PAM for Paper Making
Cationic PAM improves fiber retention, drainage speed, and sheet formation — while treating paper mill effluent to meet discharge standards.
Retention & Drainage Aid
Cationic PAM is the most widely used retention aid in paper manufacturing. It bridges fine fibers and fillers to the cellulose network, improving first-pass retention from 60-70% to 85-95%. This reduces raw material loss, improves sheet formation, and speeds up drainage on the wire.
Sludge Dewatering
Paper mills generate large volumes of primary and secondary sludge. High-charge-density cationic PAM conditions the sludge for belt press or centrifuge dewatering, reducing moisture content from 95-97% to 75-80%. This cuts sludge disposal costs by 50-70%.
Effluent Treatment
Paper mill wastewater contains fine fibers, fillers, ink particles, and dissolved organics. Anionic PAM works as a coagulant aid after alum or PAC addition, flocculating suspended solids for clarifier settling. Treated water can be recycled back to the process.
Broke Recovery
In broke pulping systems, PAM helps recover fine fibers from broke water, reducing fiber loss and improving white water clarity. This is especially important in mills running recycled fiber furnishes.
Dosage by Application
| Application | PAM Type | Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| Retention aid (wet end) | CPAM 20-40% CD | 0.3-1.0 kg/t paper |
| Sludge dewatering | CPAM 40-60% CD | 3-8 kg/t DS |
| Effluent clarification | APAM 8-12M MW | 1-3 mg/L |
| Broke recovery | CPAM 20-30% CD | 0.2-0.5 kg/t |
Need PAM for Your Paper Mill?
Our technical team can optimize retention aid programs and sludge dewatering for your specific furnish and equipment.
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