonal turbidity spikes or algal blooms.
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Removes difficult-to-settle colloids, humic and fulvic acids, and color-forming NOM.
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Reduces disinfection by-product (DBP) precursors such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs).
3.2 Coagulation with Metal Salts
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Functions as a coagulant aid with alum, ferric chloride, or polyaluminum chloride.
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Enhances floc size and settling rate, improving clarifier efficiency.
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Allows reduced metal salt dosage and lowers sludge production.
3.3 Industrial Wastewater Treatment
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Used in food and beverage, chemical, and textile industries for clarification of high-strength wastewater.
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Effective at removing colloidal solids, emulsified oils, and dyes.
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Enhances performance of dissolved air flotation (DAF) units, clarifiers, and sedimentation basins.
3.4 Sludge Conditioning and Dewatering
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Applied upstream of centrifuges, belt filter presses, and gravity thickeners.
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Neutralizes particle charges in sludge, promoting aggregation and improving free water release.
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Often used in combination with high-molecular-weight polyacrylamide flocculants to optimize cake dryness and reduce polymer consumption.
4. Key Operational Advantages
Both NALCO 3265 and 9597 offer several advantages in water and wastewater treatment operations:
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Rapid coagulation: Instant charge neutralization of colloids and NOM.
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Versatility: Effective across a broad pH and temperature range.
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Sludge reduction: Lower sludge production than traditional metal coagulants.
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Improved downstream operations: Enhances filtration, dewatering, and sludge handling.
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Ease of dosing: Supplied as a liquid, compatible with standard injection and mixing systems.
Specifically, 9597 is preferred for high-turbidity or high-organic-content waters, while 3265 is suitable for moderate turbidity or routine clarification applications.
5. Typical Use Cases
5.1 Municipal Water Treatment
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Surface water clarification, algae control, and color removal.
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Coagulation support with alum, ferric chloride, or PAC for turbidity and DOC reduction.
5.2 Municipal Wastewater Treatment
5.3 Industrial Applications
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Food and beverage: removal of suspended solids, proteins, and fats.
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Pulp and paper: clarification of fiber fines and dissolved organics.
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Textile: removal of dyes and colloidal solids.
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Oil and gas: treatment of oily wastewater and emulsions.
6. Application Guidelines
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Typical dosage: 0.5–10 mg/L depending on raw water quality.
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Can be applied directly or with inorganic coagulants.
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Dosing location: rapid-mix basin, inline injection, or pre-clarifier feed.
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Often paired with anionic or nonionic flocculants for enhanced flocculation and dewatering.
7. Conclusion
NALCO 3265 and 9597 polydadmac are high-performance cationic coagulants designed for a wide spectrum of water and wastewater treatment applications. Their ability to rapidly destabilize colloids and organic matter, combined with compatibility with inorganic coagulants and flocculants, makes them suitable for municipal drinking water treatment, industrial wastewater clarification, and sludge conditioning. Selecting the appropriate grade—3265 for moderate turbidity and 9597 for high-turbidity or high-organic conditions—enables operators to achieve improved water quality, operational efficiency, and reduced chemical usage while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.
