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Use of polyacrylamide in the wastewater treatment of poultry farms

May 29, 2025
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Poultry wastewater treatment is one of the biggest challenges facing the poultry industry. Wastewater from poultry farms contains high concentrations of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and suspended solids, which can have a devastating impact on the environment if not treated properly. In recent years, the use of polyacrylamide (PAM) as a coagulant in the treatment of poultry farm wastewater has attracted a lot of attention. This article provides a detailed discussion of the applications, advantages, disadvantages, and methods of using polyacrylamide in poultry wastewater treatment.

1. Problems of installation and treatment of wastewater from poultry farms

Wastewater from poultry farms contains various compounds that make cleaning difficult:

1.1 Main components of wastewater from poultry farms

  • Organic substances (proteins, fats and carbohydrates)

  • Nitrogen (in the form of urea, ammonia and organic nitrogen compounds)

  • Phosphorus (especially from poultry manure and feed residues)

  • Total suspended solids (TSS)

  • Pathogens and microorganisms

  • Hormones and antibiotics (in some cases)

1.2 Problems of wastewater treatment in poultry farms

  • High organic load (high chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand)

  • Excessive concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus lead to eutrophication of water resources.

  • The presence of small suspended particles that are difficult to settle

  • Seasonal changes in the quality and quantity of wastewater

  • creates an unpleasant odor

  • Risk of groundwater contamination

2. Introduction to Polyacrylamide (PAM)

Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer that is widely used in water and wastewater treatment.

2.1 Chemical composition

PAM is made up of repeating units of acrylamide. The general formula is as follows:

[-CH2-CH(CO)-NH2-]n

2.2 Types of polyacrylamide

  1. Non-ionic polyacrylamide (NPAM)

  2. Anionic polyacrylamide (APAM)

  3. Cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM)

2.3 Physical and chemical properties

  • High molecular weight (usually 1 to 30 million daltons)

  • Solubility in water

  • High viscosity of the aqueous solution

  • Good chemical stability

3. Mechanism of action of polyacrylamide in the treatment of wastewater from livestock farming.

PAM helps treat poultry wastewater through several mechanisms:

3.1 Coagulation and agglomeration

  • Coagulation    : neutralization of the charge of colloidal particles.

  • Cohesion    : the formation of larger molecules by linking.

3.2 Improvement of sedimentation

  • Increase in particle settling rate

  • Formation of heavier, denser blood clots.

3.3 Reduction of turbidity

  • Removal of suspended fine particles

  • Wastewater treatment

3.4 Removal of organic matter and nutrients

  • Helps remove nitrogen and phosphorus by absorption with coagulant.

  • Reduction of chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand

4. Special use of polyacrylamide in the treatment of poultry farm wastewater.

4.1 Primary cleaning

  • Removal of coarse suspended solids

  • Reduction of primary turbidity

4.2 Recycling

  • Improves the function of aerobic and anaerobic systems.

  • Improving the efficiency of organic matter removal

4.3 Third Cleaning

  • Removal of phosphorus by chemical coagulation

  • Significant reduction in turbidity and total suspended solids

4.4 Sludge thickening

  • Reduce sludge formation

  • Increase the drying speed of the sludge

5. Benefits of using PAM in the treatment of livestock wastewater

5.1 Technical Data

  • Improvement of cleaning efficiency

  • Reduce hydraulic holding time

  • Improvement of wastewater quality

  • Reduce sludge formation

5.2 Economic benefits

  • Low initial investment costs

  • Reduce operating costs

  • Energy saving

5.3 Environmental benefits

  • Reducing pollution of surface and groundwater

  • Reduction of odour emissions

  • Possibility of reusing treated wastewater

6. Disadvantages and limitations of using PAM

6.1 Technical problems

  • An optimal dose is required (too little or too much can be a problem)

  • Sensitivity to operating conditions (pH, temperature, salinity)

  • Possibility of thrombus rupture with strong mechanical impact

6.2 Economic aspects

  • The cost of high-quality PAM is relatively high.

  • A precise injection system is required.

6.3 Environmental aspects

  • Potential toxicity of acrylamide monomer residues

  • Some types of PAM have limited biodegradability.

  • Long-term effects on aquatic ecosystems

7. Factors influencing the efficiency of PAM in livestock wastewater treatment

7.1 Types of PAM

  • Depending on the characteristics of the wastewater, choose anionic, cationic or non-ionic purifiers.

7.2 Lecturers

  • Determine the ideal dosage by trying the bottle.

7.3 Wastewater status

  • pH (the optimal value is usually between 6.5 and 8.5)

  • Temperature

  • Salzig

  • Concentration of suspended solids

7.4 Hybrid Approach

  • Intensity and time of fast and slow mixing

8. Comparison of PAM with other coagulants in the treatment of wastewater from livestock farming

8.1 Comparison with mineral coagulants

  • Alum

  • Ferric chloride

  • Polyaluminium chloride (PAC)

8.2 Comparison with other organic polymers

  • Poly-Dadmak

  • Polyamine

8.3 Relative Benefits of PAM

  • The dose should be reduced.

  • Reduction of sludge formation

  • More efficient removal of fine particles

9. Best Practices for Using PAM in Livestock Wastewater Treatment

9.1 How to Choose the Right PAM Type

9.2 Preparation of the PAM solution

  • How to dissolve PAM powder

  • Optimal concentration of the working solution

9.3 Injection points

  • Determine the best injection point during the cleaning process

9.4 Control and monitoring

  • Automatic Injection Dose Control System

  • Continuous monitoring   of wastewater quality

10. Practical examples and experiences

10.1 Case 1: Industrial poultry farming in Iran

10.2 Case 2: Application of PAA in a wastewater treatment plant of a poultry farm in Turkey

  • Future challenges

  • Solutions Implemented

  • Project

10.3 Hands-on experience in different poultry farms

  • Lessons learned

  • Technical advice

Polyacrylamid11. Safety and environmental aspects of using PAM

11.1 Security when using PAM

  •  Possible  risks

  • Personal protective equipment

11.2 Disposal of waste containing PAM

  • Safe disposal methods

  • Possible recycling

11.3 Wastewater quality standards

  • Compliance with national and international standards

  • Monitoring of PAM residues in wastewater

12. Prospects for the use of    PAAs in the treatment of poultry farm wastewater

12.1 Development of new formulas

  • biodegradable PAM material

  • PAM-based nanocomposites

12.2 Intelligent injection system

  • Using artificial intelligence    to improve    dosage

  • Advanced automated control system

12.3 Integration with other processing technologies

  • Integrated with membrane technology

  • For modern cleaning systems

At last

The use of polyacrylamide in the treatment of livestock wastewater is    an effective solution to improve treatment efficiency, reduce costs and protect the environment.    However, for successful use of this substance, it is necessary to select the right type, determine the ideal dosage, and pay attention to environmental and safety factors. The development of new formulations and intelligent injection systems could open up exciting prospects for the use of PAM in this area. Poultry farmers can select the optimal solution for the use of this material in their wastewater treatment systems by consulting with experienced specialists and conducting laboratory tests.