Preparation of a flocculant based on polyamides

Abstract

SynopsisA flocculant based on waste oligomers from the polycaprolactam production was synthesized by alkaline reduction with Ni/Al alloy. Both the reduced oligoamide and the sodium aluminate are precipitated by methanol. An oligomer, absorbed by a mineral carrier, is isolated as final product. The modified oligoamide was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, and was shown to contain hydroxyl groups. The prepared flocculant may be used for the clarification of natural dilute (1%) clay suspensions and wastewaters. It accelerates the precipitation 35 times, giving a compact precipitate, which favors the decanting of the clarified liquid. The optimal concentration of the flocculant is 1.8 ghiter (corresponding to 0.06 g/liter oligomer).