SMAS-modified flocculants achieve higher oil and turbidity removal efficiency than ordinary polyacrylamide for the following reasons:
- The introduced sulfonic acid groups have strong polarity and emulsifying breaking ability, which can efficiently adsorb oil droplets and colloidal suspended solids.
- Methyl branched chains provide steric hindrance, keeping molecular chains stretched under high salinity and avoiding curling and failure.
- High negative charge density enhances electric neutralization, destabilizing fine particles and emulsified oil rapidly.
- More active adsorption sites strengthen bridging and sweeping effects, forming large compact flocs for fast sedimentation.
- Excellent temperature and chemical resistance adapt to complex pH and water quality of oilfield produced water.
- The formed flocs are compact with low water content, realizing thorough oil-water separation and stable treatment effect.
