Summer brings high temperatures and heavy rain, which can affect the quality and performance of polyacrylamide. To get the best results, please follow these simple guidelines for storage and dissolution.
Storage: Keep Dry, Cool, and Shaded
Choose a proper place
Store PAM in a cool, dry, and well‑ventilated indoor area. Keep it out of direct sunlight – never leave it exposed to the sun.
Control temperature and humidity
Ideal storage temperature is between 5 °C and 30 °C. Try to keep relative humidity below 50‑70% to prevent moisture absorption.
Seal bags tightly
PAM absorbs moisture easily. After opening a bag, reseal it immediately. Place bags on wooden or plastic pallets at least 30 cm above the floor to avoid ground dampness. If the powder gets wet and forms lumps, it will be very hard to dissolve and may become unusable.
Avoid metal contact
Do not store PAM solutions or dry powder in iron, copper, or other metal containers for a long time, because metal ions can cause PAM to break down and lose effectiveness. Use plastic, stainless steel, or fiberglass‑reinforced plastic containers instead.
Observe shelf life
Dry PAM powder generally has a shelf life of 1‑2 years, but it is best to use it as soon as possible after opening. Once dissolved, the solution should be used promptly – for anionic PAM, keep it for no more than one week; for cationic PAM, use it within one day.
Dissolution: Use Cold Water, Add Slowly, and Prepare Fresh
Water temperature
Use ordinary tap water at room temperature. Never use hot water (above 40‑60 °C), as high temperatures will degrade the PAM and reduce its effect.
Concentration
A recommended concentration is 0.1‑0.3%, which means adding 1‑3 grams of PAM powder per litre of water.
Adding powder and stirring
Add slowly and evenly – while stirring, sprinkle the powder gradually and uniformly into the water. Do not pour all at once, or you will get stubborn, undissolved gel lumps (like "fish eyes").
Control stirring speed – keep the stirring speed at about 60 revolutions per minute (rpm). Too fast stirring can break the long molecular chains and reduce performance. Try to stir in the same direction.
Dissolution time – in summer, the warmer water helps PAM dissolve faster. Generally, anionic and cationic PAM need about 40 minutes of stirring, while non‑ionic PAM needs about 90 minutes.
Final reminder:
The golden rule for summer is: keep the powder dry and cool, dissolve it in room‑temperature water at a low concentration, add it slowly with proper stirring, and always prepare fresh solution just before use. Following these steps will help you get the most out of your PAM product.
