ZETAG 8167 is a cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) flocculant widely used for solid–liquid separation in municipal wastewater treatment, industrial effluent clarification, sludge thickening, and sludge dewatering processes. It is characterized by high molecular weight and moderate cationic charge density, which allows it to effectively neutralize negatively charged particles while forming strong polymer bridges between solids. As a result, ZETAG 8167 produces large, stable flocs with excellent water-release properties, making it a reliable choice for demanding treatment applications.

1. Municipal Wastewater Treatment

The primary application of ZETAG 8167 is in municipal wastewater treatment plants, especially for sludge conditioning prior to mechanical dewatering. Municipal sludge consists mainly of biological solids, bacteria, extracellular polymers, and fine organic colloids, all of which carry negative surface charges.

Key applications include:

• Sludge dewatering: ZETAG 8167 is highly effective in centrifuges, belt filter presses, screw presses, and plate-and-frame filter presses. It forms compact and shear-resistant flocs that release free water rapidly.

• Increased cake dryness: Improved floc structure leads to higher dry solids content in the dewatered sludge cake, reducing disposal and transportation costs.

• Stable plant operation: ZETAG 8167 provides consistent performance even when sludge composition changes due to seasonal variations, rainfall, or fluctuating organic loads.

Its fast flocculation kinetics and strong floc integrity make ZETAG 8167 particularly suitable for high-speed and high-shear dewatering equipment.

2. Industrial Wastewater Treatment

ZETAG 8167 is widely applied in industrial wastewater treatment systems to remove suspended solids, organic matter, and colloidal particles from complex effluent streams.

Typical industrial applications include:

• Food and beverage industry: Effectively flocculates organic solids, fats, oils, proteins, and starch residues, improving effluent clarity and reducing load on downstream biological treatment.

• Chemical and pharmaceutical plants: Enhances clarification of wastewater containing fine particulates, reaction residues, and emulsified organic compounds.

• Textile and dyeing industries: Removes fibers, dyes, and colloidal pigments, significantly reducing turbidity and color in treated water.

• Metal finishing and electroplating: Assists in separating metal hydroxide flocs and fine particulates after neutralization and precipitation.

In these applications, ZETAG 8167 works through a combination of charge neutralization and polymer bridging, producing large flocs that settle or float quickly, improving clarification efficiency.

3. Sludge Thickening Applications

ZETAG 8167 is also commonly used in sludge thickening processes, where the objective is to increase solids concentration before dewatering or disposal.

Benefits in thickening systems include:

• Faster settling rates in gravity thickeners

• Higher underflow solids concentration

• Reduced hydraulic and solids load on downstream dewatering equipment

• Improved overall plant capacity and energy efficiency

ZETAG 8167 performs well in thickening biological sludge, mixed sludge, and industrial slurries, especially those with high organic content or fine particle size distribution.

4. Pulp and Paper Industry

In the pulp and paper industry, ZETAG 8167 is applied mainly as a sludge dewatering agent and retention aid.

Key applications include:

• Paper mill sludge dewatering: Improves dewatering efficiency of primary and secondary sludge, reducing sludge volume and disposal costs.

• Retention improvement: Enhances retention of fines, fillers, and pigments during paper sheet formation.

• White water clarification: Improves clarity of process water, enabling internal water recycling and reduced fresh water consumption.

By improving drainage and retention, ZETAG 8167 contributes to improved machine runnability, lower raw material loss, and more consistent paper quality.

5. Mining and Mineral-Related Water Treatment

Although ZETAG 8167 is not primarily designed for mineral beneficiation, it is widely used in mine water treatment and mineral-related wastewater applications.

Typical applications include:

• Mine water clarification: Removes fine suspended solids from pit water, process water, and tailings pond overflow.

• Sludge dewatering: Improves dewatering of mineral sludges generated during washing, flotation, or ore processing.

• Water recycling: Facilitates reuse of clarified water within mining operations, reducing fresh water consumption.

The flocs formed by ZETAG 8167 exhibit good resistance to shear and moderate tolerance to salinity, making it suitable for harsh mining environments.

6. Environmental and Operational Advantages

The application of ZETAG 8167 offers several important environmental and economic benefits:

• Lower polymer consumption: High flocculation efficiency reduces overall chemical usage.

• Improved water recovery: Supports recycling and reuse of treated water.

• Reduced sludge disposal costs: Higher cake solids and lower moisture content.

• Operational reliability: Stable performance across a wide range of wastewater and sludge conditions.

These advantages make ZETAG 8167 a preferred solution for facilities focused on cost control, compliance, and sustainable operation.

7. Dosage and Handling Considerations

• Typical dosage: 1–10 mg/L for wastewater treatment or 2–8 kg per ton of dry sludge solids, depending on sludge characteristics and dewatering equipment.

• Preparation: Supplied as a dry powder, ZETAG 8167 must be properly dissolved and aged to ensure full polymer hydration and activation.

• Safety: Non-hazardous under normal industrial use; standard personal protective equipment such as gloves and eye protection is recommended.

Laboratory jar tests and on-site trials are essential to determine the optimal dosage and achieve the best performance.

Conclusion

ZETAG 8167 is a versatile and high-efficiency cationic polyacrylamide flocculant widely applied in municipal wastewater treatment, industrial effluent clarification, sludge thickening, sludge dewatering, pulp and paper processing, and mining-related water treatment. Its balanced cationic charge density and high molecular weight ensure rapid floc formation, strong floc structure, and excellent dewatering performance. By improving solid–liquid separation, reducing sludge volume, and enhancing water reuse, ZETAG 8167 plays a vital role in modern, efficient, and environmentally responsible water and sludge treatment systems.