How to Prepare a 0.1% Polyacrylamide Solution

Direct answer

To prepare a 0.1% PAM solution, use 1 gram of dry polyacrylamide per 1 liter of water. Start the water moving, add the powder slowly across the surface rather than dumping it in one spot, and continue controlled mixing until the grade is fully hydrated and uniform. Follow the exact grade's make-down instruction for water quality, mixing time and usable storage period.

Calculate the batch

A 0.1% weight/volume laboratory solution contains 0.1 g per 100 mL, which is 1 g per liter. For 5 L, weigh 5 g; for 10 L, weigh 10 g. Use a suitable balance and a clean vessel with enough free volume for mixing.

The linked PAM product page covers anionic, cationic and nonionic powder grades. Record the exact grade on the solution label because two white powders can behave very differently in the same wastewater.

Mix in the order shown

1. Add the measured water to the vessel and establish a stable circulation pattern.
2. Sprinkle PAM gradually over a broad moving surface. Keep particles separate as they wet.
3. After addition, use gentler mixing that keeps the solution moving without unnecessary shear.
4. Continue until no dry particles or gel lumps remain and the solution is visually uniform.
5. Label the vessel with grade, concentration, preparation time and operator.

Prevent common make-down failures

Dumping powder into one point creates fish-eyes: dry polymer becomes trapped inside a hydrated shell. Adding powder before the water is moving promotes clumps on the vessel bottom. Excessive mechanical shear can reduce the useful polymer chain length. Contaminated or unsuitable water can also change hydration.

Use the offered grade's technical instruction to set water quality, temperature, impeller conditions, hydration time and solution holding period. Prepare only the amount needed for the planned jar tests or dosing window.

Use the solution in a jar test

Mix the stock solution before measuring an aliquot, then calculate the active dose from the stock concentration and sample volume. Add PAM at the intended point in the coagulation sequence and record the stock age, dose, mixing and floc response. This makes comparisons between polymer grades meaningful.

Technical specifications

Use these source-linked fields when preparing the sample request, specification or order record.

0.1% PAM batch calculation

The ratio is 1 gram of dry PAM per liter of final solution.