DAF stands for dissolved air flotation, and it is a big part of the sewage treatment process. If a plant is looking to maximize solids recovery and ensure water is suitable to eventually reuse, DAF is a great technique for getting the job done right.
About the DAF Process
DAF wastewater is put into a specific type of tank where it is combined with another type of water that is saturated with dissolved air. This treatment system helps to separate the solids from the liquids because the sludge attaches to small bubbles that are created in the mixing process.
As the dissolved air flotation process progresses, another machine skims the top of the mixture, pushing these sludge and solids into another area.
This whole ordeal can maximize solids recovery significantly, and the operations do not even end there. Any solids that are left behind eventually sink to the bottom and are removed through another drain located there.
Where are These Tanks Used?
DAF systems are used primarily in industrial settings. For example, many food and beverage companies put them to use, as well as oil refineries and chemical plants. These organizations gain a lot from the use of these systems, as do the people who eventually use the recycled water they are pumping out.
Different types of DAFs are used in different settings. Depending on how many solids are in a particular company’s water system, their floor space, and their overall budget, a different type of tank may be utilized. It is all about finding what best suits your needs.
Why are DAFs Important?
Water treatment systems and DAFs ability to maximize solids recovery make a huge difference in our ability to recycle the water we use every single day. In fact, many water treatment products can remove anywhere between 85% to 95% of pollutants from wastewater, after which it is disinfected and put into our local waterways.
Since the year 2000, over 50 water treatment plants have put DAF to use, emphasizing the important purpose these systems have served for countless communities. The three main contaminants they remove are suspended soils, oils and greases, and biochemical oxygen demand.
The benefits of the DAF design are ones that can be appreciated for years to come. Dissolved air flotation equipment is a great contribution to the world we live in.
