Effects of floc and bubble size on the efficiency of the dissolved air flotation (DAF) process

2007 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
pp. 109-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mooyoung Han ◽  
Tschung-il Kim ◽  
Jinho Kim

Dissolved air flotation (DAF) is a method for removing particles from water using micro bubbles instead of settlement. The process has proved to be successful and, since the 1960s, accepted as an alternative to the conventional sedimentation process for water and wastewater treatment. However, limited research into the process, especially the fundamental characteristics of bubbles and particles, has been carried out. The single collector collision model is not capable of determining the effects of particular characteristics, such as the size and surface charge of bubbles and particles. Han has published a set of modeling results after calculating the collision efficiency between bubbles and particles by trajectory analysis. His major conclusion was that collision efficiency is maximum when the bubbles and particles are nearly the same size but have opposite charge. However, experimental verification of this conclusion has not been carried out yet. This paper describes a new method for measuring the size of particles and bubbles developed using computational image analysis. DAF efficiency is influenced by the effect of the recycle ratio on various average floc sizes. The larger the recycle ratio, the higher the DAF efficiency at the same pressure and particle size. The treatment efficiency is also affected by the saturation pressure, because the bubble size and bubble volume concentration are controlled by the pressure. The highest efficiency is obtained when the floc size is larger than the bubble size. These results, namely that the highest collision efficiency occurs when the particles and bubbles are about the same size, are more in accordance with the trajectory model than with the white water collector model, which implies that the larger the particles, the higher is the collision efficiency.

2002 ◽  
Vol 2 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 41-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Han ◽  
Y. Park ◽  
J. Lee ◽  
J. Shim

Although dissolved air flotation (DAF) has been successfully adopted for water and wastewater treatment, the fundamental characteristics of the process have not been fully investigated. According to recent theoretical work on DAF, bubble size is one of the most important factors that affect the efficiency of the process, with better removal efficiency when the sizes of both bubbles and particles are similar. In this study, a newly developed particle counter method (PCM) was introduced to measure particle sizes. To confirm its usefulness, the results were compared with those from image analysis. Then, using PCM, the size of bubbles in DAF was measured under various pressure conditions which are known to affect the bubble size the most (from 2 to 6 atmospheres). The bubble size decreased as the pressure increased up to a pressure of 3.5 atmospheres. Above this critical pressure, the bubble size did not decrease with further increases in pressure. According to these experimental results, it is not only costly, but also unnecessary, to maintain a pressure above 3.5 atmospheres if the goal is only to generate smaller bubbles.


2006 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 133-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.C. Liu ◽  
C.Y. Lien

The feasibility of the dissolved air flotation (DAF) process in treating chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) wastewater was evaluated in this study. Wastewater from a local semiconductor manufacturer was sampled and characterised. Nano-sized silica (77.6 nm) with turbidity of 130±3 NTU was found in the slightly alkaline wastewater with traces of other pollutants. Experimental results indicated removal efficiency of particles, measured as suspended particle or turbidity, increased with increasing concentration of cationic collector cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). When CTAB concentration was 30 mg/L, pH of 6.5±0.1 and recycle ratio of 30%, very effective removal of particles (> 98%) was observed in saturation pressure range of 4 to 6 kg/cm2, and the reaction proceeded faster under higher pressure. Similarly, the reaction was faster under the higher recycle ratio, while final removal efficiency improved slightly as the recycle ratio increased from 20 to 40%. An insignificant effect of pH on treatment efficiency was found as pH varied from 4.5 to 8.5. The presence of activator, Al3 +  and Fe3 + , enhanced the system performance. It is proposed that CTAB adsorbs on silica particles in polishing wastewater through electrostatic interaction and makes particles more hydrophobic. The increase in hydrophobicity results in more effective bubble-particle collisions. In addition, flocculation of silica particles through bridging effect of collector was found; it is believed that flocculation of particles also contributed to flotation. Better attachment between gas bubble and solid, higher buoyancy and higher air to solid ratio all lead to effective flotation.


2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 89-95
Author(s):  
Jungsoo Mun ◽  
Sungwon Park ◽  
Mooyoung Han

The removal efficiency of the dissolved air flotation (DAF) process to separate particles from water and wastewater depends on the size and zeta potential of bubbles and particles, the solution and operating conditions, hydraulic characteristics, etc. The effects of aluminium ions and turbulent flow-produced when air-saturated water was spouted into the reactor in the DAF process, on removal and, particle behaviour were on investigated. When bubble size was similar to particle size (10–50 μm), the maximum removal efficiency was 92% in a Kaolin solution of 10−3 M Al3 +  without pre-treatment for flocculation process, and, as time passed, the floc size was observed to increase at a pH of 8, which was the condition of high removal efficiency as seen through image analysis. When the air-saturated water was spouted into the reactor, the size of particle at p.z.c. (point of zero charge) seemed to increase to form a floc due to collision effects caused by turbulent flow. Consequently, floc formation by turbulent flow in the reactor seemed to positively affect removal efficiency.


1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 177-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Vlaški ◽  
A. N. van Breemen ◽  
G. J. Alaerts

Conventional (sedimentation) and advanced (dissolved air flotation) treatment were studied in the context of removal of the single cells form of the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa. This cyanobacterium species is recognised as an ideal surrogate for process removal efficiency assessment of particles of the problematic size range (3-10 m). The agglomeration (coagulation/flocculation) phase has been indicated as essential and determining the down-stream process efficiency, hence it is a prerequisite for process improvement. Relevant process parameters have been addressed on a laboratory (model water) and pilot plant (reservoir water) scale, including the influence of coagulant (FeCl3) dose, coagulation pH, flocculation time, energy input (G value), single stage versus tapered flocculation and application of cationic polymer as coagulant aid. The process efficiency was assessed as a function of the preceeding agglomeration (coagulation/flocculation) phase and the obtained particle (floc) size distributions. The particle (floc) size - density relationship was addressed in the context of more accurate process kinetic modelling.


2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hassan Mahmoodian ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Amin ◽  
Mohammad Reza Shahmansouri ◽  
Mohammad Ghasemian

Recovering spent filter backwash water is currently receiving a great deal of attention. EPA published the Filter Backwash-Recycling Rule (FBRR) in 2001. Recycle stream may contain significant concentration of pathogens, such as, cryptosporidium and Giardia. Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) was investigated as a possible technology alternative to simple or advanced sedimentation technology. In this study with using a pilot of DAF effluent turbidities of >20NTU could be easily obtained, when raw water turbidities were in excess of 800 NTU. Chemical requirements were low with only a single low dose of polyaluminium chloride (PACl) required binding the floc particles to form a solids matrix suitable for flotation. The results showed that the efficiency of continuous flow DAF with using PACl as coagulant for removal of Turbidity, COD, HPC, SS and MPN were 97, 72, 75, 95 and 100 percent, respectively. The statistical analyses indicated that the optimum saturation pressure is 4-5 atm, during recycle rate of 20-25 percent. The removal efficiencies of turbidity and bacteria in coagulation with sedimentation were reported up to 70 and 65 percent, while in this study using DAF with coagulant PACl could remove turbidity, COD, SS and bacterial up to 97,72, 95 and, 72 percent respectively.


1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
James K. Edzwald

Principles of dissolved air flotation (DAF) discussed include: bubble formation and size, bubble-particle interactions, measures of supplied air, and modeling of the reaction and clarification zones of the flotation tank. Favorable flotation conditions for bubble attachment or adhesion to particles requires a reduction in the charge of particles and production of hydrophobic particles or hydrophobic spots on particle surfaces. A conceptual model for the bubble-particle reaction zone based on the single collector collision efficiency is summarized and discussed. An alternative modeling approach is considered. Clarification or separation zone modeling is based on particle-bubble agglomerate rise velocities. The application of DAF in drinking water treatment is addressed beginning with summaries of design and operating parameters for several countries. DAF should not be considered as a separate process, but integrated into the design and operation of the overall treatment plant. This concept shows that flocculation ahead of DAF has different requirements regarding floc size and strength compared to sedimentation. The efficiency of DAF in removing particles and reducing particle loads to filters needs to be integrated into DAF plant design. The impact on filtration performance is illustrated. Finally, fundamental and applied research needs are addressed.


REAKTOR ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
I Nyoman Widiasa ◽  
A A Susanto ◽  
B Budiyono

Abstrak Mikroalga merupakan mikroorganisme fotosintetik prokariotik atau eukariotik yang dapat tumbuh dengan cepat. Pemanfaatan mikroalga tidak hanya berorientasi sebagai pakan alami untuk akuakultur, tetapi terus berkembang untuk bahan baku produksi pakan ternak, pigmen warna, bahan farmasi (β-carotene, antibiotik, asam lemak omega-3), bahan kosmetik, pupuk organik, dan biofuel (biodiesel, bioetanol, biogas, dan biohidrogen. Studi ini bertujuan untuk menginvestigasi kombinasi ultrafiltrasi (UF) – dissolved air flotation (DAF) untuk pemekatan mikroalga skala laboratorium. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penurunan fluks membran UF secara tajam sebagai akibat dari deposisi sel mikroalga terjadi pada 20 menit pertama proses filtrasi. Backwash pada interval 20 menit selama 10 detik dengan tekanan 1 bar memberikan pengendalian fouling yang efektif dalam nilai kestabilan fluks yang layak. Membran UF yang digunakan dapat memberikan selektivitas pemisahan biomassa mikroalga ~ 100%. Kualitas permeat sangat stabil, yaitu kekeruhan < 0,5 NTU, kandungan organik < 10 mg/L, dan warna < 10 PCU. Lebih lanjut, pemekatan retentat membran dengan DAF pada tekanan saturasi 6 bar dapat menghasilkan pasta mikroalga dengan konsentrasi 20 g/L. Koagulan PAC perlu ditambahkan kedalam umpan DAF dengan dosis 1,3–1,6 mg PAC/mg padatan tersuspensi.   Kata Kunci: ultrafiltrasi; dissolved air flotation; pemanenan mikroalga; pemekatan mikroalga   Abstract COMBINATION OF Ultrafiltration and Dissolved Air Flotation for Microalgae CONCENTRATION. Microalgae is a prokaryotic photosynthetic microorganism or eukaryotic microorganism  that proliferate rapidly. Cultivation of the microalgae is not only oriented  as natural food for aquacultures, but also developed  for animal food, color pigment, pharmaceutical raw material (β-carotene, antibiotic, fatty acid omega-3), cosmetic raw material, organic fertilizer, and biofuels (biodiesel, bioethanol, biogas, and biohydrogen. This study is aimed to investigate the potential of combination of ultrafiltration (UF) and dissolved air flotation  (DAF) for concentration of microalgae in laboratory scale. The experimental results showed that fluxes of the UF membrane decreased sharply due to deposition of microalgae biomass during first 20 minutes of filtration. Periodically backwash using the UF permeate (backwash  interval = 20 minutes;  backwash duration = 10 seconds;  backwash pressure = 1 bar) gave an effective fouling control to maintain reasonable stable fluxes. In addition,  the UF membrane gave separation of microalgae biomass ~ 100%. Permeate quality is strongly stable in which turbidity < 0.5 NTU, organic content < 10 mg/L, and color < 10 PCU.  Moreover, concentration of the UF retentate by DAF under saturation pressure of 6 bars was able to produced microalgae feedstock having 20 g/L dry microalgae. PAC is required for DAF feed with dosage of 1.3–1.6 mg PAC/mg suspended solids.


2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 239-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beata Gorczyca ◽  
Paul Klassen

Abstract Sizes of flocs were analyzed to identify characteristics of the particle size distribution optimal for separation by dissolved air flotation (DAF). Optical microscopes and two particle counters were used for floc sizing. A Brightwell Technologies particle counter was found to provide floc size measurements in agreement with improved microscopic methods. The particle counter provided distribution of flocs with sizes down to 1 micron (µm). This allowed for inclusion of flocs with size ranging from 5 to 1 µm, which were excluded from the analyses in the earlier study. Four alum dosages were applied: 15, 25, 40, and 60 mg/L. The turbidity and colour of the DAF effluent at alum dosages of 25, 40, and 60 mg/L were very similar. However, the analysis of the flocs in the treated effluent revealed that, at the alum dose of 60 mg/L, particle removal was the best. Therefore, this dosage was selected as optimal for the solid/liquid separation process. The average size of coagulation flocs at 60 mg/L was approximately 30 µm, and was equal to the estimated size of air bubbles produced by the saturator. Therefore, this study confirms the finding of the earlier work claiming that the optimum DAF performance is attained when the mean floc size and the bubble size are equal. Similar size of floc and bubble indicates that flocs act predominantly as nuclei for bubble formation. This finding contributes to the knowledge of mechanisms of floc air bubble attachment in DAF.


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