water treatment chemicals

How Polyacrylamide (PAM) Enhances Brewery Wastewater Treatment and Sustainability

In the beer industry, wastewater treatment is a complex and arduous task. A large amount of wastewater is generated during the beer production process, which contains high concentrations of organic matter and nutrients. It must undergo pretreatment before it can be effectively purified in traditional wastewater treatment plants. Polyacrylamide (PAM), a high-molecular-weight polymer, has become an efficient solution for wastewater treatment in breweries. This article will explore how PAM can improve the wastewater treatment process in breweries and contribute to sustainable development.

 

The characteristics of brewery wastewater

Beer production involves multiple stages, including malt making, grinding, mashing, boiling, filtration, hop addition, fermentation, maturation, clarification and packaging. Wastewater from different sources will be produced in these processes, mainly including:

  • Washing water in the malt production process
  • Solidified cleaning water
  • Washing water for the saccharification process
  • Fermentation tank cleaning water
  • Canned and bottle washing water
  • Cooling water
  • Washing water in the finished product workshop
  • And some domestic sewage

These wastewater often contain organic substances such as proteins, yeast, polysaccharides and residual grains. The water quality is complex and the treatment is difficult.

How does PAM Improve the Wastewater Treatment in Breweries

Enhanced Removal of Suspended Solids

Beer wastewater often contains suspended solids such as yeast, protein and residual grains, which leads to turbid water quality. As a flocculant, PAM can coagulate these fine particles into larger flocs, which are convenient for sedimentation and removal.

By effectively reducing the content of suspended solids, PAM helps to lower the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS), thereby ensuring that the effluent meets environmental discharge standards.

Enhance Filtration Efficiency

Filtration is a crucial step in the wastewater treatment process. PAM can neutralize the charge of suspended particles, promote the formation of larger and denser flocs, thereby reducing the load on the filtration system and improving efficiency.

This not only enhances the processing effect but also reduces the frequency of equipment maintenance and lowers operating costs.

Reduce the Amount of Sludge and Treatment Costs

Beer wastewater often contains suspended solids such as yeast, protein and residual grains, which leads to turbid water quality. As a flocculant, PAM can coagulate these fine particles into larger flocs, which are convenient for sedimentation and removal.

By effectively reducing the content of suspended solids, PAM helps to lower the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS), thereby ensuring that the effluent meets environmental discharge standards.

How to Choose Polyacrylamide for Brewery Wastewater Treatment

Understand the Characteristics of Brewery Wastewater

In the wastewater treatment of breweries, choosing the appropriate type and dosage of PAM is very crucial. To achieve the best treatment effect, it is necessary to determine the molecular weight, ion type and dosage of PAM through laboratory and on-site tests in combination with the specific components and water quality characteristics of the wastewater.

The key factors include:

The types of suspended solids in wastewater: Beer wastewater usually contains organic substances such as proteins, yeast, and polysaccharides, especially yeast and malt proteins.

The pH value of wastewater: Different pH values of wastewater can also affect the performance of PAM.

The turbidity of wastewater: Wastewater with high turbidity requires more efficient flocculants to ensure sedimentation efficiency.

Select the Appropriate Type of PAM

PAM is mainly classified into three types: cationic, anionic and nonionic. For beer wastewater with high organic matter content and negative charge, high-molecular-weight cationic PAM is usually the best choice. Its strong flocculation ability can quickly settle impurities and improve the efficiency of solid removal.

Determining the Amount of PAM to Add in Brewery Wastewater Treatment

The dosage of PAM is crucial to the effectiveness of wastewater treatment. Adding too much PAM may lead to waste and excessive sludge production, while adding too little may result in poor treatment effect. Therefore, accurately controlling the dosage of PAM is of vital importance.

Experimental Testing

By conducting small experiments (Jar tests), the optimal dosage can be identified. By adjusting the dosage of PAM, the removal rate of suspended solids in wastewater at different dosages was observed to determine the optimal dosage.

Gradual Adjustment

According to the scale of the brewery's wastewater treatment system, gradually adjust the dosage to ensure that solid substances in the wastewater are fully removed.

Polyacrylamide (PAM) offers an efficient, economical and environmentally friendly solution for wastewater treatment in breweries. Its ability to flocculate and coagulate suspended solids helps improve water quality, filtration efficiency and wastewater management. Yuncang is dedicated to providing high-quality water treatment chemicals to meet the unique needs of various industries, including breweries. We are adept at choosing the appropriate type and dosage of PAM to ensure the best processing performance, reduce operating costs and environmental impact. With our technical support and flexible supply chain solutions, we help our clients achieve cleaner water quality, enhance sustainability, and effectively meet regulatory standards. Choose Yuncang to get reliable, cost-effective and environmentally friendly water treatment solutions.

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  • Post time: Sep-26-2025

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