Journal of Applied Sciences1812-56541812-5662Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/jas.2004.393.397AriffinA. ShatatRaid S.A. NorulainiA.R. Nik OmarA.K. Mohd 3200443Five cationic polyacrylamides of varying molecular weights but similar charge
density were synthesized using free radical polymerization and Mannich reaction,
characterized by different methods (infra red (IR) spectroscopy, differential
scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), viscosity measurements
and conductometric titration) and applied as flocculants to palm oil mill effluents
(POME). Flocculent performance was assessed by determining the polyelectrolyte
dosage and the removal efficiency of the resulting supernatants using turbidity,
suspended solids (SS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) as indicators. It was
found that varying in the molecular weight of the cationic polyacrylamide from
20X103 to 1.5X106 g mol-1
affects flocculent performance significantly. Polyelectrolyte adsorption increased
as the molecular weight of the polyelectrolyte increased. High molecular weight
cationic polyacrylamide (1.5X106 g mol-1)
is the most effective polymer as it obtains a high removal efficiency (%) with
a dosage as low as 60 mg L-1 at pH 3
of POME. The very high molecular weight cationic polyacrylamide (over 5 million
g mol-1) produced very poor floc formation
this is because polyelectrolytes having very high molecular weights do not dissolve
readily but tend to form gel lumps.]]>Sinnappa, S.,197851261272Agamuthu, P., E.L. Tan and A.A. Shaifal,198615121132Chin, K.K., S.W. Lee and H.H. Mohammad,199634119123Treweek, G.P. and J.J. Morgan,1977E. coli. Aggregation by polyethyleneimine.]]>60258258Graham, N.G.D.,198136161Gill, R.I.S. and T.M. Herrington,198832331334Ma, A.N.,199529201212Zuhairi, A.A.,20002000Rose, G.R. and M.R.S. John,1988pp: 212pp: 212Rey, P.A. and R.G. Varsanik,1986ACS,Foster, W.A.,1973pp: 3pp: 3Vorchheimer, N.,1981pp: 1pp: 1Gill, R.I.S.,19851985APHA,199218th Edn.,