Cationic polyacrylamide ZETAG 8167 DK is a high-quality, high-molecular-weight cationic flocculant produced under the well-known ZETAG series, widely used for sludge dewatering, wastewater clarification, and solid–liquid separation. It is a dry granular polymer characterized by medium-to-high cationic charge density, excellent floc strength, fast settling speed, and strong adaptability to both municipal and industrial sludges. The main application of ZETAG 8167 DK is in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, especially mechanical sludge dewatering, where it ensures high sludge cake dryness, improved filtration efficiency, and reduced handling costs.

1. Primary Application: Municipal Sludge Dewatering

The largest and most important application of ZETAG 8167 DK is municipal sludge dewatering. In municipal sewage treatment plants, sludge is generated from primary clarifiers, secondary biological systems, and tertiary polishing processes. This sludge typically contains a high proportion of organic matter, fine colloids, and microbial flocs that are negatively charged and bound with a large amount of water.

1.1 How ZETAG 8167 DK Works

ZETAG 8167 DK performs through the combined mechanisms of:

• Cationic charge neutralization to reduce the repulsion among negatively charged sludge particles.

• Polymer bridging, where its long molecular chains connect fine particles and microorganisms into large flocs.

• Electrical double-layer compression, promoting tighter particle packing.

These effects cause the suspended solids to cluster into larger, denser, and more resilient flocs that release water more easily during mechanical dewatering.

1.2 Dewatering Equipment Compatibility

ZETAG 8167 DK is widely used in:

• Belt filter presses

• Decanter centrifuges

• Screw presses

• Plate-and-frame filter presses

Its key benefits in sludge dewatering include:

• Higher sludge cake dryness

• Lower filtrate turbidity

• Faster dewatering rate

• Reduced polymer consumption

• Stable performance under varying sludge conditions

In many municipal plants, ZETAG 8167 DK can increase dry solids content by 25–40%, allowing lower disposal and transportation costs and reducing the load on sludge drying or incineration facilities.

2. Industrial Wastewater Treatment Applications

ZETAG 8167 DK is widely used in industrial sectors due to its strong cationic charge, high molecular weight, and ability to handle sludges with diverse characteristics.

2.1 Papermaking and Pulp Industry

In the paper industry, large volumes of sludge originate from fiber recovery systems, paper machine white water, and biological treatment units. ZETAG 8167 DK is applied to:

• Dewater primary fiber sludge

• Dewater biological sludge

• Improve retention of fines and fillers

• Enhance clarification in white water loops

Its strong flocculation ability ensures high dry solids in sludge cakes, lower energy consumption, and improved operation stability on paper machines.

2.2 Textile and Dyeing Wastewater

Textile dyeing effluents contain large amounts of dyes, surfactants, and fine organic solids. ZETAG 8167 DK is used after coagulants (such as PAC or ferric chloride) to:

• Remove color

• Enhance floc formation

• Improve sedimentation or flotation performance

• Reduce suspended solids and COD

It is especially effective in treating dye-rich biological sludge with poor settling characteristics.

2.3 Food and Beverage Processing

Industries such as slaughterhouses, meat processing, dairy plants, breweries, and sugar mills generate wastewater rich in oils, proteins, fats, and organic matter. ZETAG 8167 DK is used to:

• Condition DAF sludge

• Improve biological sludge dewatering

• Reduce organic sludge moisture content

• Enhance solids capture rates

Its cationic nature makes it ideal for oily and protein-rich sludges that respond poorly to anionic flocculants.

2.4 Chemical and Petrochemical Industries

Industrial effluents from chemical processing frequently contain emulsions, high COD loads, and organic sludge. ZETAG 8167 DK enables:

• Effective destabilization of organic colloids

• Strong floc formation in secondary clarifiers

• Improved oil–water–solid separation

• Enhanced sludge dewaterability prior to disposal

3. Mining, Coal Preparation, and Mineral Processing

Although anionic flocculants dominate mineral processing, cationic flocculants like ZETAG 8167 DK have specific advantages in fine coal sludge and organic-rich mineral tailings.

3.1 Coal Washing Applications

Coal washing slurry often contains organic-rich particles and hydrophobic fines. ZETAG 8167 DK can:

• Improve settling of coal fines

• Increase thickener underflow density

• Enhance filtration performance

• Reduce moisture in dewatered coal tailings

3.2 Mineral Tailings and Concentrates

In certain minerals containing organic binders, clays, or finely dispersed organics, ZETAG 8167 DK helps to improve thickening efficiency and water recovery.

4. Oilfield and Refinery Wastewater Treatment

Oilfield produced water and refinery effluents contain emulsified oil droplets, suspended solids, polymers, and organic sludge. ZETAG 8167 DK is used in:

• API separators

• DAF units

• Sludge thickening

• Dewatering of oily residual sludge

Its strong cationic charge enhances oil–solid aggregation, enabling faster separation and better water clarity.

5. Drinking Water Treatment (Selective Use)

Although ZETAG 8167 DK is not commonly used in drinking water treatment, it may be applied in systems with:

• Low alkalinity

• High natural organic matter

• Negative colloidal charge

In such cases, small doses improve floc strength after metal coagulants like alum or ferric salts.

6. Advantages of ZETAG 8167 DK

ZETAG 8167 DK is chosen for many critical applications due to its:

• High molecular weight for strong bridging

• Medium-to-high cationic charge for superior conditioning

• Rapid floc formation and excellent settling behavior

• Low dosage requirement

• Wide pH adaptability

• Consistent performance even under high shear

• Strong effectiveness on organic and mixed sludges

The main application of ZETAG 8167 DK is sludge dewatering in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment. It is also extensively used for industrial sludge conditioning, textile effluents, pulp and paper sludge, food-processing wastewater, mining sludges, coal fines, and oily wastewater systems. With its high molecular weight, strong cationic charge, and excellent floc-forming ability, ZETAG 8167 DK delivers reliable and efficient solid–liquid separation performance, making it an essential flocculant for modern environmental and industrial treatment operations.