ChinaPAM's CNfloc series covers the full SNF FLOPAM range — cationic FO 4140 to FO 4800, anionic AN 905 to AN 956, and nonionic FA 920 — matched by charge density and molecular weight at 30–50% lower FOB cost. This cross-reference guide identifies CNfloc equivalents for each FLOPAM grade so you can shortlist 2–3 candidates for jar testing before a full switch.
SNF FLOPAM is the most-specified polyacrylamide brand in municipal and mining applications globally. According to Grand View Research (2024), SNF holds approximately 38% of global PAM market share. Many operators specify FLOPAM by model number — FO 4490 for belt press, AN 934 for thickeners — but the actual performance depends on charge density and molecular weight, not the brand label. When those two parameters match, the flocculation mechanism is identical regardless of manufacturer.
A polyacrylamide cross-reference is the process of matching a branded flocculant grade to an equivalent product from another manufacturer based on ionic type, charge density (mol%), and molecular weight (Daltons), enabling direct substitution without system redesign. According to WEF (Water Environment Federation), polymer selection depends on these three parameters — not brand origin.
Based on our 15+ years of manufacturing experience and direct substitution trials at customer sites in Australia, South Africa, and the Middle East, CNfloc grades have replaced FLOPAM without dosage adjustment in over 80% of direct swap trials where charge density matched within ±5%.
How FLOPAM Model Numbers Encode Specifications
SNF FLOPAM model numbers encode ionic type, charge density, and molecular weight in a structured naming convention — understanding this system lets you decode any FLOPAM grade into its core parameters for cross-referencing.
- FO series = Cationic PAM. The last 2–3 digits indicate relative charge level (higher = higher charge density). FO 4190 ≈ 10% charge, FO 4800 ≈ 70% charge.
- AN series = Anionic PAM. The middle digits encode hydrolysis degree and the last digit indicates MW class. AN 934 ≈ 30% hydrolysis, very high MW.
- FA series = Nonionic PAM. Near-zero ionic charge, pure bridging mechanism.
The critical initial screening parameters for any FLOPAM substitution are: (1) ionic type match, (2) charge density within ±5%, and (3) molecular weight within the same class (low/medium/high/very high). Application-specific performance testing follows.
Cationic PAM: CNfloc C-Series vs FLOPAM FO
Cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) with 5–70% charge density is the standard polymer for organic sludge dewatering — municipal belt presses, centrifuges, paper mill WWTP, and food processing effluent. SNF's FLOPAM FO series covers this range across approximately 15 standard grades. ChinaPAM's CNfloc C-series provides 10 grades spanning the same charge-MW matrix.
| CNfloc Grade | Charge Density (%) | MW (million Da) | FLOPAM FO Equivalent | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNfloc C8003 | 5–10 | 5–10 | FO 4140 / FO 4190 | Drinking water sludge, low-organic WTP |
| CNfloc C8013 | 10–15 | 5–10 | FO 4190 / FO 4240 | Mixed sludge, low-organic WWTP |
| CNfloc C8018 | 13–17 | 5–10 | FO 4190 / FO 4240 | Belt press, low–medium organic sludge |
| CNfloc C8017 | 15–20 | 8–10 | FO 4240 / FO 4290 | Municipal primary sludge dewatering |
| CNfloc C8028 | 20–25 | 10–12 | FO 4290 / FO 4350 | Municipal secondary sludge, centrifuge |
| CNfloc C8027 | 25–30 | 12–14 | FO 4350 / FO 4400 | Mixed municipal, food processing WWTP |
| CNfloc C8033 | 35–40 | 12–14 | FO 4440 / FO 4490 | High-organic industrial sludge, paper WWTP |
| CNfloc C8042 | 45–50 | 14–16 | FO 4490 / FO 4550 | Biological sludge, anaerobic digestate |
| CNfloc C8047 | 55–60 | 14–16 | FO 4650 / FO 4700 | High-organic sludge, oily wastewater |
| CNfloc C8063 | 65–70 | 14–16 | FO 4700 / FO 4800 | Very high-charge demand, polymer flooding |
Our senior application engineer notes: "For sludge dewatering substitutions, prioritize charge density match first. A charge mismatch of more than 10% shows up immediately as sticky cake or high filtrate turbidity. Molecular weight within the same class rarely changes press performance by more than 5%."
For belt press and centrifuge applications, the performance metrics that matter are: floc shear resistance, cake moisture content (target ≤80%), filtrate turbidity (target ≤50 NTU), and polymer consumption per ton dry solids. See our detailed CPAM charge density selection guide for equipment-specific recommendations.
Anionic PAM: CNfloc 1000-Series vs FLOPAM AN
Anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) is a negatively charged synthetic polymer with molecular weights ranging from 10 to 25 million Daltons, used primarily as a flocculant for inorganic suspended solids in mining, sand washing, and drinking water clarification. According to the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), APAM-based flocculants reduce tailings settling time by 60–85% compared to gravity-only thickening.
SNF's FLOPAM AN series covers 10–45% hydrolysis at 11–25 million Dalton molecular weight. Per AWWA water treatment standards, APAM dosage in drinking water applications must not exceed 1 ppm active polymer with residual monomer ≤0.05%.
| CNfloc Grade | Charge Density (%) | MW (million Da) | FLOPAM AN Equivalent | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNfloc 1008 | 4–8 | 13–15 | AN 905 / AN 910 | Drinking water clarification, low-turbidity |
| CNfloc 1015 | 10–15 | 11–13 | AN 910 / AN 913 | Sand washing, construction, paper mill |
| CNfloc 1022 | 18–22 | 20–22 | AN 923 | General mineral processing, coal tailings |
| CNfloc 1030 | 25–30 | 16–18 | AN 926 / AN 934 | Mining thickeners, iron ore, coal washing |
| CNfloc 1032 | 28–32 | 23–25 | AN 934 | High-MW thickener, copper/gold tailings |
| CNfloc 1037 | 33–37 | 21–23 | AN 934 / AN 945 | Phosphate mining, steel plant effluent |
| CNfloc 1042 | 38–45 | 18–20 | AN 945 / AN 956 | High-charge anionic, bauxite red mud |
AN 934 is the single most-specified FLOPAM grade in mining globally — it occupies the sweet spot of ~30% hydrolysis and very high molecular weight that works across copper, gold, and iron ore thickeners. CNfloc 1030 and 1032 bracket this specification. In our direct swap trials with Australian and South African mining customers, these two grades matched FO 934 settling performance without dosage adjustment in 8 out of 10 cases.
For mining thickener applications, evaluate settling rate (m/h), underflow density (% solids), and overflow clarity (NTU). Our anionic PAM product range covers 4–45% charge and 11–25M Da molecular weight across 7 standard grades.
CNfloc anionic grades are used in mineral processing plants for tailings thickening and process water clarification
Nonionic PAM: CNfloc 1003 vs FLOPAM FA 920
Nonionic polyacrylamide (NPAM) operates through pure polymer bridging without electrostatic interaction — making it the correct choice for acidic systems (pH 3–6), low-conductivity water, and applications where ionic interference from dissolved salts would destabilize charged polymer flocs.
| CNfloc Grade | Charge (%) | MW (million Da) | FLOPAM Equivalent | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNfloc 1003 | 0–3 | 9–11 | FA 920 series | Acid mine drainage, low-pH systems |
For nonionic applications, dissolving rate and solution viscosity at working concentration matter more than MW precision. See our nonionic PAM specifications for detailed dissolution protocol.
PHPA (Oilfield Grade): CNfloc 1630 vs FLOPAM AN 926/934
Partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PHPA) used in drilling mud and enhanced oil recovery overlaps with the anionic PAM specification range but requires additional qualification: salt tolerance to saturation brine, thermal stability to 120°C+, API fluid loss ≤15 mL, and controlled hydrolysis degree.
| CNfloc Grade | Charge (%) | MW (million Da) | FLOPAM Equivalent | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNfloc 1630 | 25–30 | 16–18 | AN 926 / AN 934 | Drilling fluid, shale inhibition, fluid loss control |
For oilfield applications, charge and MW are necessary but not sufficient. Per API RP 13B-1, you must additionally qualify: apparent viscosity at 600/300 rpm, yield point, filtrate volume, and thermal stability. Our PHPA oilfield grade ships with full API-standard mud performance test data.
5-Step Substitution Validation Protocol
A cross-reference table gets you to candidate grades. Lab and field testing confirm performance equivalence. This is the validation protocol we provide to every customer switching from FLOPAM:
- Shortlist from this table: Select 2–3 CNfloc grades that bracket your current FLOPAM charge density ±5%.
- Jar test / beaker test: Prepare 0.1–0.2% solution using same protocol as FLOPAM. Compare floc size, settling rate, and supernatant turbidity at identical dose points.
- Sludge dewatering test: Buchner funnel or CST test. Target: cake moisture within ±2% and filtrate within ±5 NTU of FLOPAM baseline.
- Mining settling test: 500 mL cylinder at 3 dose levels (80%, 100%, 120% of current FLOPAM dose). Measure settling velocity, compression height, overflow NTU.
- Field trial at 110% dose: Run conservative dose for first week. Adjust down once steady-state confirms. Most operators converge to FLOPAM-equivalent dose within 2 weeks.
Settling cylinder test: dark solids settle to bottom with clear supernatant — the standard field validation for FLOPAM-to-CNfloc substitution
We supply a free cross-reference sample kit: 500 g each of 2–3 candidate grades for direct side-by-side jar testing. Contact us with your current FLOPAM grade number and application — we will identify the best CNfloc match.
Custom Manufacturing Based on Your TDS
If your current FLOPAM grade falls between standard CNfloc specifications — or your process requires non-standard charge density, molecular weight, or dissolution rate — we offer custom manufacturing based on your TDS (Technical Data Sheet). Send us the TDS of your current product, and our R&D team will formulate a grade that matches your exact specifications. Custom batches start at 2 MT with 15–20 days production lead time. This is particularly useful for operators with highly optimized systems where even ±3% charge deviation affects performance.
Request Free Cross-Reference Samples
Tell us your current FLOPAM grade and application. We ship 500 g samples of 2–3 matched CNfloc grades for direct comparison testing — no charge for qualified industrial buyers.
Quick Reference: All FLOPAM → CNfloc Mappings
If you know your FLOPAM grade and need the CNfloc candidate fast:
| SNF FLOPAM Grade | CNfloc Equivalent(s) | Type |
|---|---|---|
| FO 4140 / FO 4190 | C8003, C8013 | Cationic |
| FO 4240 / FO 4290 | C8017, C8018 | Cationic |
| FO 4350 / FO 4400 | C8027, C8028 | Cationic |
| FO 4440 / FO 4490 | C8033 | Cationic |
| FO 4490 / FO 4550 | C8042 | Cationic |
| FO 4650 / FO 4700 | C8047 | Cationic |
| FO 4700 / FO 4800 | C8063 | Cationic |
| AN 905 / AN 910 | 1008 | Anionic |
| AN 910 / AN 913 | 1015 | Anionic |
| AN 923 | 1022 | Anionic |
| AN 926 / AN 934 | 1030, 1032 | Anionic |
| AN 934 / AN 945 | 1037 | Anionic |
| AN 945 / AN 956 | 1042 | Anionic |
| FA 920 series | 1003 | Nonionic |
| AN 926 / AN 934 (drilling) | 1630 | PHPA Oilfield |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from FLOPAM to CNfloc without changing my dosing equipment?
Yes. Dissolution and dosing equipment is identical — same aging tanks, same mixers, same metering pumps. The only requirement is to flush the system with clean water before switching to prevent residual polymer interaction. Allow 2–3 system volumes of flush water between polymer types.
What quality certifications does ChinaPAM hold for CNfloc products?
ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certified manufacturing facility. Solid content ≥92%, residual acrylamide monomer ≤0.05% (identical limit to SNF for water treatment grades). Food-grade PAM carries NSF/ANSI 60 certification. Every batch ships with Certificate of Analysis including charge density, molecular weight, solid content, and dissolution time.
What is the MOQ for a CNfloc trial to replace FLOPAM?
500 kg minimum for trial orders — enough for jar testing plus 2–4 weeks of field trial at a medium WWTP or mining thickener. Standard commercial MOQ is 1 MT per grade. We accept mixed-grade pallets in a single container for customers evaluating multiple FLOPAM replacements simultaneously.
How long does delivery take from ChinaPAM?
7–10 days production lead time plus 18–25 days sea freight to most destinations. Total 25–35 days order-to-delivery. High-runner grades (C8033, C8042, 1030, 1032) are stocked for same-week dispatch. Compare this to 4–8 week lead times from SNF European production for non-standard grades.
Is FLOPAM AN 934 the most common grade customers replace?
Yes. AN 934 is the world's most-specified mining flocculant grade — approximately 30% charge density at very high molecular weight, optimized for thickener underflow. CNfloc 1030 and 1032 cover both the lower-MW and higher-MW variants of that specification window. Request both for parallel settling cylinder tests — one typically outperforms at your specific ore mineralogy and PSD.
For a broader comparison of PAM manufacturers including SNF, BASF, and Kemira, see our top 10 PAM manufacturers ranking. For general China PAM sourcing guidance including pricing and logistics, see the supplier guide. Visit our homepage for full product catalog and technical support.