Dissolved Air Flotation

K.L.D. Baladad Met E 127

Introduction
Flotation process used to separate suspended solids, oil, grease and other dissolved particles from wastewater. Relies on microscopic air bubbles that attach to the suspended particles, increasing their buoyancy and floating them to the surface where they can be separated by skimming.

Why Dissolved Air Flotation?

DAF vs Froth Flotation DAF is for solid-liquid separation. FF is for solid solid DAF can be used to treat finer particles DAF 1-50m (w/o floc) FF 10-150m DAF has greater number of bubbles produced and bubble SA. DAF is not selective DAF vs Sedimentation DAF is cheaper Suspended particles will be slow or impossible to settle Rise rate of bubbles is greater than settling rate. (no need for large settling tanks)

DAF Process
1. Water is added into the saturator 2. Saturation of water with air. 3. Release of saturated water into the flotation cell 4. Attachment or agglomeration of bubbles with suspended particles 5. Flotation and skimming

Fig1. DAF flowsheet

Bubble Formation and Stability

Bubbles are formed by a reduction in pressure ofwater (treated wastewater recycled) presaturated with air at pressures higher than atmospheric (3 to 6 atm). The supersaturated water is forced trough needlevalves or special orifices, and clouds of bubbles, 30100 m in diameter, are produced just down-stream of the constriction (Bratby and Marais, 1977; Lazaridis et al., 1992; Rodrigues and Rubio, 2003). Bubble size can be controlled using the following equation [ Rb = Radius of bubble St = Surface tension Dp = pore diameter of sparger or diffuser Solubility of gas is proportional to pressure and inversely proportional to temperature (Henrys Law) ( ) S = quantity of gas that can be dissolved in water Sg = soluble gas concentration at 1atm ]

P = elevated system pressure Pg = atmospheric pressure

Fig2. Graph of Air dissolution vs Pressure and Temperature

DAF Mechanisms : formation of Bubble-Particle Agglomerate

Condensation Excess dissolved air precipitates out of the solution as the pressure is reduced. Gas bubble nuclei forms at the surfaces of the suspended particles

Entrapment Rising air bubble are trapped within the floc structures Provides a permanent air-solids bond

Collision As bubbles rise, they attach themselves to the suspended particles in the water by random collision

Agglomerate Flotation
After formation of bubble-particle agglomerate, the agglomerate will rise up if the net specific gravity is less than one (water is medium). The rise rate is governed by Stokes Law which is given by the equation

Factors Affecting Efficiency of DAF and Important Parameters

Coagulation Coagulants are added to destabilize the colloidal and suspended solids.

Flocculation The coagulated particles need to be further flocculated to form larger agglomerates. (floc time and agitation)

Saturation Pressure Henrys Law states that higher pressure would yield higher solubility. The greater the difference bet. Sat and atm pressure the smaller the bubbles produced.

Nature and Size of Particles Size of particles should be small enough for the microbubbles to be able to float them and prevent settling.

Dispersing Agents Surfactants, organic particles and natural surfactants can affect bubble stability. ( lowers surface tension)

Air-to-Solids Ratio Air dissolved should be adequate for specific flotation application to be performed.

Rise Rate of bubbles Important for the design of the height of the flotation chamber.

Applications of DAF
Clarification of refinery wastewater, wastewater reclamation Separation of solids and other in drinking water treatment plants

Sludge thickening and separation of biological flocs Removal and separation of ions Treatment of ultra-fine minerals Removal of organic solids, dissolved oils and VOCs (dissolved toxic organic chemicals) Removal of algae, 5-7 micron Giardia oocysts, 4-5 micron cryptosporidium oocysts, humic water treatment, algae from heavily algae laden waters etc

Potential Mining Industry Applications of DAF

Solid-liquid separation and water recirculation ( as thickeners) Removal of ions from process waters which may react with gangue particles Treatment of flotation liquid effluents fro removal of pollutants, oils, emulsions, heavy metal ions, colloidal ppts, residual organic collectors and frothers Treatment of AMD-acid mining drainage (removal of solids after neutralization) Reuse of wash water for equipment Recovery of valuable ions (Au, Pd, Ag, Pt) Fine mineral treatment, associated to coarser bubbles

References
http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Dissolved_air_flotation http://www.rgf.com/products/dissolved_air_flotation_info.htm Wang, L.K, et.al , Advanced Physicochemical Treatment Processes, vol. 4, 2006 Rodrigues R, Rubio J 2006. DAF-dissolved air flotation: Potential applications in the mining and mineral processing industry, International Journal of Mineral Processing 82 (2007): 1-13. Yaldin, T., Byers A., Dissolved Gas Flotation in Mineral Processing, Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallugy Review, vol 26, 2005 Tungpalan, D.K., Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) as a Potential Wastewater Treatment Process for Dilute Suspensions of Nickel Laterite Ore