ZETAG 4100 is a high-molecular-weight anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) designed for superior performance in solid–liquid separation processes. As part of the ZETAG product line, widely recognized worldwide for reliability and efficiency, ZETAG 4100 is used to promote rapid flocculation, accelerate sedimentation, improve sludge dewatering, and support clarification systems across multiple municipal and industrial sectors. Its anionic character and long polymer chains allow it to bridge fine particles and create dense, shear-resistant flocs even under demanding operational conditions. Because many wastewater and mineral particles carry a natural negative surface charge, ZETAG 4100 is especially effective for suspensions dominated by inorganic solids, mineral fines, silts, clays, and mixed industrial residues.

1. Municipal Wastewater Treatment

One major application of ZETAG 4100 is municipal wastewater treatment, where it plays a key role in sludge conditioning, clarification, and dewatering. In municipal plants, solids originate from biological activity, grit, inorganic particles, and chemical precipitates. ZETAG 4100 provides the following benefits:

• Sludge Dewatering

Municipal sludge often requires mechanical dewatering to reduce moisture content before disposal. ZETAG 4100 is used on:

• Belt filter presses

• Decanter centrifuges

• Filter presses

• Screw presses

Its strong flocs promote rapid water release, producing a drier sludge cake and reducing hauling and disposal costs.

• Gravity and Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) Thickening

ZETAG 4100 improves the performance of:

• Gravity thickeners

• DAF systems

• Lamella clarifiers

It increases solids concentration, enhances thickener throughput, and stabilizes floc structure for downstream processing.

• Clarification of Secondary Effluent

ZETAG 4100 supports the removal of suspended solids and biological fines, improving effluent quality and reducing turbidity prior to discharge or reuse.

2. Industrial Wastewater Treatment

ZETAG 4100 is broadly used across industries that generate wastewater rich in inorganic particles or mineral-based impurities. Its anionic nature is effective for systems containing clay, silica, ash, dyes, fillers, pigments, metal hydroxides, and mixed process residues.

Industries where ZETAG 4100 is widely applied:

• Power generation (fly ash, cooling tower water)

• Textile manufacturing and dyeing operations

• Ceramic and tile factories

• Electronics and semiconductor wastewater

• Petrochemical and refinery industries

• Metal plating and galvanizing plants

• Food and beverage manufacturing

• Pulp and paper wastewater streams

Key industrial functions of ZETAG 4100:

• Turbidity reduction in raw or treated wastewater

• Solid–liquid separation through sedimentation or flotation

• Improvement of DAF performance for oily wastewater

• Enhancement of filtration, sedimentation, and thickening rates

• Stabilization of sludge structure during mechanical dehydration

Its high molecular weight enables bridge flocculation, producing large, heavy, and easily separated flocs.

3. Mining and Mineral Processing

Mining is one of the most important sectors for ZETAG 4100, as mineral slurries often contain very fine, hard-to-settle particles. ZETAG 4100 is used across multiple mining processes.

• Tailings Thickening and Disposal

Mine tailings typically consist of clays, silts, silica, and other fine solids. ZETAG 4100 helps:

• Increase underflow density

• Reduce water content in tailings

• Accelerate sedimentation in high-rate thickeners

• Decrease flocculant dosage and improve operational stability

• Clarification of Process Water

Water used in milling, flotation, and grinding often needs to be recycled. ZETAG 4100 promotes rapid clarification of process water, reducing suspended solids and improving water reuse efficiency.

• Dewatering of Concentrates and Rejects

ZETAG 4100 is effective in dewatering:

• Iron ore concentrates

• Coal refuse

• Bauxite residues

• Gold and copper flotation tailings

• Industrial mineral slurries

Its strong floc structure enhances filtration, supports vacuum filter performance, and reduces downstream drying energy.

• Thickener Optimization

ZETAG 4100 helps improve:

• Settling rates

• Bed layer compaction

• Overflow clarity

• Underflow pumping efficiency

The polymer’s robust flocculation behavior remains stable even in high-shear or high-solids environments.

4. Sand Washing, Aggregates, and Construction Materials

Sand and aggregate washing processes generate wastewater rich in suspended solids such as:

• Silts

• Clays

• Fine sand particles

• Mineral dust

ZETAG 4100 is used to clarify wash water and enable rapid sedimentation of solids, reducing turbidity and allowing facilities to recycle wash water efficiently. Applications include:

• Sand washing plants

• Quarry wash water systems

• Concrete recycling wastewater

• Ready-mix concrete operations

Using ZETAG 4100 reduces freshwater consumption, improves operational sustainability, and minimizes the size of settling ponds.

5. Chemical Processing, Fermentation, and Environmental Engineering

ZETAG 4100 is suitable for numerous specialized processes where solid–liquid separation is necessary.

Applications include:

• Clarification of high-solids chemical wastewater

• Removal of metal hydroxides after neutralization

• Treatment of boiler blowdown

• Fermentation broth clarification

• Sludge conditioning in industrial effluent plants

• Landfill leachate treatment, especially when solids are inorganic or mineral-based

The polymer’s ability to form strong, stable flocs contributes to reliable performance even in systems with variable water chemistry.

6. Key Advantages of ZETAG 4100

Across industries, ZETAG 4100 offers consistent operational benefits:

• Rapid floc formation, improving settling and thickener loading

• High molecular weight, enabling strong bridging action

• Large, shear-resistant flocs, suitable for mechanical dewatering

• Improved filtration and cake dryness

• Lower polymer consumption due to efficient flocculation

• Superior water clarity, optimizing recycling and discharge

• Stable performance in a wide pH range

• Compatibility with inorganic coagulants like PAC, alum, and ferric chloride

These features make ZETAG 4100 a trusted polymer across multiple critical industries.

Summary

ZETAG 4100 is a versatile, powerful anionic polyacrylamide used in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, mining operations, sand washing plants, chemical processing, and sludge dewatering. Its strong flocculating ability, high molecular weight, and excellent performance in systems containing mineral or inorganic solids make it ideal for efficient solid–liquid separation, improved dewatering, and enhanced water clarity. Its broad compatibility and operational reliability make it a preferred flocculant in processes where consistent and robust flocculation is essential.