4.1.

FLOTATION IN WATER TREATMENT

TH.F. ZABEL
W.R.C. pic.
Henley Road. Medmenham.
P.O. Box 16.
Marlow. Bucks. SL7 2HD.
U.K.

ABSTRACf. Dissolved-air flotation is a very effective solid-liquid separation process used in

water treatment. as an alternative to sedimentation, to lower the solids concentrations before
granular filtration. This enables filters to be operated more effectively and cost efficiently to
produce a filtered water quality suitable, after disinfection, for potable supply. Dissolved-air
flotation has been specifically developed for the treatment of algal laden and coloured waters. The
flocs produced by the treatment of these waters have a low settling velocity. particularly when the
water temperature is low and even when polyelectrolytes are added. Treating these waters, flotation
requires smaller tanks and produces better treated water quality, compared to sedimentation.
Dissolved-air flotation has become accepted as an alternative to sedimentation, in particular in the
Scandinavian countries and the United Kingdom. with more than 50 plants in operation or under
construction. The largest dissolved-air flotation plant currently being constructed is the 315 Ml/day
Frankley water treatment works in the UK.

1. Introduction

The application of dissolved-air flotation in water treatment has been discussed in detail previously
[1-3]. This paper provides a summary and update ofthese studies.

2. Types of Flotation Processes

Aotation can be described as a gravity separation process, in which gas bubbles attach to solid
particles to cause the apparent density of the bubble-solid agglomerates to be less than that of the
water thereby allowing the agglomerates to float to the surface. The different methods of producing
the gas bubbles give rise to different types of flotation processes which are electrolytic flotation.
dispersed-air flotation and dissolved-air flotation [1].

2.1. ELECfROLYTIC FLOTATION

The basis of electrolytic or electro-flotation is the generation of bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen in

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P. Mavros and K. A. Matis (eds.). Innovations in Flotation Technology. 431-454.
© 1992 Kluwer Academic Publishers.
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a dilute aqueous solution by passing a direct current between two electrodes [4]. Electrical power is
supplied to the electrodes at a low voltage potential of 5 to 10 VDC by means of a transformer-
rectifier. The energy required for electro-flotation depends largely on the conductivity of the liquid
and the distance between the elecrodes.
The process has the disadvantage that the electrodes need periodic replacement and fouling of the
electrodes is also a frequent problem. But as the bubble formation does not create turbulence. the
system is attractive for the removal of fragile flocs.
The bubble size generated in electro-flotation is very small and the surface loading is therefore
restricted to less than 4 m/h compared with up to 12 m/h for dissolved-air flotation.
The application of electro-flotation has been restricted mainly to sludge thickening and small
effluent treatment plants (10-20 m 3/h). The process has been reported to be suitable for very small
water treatment installations [5].

2.2. DISPERSED-AIR FLOTATION

Dispersed-air flotation has been discussed in the previous chapters. Both foam and froth dispersed-
air flotation are unsuitable for water treatment applications because the bubble size tends to be large
(>1 mm. compared to 20-1oo!Jl11 for dissolved-air flotation and electro-flotation) and either high
turbulence (froth flotation) which would break up the fragile flocs formed during the chemical
pretreatment. or undesirable chemicals (foam flotation) are required to produce the air bubbles
required for flotation.

2.3. DISSOLVED-AIRFLOTATION

In dissolved-air flotation the bubbles are produced by the reduction in pressure of a water stream
saturated with air. The three main types of dissolved-air flotation are vacuum flotation. micro-
flotation and pressure flotation.

2.3.1. Vacuum flotation. In vacuum flotation the water to be treated is saturated with air at
atmospheric pressure. A vacuum is then applied to the flotation tank releasing the air as small
bubbles. The amount of air available for flotation is limited by the achievable vacuum. This process
is being applied only in the paper industry for the recovery of fibres. Vacuum flotation has three
main disadvantages: it is a batch process. it requires sophisticated equipment to maintain the
vacuum. and the amount of air available is limited by the vacuum achievable. Therefore. it is being
replaced by pressure flotation.

2.3.2. Micro-flotation. In micro-flotation [6]. the entire volume of water is subjected to increased
pressure. This is achieved by passing the water down and up a shaft approximately 10 m deep. In
the down-flow section the water is aerated and the amount of air dissolved in the water increases
because of the increase in hydrostatic pressure. As the water rises in the up-flow section. the
hydrostatic pressure decreases and some of the dissolved air is released in the form of fine air
bubbles. The amount of air available for flotation is restricted by the depth of the shaft provided.
Application of this process has been restricted so far to a few small sewage and effluent treatment
plants.

2.3.3. Pressure flotation. Pressure flotation is currently the most widely used dissolved-air
flotation process. In pressure flotation air is dissolved in water under pressure.