ENE-302: Water Treatment and

ENE-
Distribution

Chapter 5

Flotation

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 Flotation
Solid
Objective
Water
The same as for settling except that the particles rise at the
free surface of the water from which they are removed
Principle
If particle » water  high settling velocity  easy for separation
(as in the Grit Chamber).
g
vs   s   L .d p2
18 
If particle  water  very small vs  higher detention time & the
capital cost   require using flocculation to increase the
particle size.
In most of the organic wastes, particle  water the specific gravity
of the suspended solids  water,  the use of Flotation Process
<> Sedimentation
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 Process Description
How to float the suspended solids:
Creation of compressed air
Solid
SS gets attached to the air bubbles Air
SS decreases < water.
Dispersed air flotation (Bubble size of 0.1 - 1 mm)
Directly blowing compressed air
Bubbles formed are relatively large;
Cause turbulence which might break flocs;
Mainly used for mineral treatment.
Vacuum Floatation
Saturate the w.water with air (at aeration tank/ suction side of pump)
Apply a vacuum in a air tight container
Causes dissolved air to come out as minute bubbles
Bubbles & the attached particles rise to the surface  scum blanket
Not very popular due to practical difficulties in vacuum systems
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 Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF)
Principle
Supersaturation of air in water (2 - 4 atm) pressure
Bubble size: 20 - 100 m
1. Expose water to air pressure (Saturation of air in water
and proportional to applied pressure).
2.  the saturation conc. encouraging solution of air
3. Amount of dissolved air will increase.
4. Pressure is released to atmospheric pressure
5. Excess air will escape in the form of bubbles

Basic components of a DAF Unit:

Pressurizing pump compress
air
Air injection facilities
Retention tank/pressure vessel-air liquid contact; inlet
Pressure reducing value
Flotation tank.
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 Operation modes
1. Full Flow Mode:
Advantages:
Advantages:
All the water is exposed to air pressure
Bubble formation; pressure vessel
Moderate pressure can be used.
Disadvantages::
Disadvantages
Flocculation which might be destroyed by the turbulence.
Clogging of nozzles.
2. Recycle Flotation
Flotation::
Advantages:
Advantages:
10 - 25% clarified effluent is recycled through pressure vessel;
Flocculation process is not disturbed;
As clear water is pumped, diffuser blockage are reduced.
Disadvantages::
Disadvantages
Size of the flotation unit must be higher because, Total flow =
Flow of wastewater and Flow of Recycle water. 5
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 Air Floatation System without Recycle
Influent feed Line Subnatant
Thickened Skimmer
effluent
Overflow
Chemicals

Floatation Tank

Chemical
feed pump
Settled solids
draw off

Chemical
mix tank
Compressed
Air

Pressurizing
pump

Pressure tank

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 Air Floatation System with Recycle
Subnatant
Thickened Skimmer
effluent
Overflow
Mixing

Floatation Tank

Influent feed Line

Settled solids
Chemicals draw off Recycled
effluent
Pressure
control Compressed
valve Air

Pressurizing
pump

Auxiliary recycle
Chemical Chemical connection
mix tank feed pump
(primary tank)

Pressure tank 7
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 DAF
Application::
Application
Clarification/Sedimentation Unit: Detention time  30 minutes.
Sludge thickening: High detention time.
Separation of grease, oil, fibres and other low density solids.
Thickening of the sludge from the Activated Sludge Process.
Thickening of flocculated chemical sludge.
Minerals (ore).
Operation Parameters
Parameters::
Composition and nature of the particles.
Size of the particles.
Surface tension.
Flow velocity/Liquid currents.
Removal of floats.
Additives.
Air supply.
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 Sludge Thickener by Flotation
Flotatation unit

Saturation
vessel

compressed air
Polymer

Sludge to be
Pressure control valve thickened
Thickened sludge

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 Design Parameters
System depends primarily on the ratio of volume of air to mass of
solids (A/S)
A kg / day of air released by depressurization

S kg / day of solids in influent
Pressure
A/S varies with the type of suspension release valve
& must be determined experimentally High
pressure air
source
A/S
Pressure
chamber
Petcock
Typical A/S in thickening of
0.05 sludge = 0.005 –0.06

0.02

0.01 Graduated
cylinder
mg/L of SS in influent 10
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 Design Parameters

A  R.C s (f .P  1)
A = Quantity of air released (kg/h)
R = Pressurized recycle flow (m3/h)
Cs =Gas saturation at atmospheric conditions (kg/m3)
f = Fraction of saturation of air dissolved in the pressurized system
(0.5 - 0.8)
P = Pressure in the retention tank (atmosphere)

S  Q.X o
S = Solids flow rate (kg/h)
Q = Influent flow rate (m3/h)
Xo = Influent suspended solids (kg/m3)

For full flow pressurized mode:

A C S (f .P  1)

S Xo
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 Design Parameters
For full flow pressurized mode:

A C S (f .P  1)

S Xo
Corresponding equation for pressured recycle:

A R .C S (f .P  1)

S Q .X o
CS = 1.3 Sa
1.3 = Weight of 1mL of air
Sa = Air solubility (mL/L)

Sa (mL/L ) 29.2 22.8 18.7 15.7

Temperature °C 0 10 20 30
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