Decoding SNF Flocculant Model Numbers: A Quick Guide for Engineers

Why Bother Learning These Codes?

On a dewatering or sedimentation site, choosing the wrong flocculant can mean poor results or even system failure.

SNF (the world’s largest polyacrylamide manufacturer) encodes key technical parameters directly into product names. Once you learn the logic, you can instantly tell:

• Is it cationic or anionic? (Organic sludge or mineral slurry?)
• High or low molecular weight? (Large flocs or fast dissolution?)
• Suitable for automated dosing or manual mixing? (Bridging risk? Dust issues?)

Let’s get straight to it.

1. First Word: Product Family

Prefix	Meaning	When to Use
FLOPAM	Standard PAM flocculant, mainly powder	80% of applications
FLORET	Specialty chemical for papermaking	Paper industry first
FLOBEADS	Bead-shaped product	Automated dosing, low dust
FLOSTRENGTH	Strength-enhanced flocculant	High shear resistance needed

2. Second Word: Ionic Type — The Most Important Decision

Code	Full Name	Ionic Type	Application	Wrong Use
FO	FLOPAM Organic	Cationic	Organic sludge dewatering: municipal, textile, food, paper sludge	Don’t use for coal washing (waste of money)
AN	FLOPAM Anionic	Anionic	Inorganic suspension settling: coal washing, metallurgy, mineral processing, drilling mud	Don’t use for organic sludge (won’t work)

One simple rule:

Organic sludge → FO. Inorganic minerals → AN. Never reverse them.

3. The Numbers: Charge Density & Molecular Weight Code

Numbers don’t have a universal formula, but within each series they follow a pattern:

• FO 4000 / FO 8000 : Common charge/MW levels in cationic series
• AN 900 / AN 923 : Specific formulation codes in anionic series

Always read numbers together with suffixes — don’t rely on numbers alone.

4. Suffixes: The “Encrypted” Details on MW, Particle Size & Dissolution

This is the most overlooked but most operationally important part.

4.1 Molecular Weight Grades

Suffix	Meaning	Characteristics	Best For
VHM	Very high molecular weight	Very large flocs, fast settling, slightly slower dissolution	Rapid settling of coarse particles
SSH	Super high MW + high charge	Strong flocs, shear-resistant	High-shear equipment (e.g., centrifuges)
SH / SHU	High MW (standard)	Best all-around value	Most municipal wastewater plants
MPM	Medium particle size / medium MW	Dissolves in ~60 min, balanced performance	When you don’t want oversized flocs
BPM / VLM	Low molecular weight	Fast dissolution, small flocs	Drag reduction, retention aid, special uses

4.2 Physical Form & Granulation

Suffix	Meaning	Practical Value
PG1 / PG2	Granulation grade	PG2 has larger particles, better flow — ideal for automated dosing, less bridging
MPM	Medium particle size	Between powder and large granules — less dust, decent dissolution
No suffix (standard powder)	Standard powder	Fastest dissolution but most dust — operator unfriendly
FLOBEADS	Bead-shaped	Minimal dust, excellent flow — costs more but worth it

4.3 Functional & Certified Suffixes

Suffix	Meaning	Restriction
SEP	Certified for drinking water treatment	Must meet safety standards — not interchangeable
PWG	Drinking water grade (alternate code)	Same as above
HD / SD	High charge density	For fine particles, high turbidity wastewater

5. Practical: Decode a Model in 3 Steps

Take FLOPAM FO 4490 SSH (you may not have this exact number, but the logic applies):

Step	Look at	You See	Interpretation
①	First word	FLOPAM	Standard PAM flocculant
②	Second word	FO	Cationic → for organic sludge
③	Numbers	4490	High charge / high MW combination in this series
④	Suffix	SSH	Super high MW + high charge, shear-resistant

Conclusion: A cationic, super-high-MW, high-charge flocculant for centrifuges or belt presses treating high-organic sludge.

Another example: FLOBEADS KB 6 PG1

Step	Look at	You See	Interpretation
①	Prefix	FLOBEADS	Bead-shaped → low dust, good flow
②	Second	KB	Cationic bead series
③	Number	6	Specific formulation code
④	Suffix	PG1	Granulation grade 1

Conclusion: A bead-shaped cationic product for automated dosing. PG1 has slightly smaller particles than PG2.

6. Common Selection Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake	Consequence	Correct Action
Using anionic (AN) for organic sludge	Very poor flocculation, turbid supernatant	Use cationic (FO)
Using cationic (FO) for coal washing	High cost, mediocre results	Use anionic (AN)
Using standard MW product in a centrifuge	Flocs get shredded, high solids in filtrate	Use SSH or other shear-resistant grade
Using standard powder in an automated silo	Bridging, dust problems	Use PG grade or FLOBEADS
Using non-SEP product in drinking water	Regulatory violation, safety risk	Always use SEP/PWG grade

7. One-Picture Summary (Save This)

FLOPAM  FO  4000  SSH
   │     │     │     │
   │     │     │     └── Super high MW + high charge (shear-resistant)
   │     │     └──────── Series charge/MW code
   │     └────────────── Cationic (organic sludge)
   └──────────────────── Standard PAM flocculant

FLOPAM  AN  900   VHM
   │     │    │     │
   │     │    │     └── Very high MW (large flocs)
   │     │    └──────── Anionic series code
   │     └───────────── Anionic (inorganic minerals)
   └─────────────────── Standard PAM flocculant

FLOBEADS  KB  6   PG1
    │       │   │    │
    │       │   │    └── Granulation grade 1 (smaller particles)
    │       │   └─────── Formulation code
    │       └─────────── Cationic bead series
    └─────────────────── Bead-shaped (low dust, good flow)

Final Takeaway

SNF product codes aren’t gibberish — they’re a structured technical shorthand.

Just remember these three rules:

FO for organics, AN for minerals — match the ionic type first.
Centrifuges need SSH; automated dosing needs beads or PG.
Drinking water requires SEP — never compromise on safety.

If you’re struggling to select the right product for a specific sludge or wastewater stream, describe your situation (wastewater type, equipment, current problem) and I can help narrow down the options. Bookmark this article — you’ll want it next time you look at a quote or specification sheet.

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Note: This guide is based on public technical literature and industry experience. Always confirm final selection with SNF’s official Technical Data Sheets (TDS) and on-site jar testing.