In industrialized countries, PAM is an integral part of public health sanitary strategies and water management due to its importance in the function of municipal and industrial waste water treatment plants. Without utilizing PAMs, the limits prescribed by the EU water framework directive (DIRECTIVE 2000/60/EC of 23 Oct, 2000) cannot be achieved. Sludge dewatering depends on the use of PAMs. All equipment in the waste water treatment does not function without PAM technology.cient to treat all the waste water without PAM technology.to a maximum of 40 % solids.
As a consequence, all municipal waste water treatment plants in the EU use PAM based flocculant technology for sludge preparation. Every year, 15 million tons of municipal waste water sludge is treated with PAM. The total capacity of all existing waste water treatment facilities in the EU would not be sufficient to treat all the waste water without PAM technology.
For sustainability reasons it is crucial to improve any dewatering process. PAM technology allows the formation of larger and stronger flocs, which facilitate dewatering. For example, higher cake solids reduce the energy required for transport, disposal and incineration. Sludge can be concentrated from 0.5 % to a maximum of 40 % solids.
Drinking Water
Treatment
PAM is approved for drinking water production worldwide, and is especially used in regions where surface water contains suspended solids.
PAM is approved for drinking water
production worldwide.
PAM can be used either alone, or more frequently, in combination with metal salts. The result is the formation of physically larger flocs which settle faster producing better filterability and decreased sludge volume. In addition the resulting reduction in ionic load can contribute to lower water corrosivity.
