Hoffland Environmental, Inc. (HEI) dissolved air flotation systems (DAF) efficiently separate total suspended solids (TSS) and fats, oils, and grease (FOG) particles from industrial effluents. The system generates air bubbles ranging from molecular to micro bubbles. Air is dissolved in the treated water by the addition of compressed air to a pressurized stream of recycled effluent. The pressurized water then passes through a pressure relief valve reducing the pressure to atmospheric. This depressurized water is then mixed with the conditioned influent. When the pressure is reduced the super-saturated air begins to precipitate from solution. The molecules of air affix themselves or seed to the flocculated solids. The precipitated molecules coalesce into a micro bubble. The bubble with the suspended solids and/or minute oil droplets are buoyant and float to the surface. This simple process combined with optimum conditioning chemistry and properly designed equipment provides a sophisticated solids and FOG separation system.

HEI has performed extensive laboratory evaluation on the size of the air bubble and effective liquid-solid separation. The data overwhelming demonstrate that the smaller the air bubble, the more efficient the separation. By comparison, the effluent from an induced air flotation system (IAF) typically contains twice as much TSS and FOG as the effluent from a DAF. In the few applications where the reduced separation of the IAF is satisfactory, HEI is able to provide induced air flotation as an alternative.

Besides dissolving air into recycle water, HEI’s air dissolve tank also separates and vents excessive macro bubbles from the system subsequently preventing surface disturbance in the DAF tank. Only the pressurized water saturated with dissolved air, not bubbles, is permitted to be commingled with the treated wastewater. Samples from the air dissolve tank have a milky appearance from the microscopic bubble. This HEI dissolved air system is much more effective than an induced air system.

The conditioned and flocculated influent is conveyed to the center distribution well through a large mixing tube (1). The pressurized recycle water saturated with air is added to the treated water through HEI’s proprietary mixing nozzle which induces mild turbulence throughout the mixing tube (2). The pressure of the recycle water is reduced to atmospheric at the pressure control valve (9). HEI's mixing nozzle uniformly blends the air saturated recycled water with the conditioned influent as the dissolved air precipitates from solution.

The depressurized recycle water with the conditioned influent flows into the central distribution/mixing well (3). The distribution chamber is designed to retain the mixture and provide gentle hydraulically mixing for a short commingling period. Adequate time is permitted for the precipitated air molecules to seed the suspended solids and agglomerate to produce buoyancy. Other micro-bubbles get trapped inside the pores of the flocs, which certainly would not happen with larger bubbles. The wastewater flows out near the top of the mixing well through distribution orifices to uniformly distribute the treated water throughout the DAF cell.

Heavy solids, if any, settle on the bottom of the DAF tank. A bottom rake drive (4) prohibits solids from rat-holing (which is a common problem with cone-bottom tanks without rakes) by continually moving the collected solids to a center outlet. Heavy solids removal is controlled by valve #12 and may be either automatically or manually initiated. A surface skimmer moves the buoyant solids that float over a beach weir (5). The float then slides down the inclined floor of the trough to the outside collection tank (10).

The flow rate dramatically slows as it radically moves from the center of the DAF cell to its circumference. Adequate time is provided for the buoyant suspended solids to rise to the surface, forming a float or scum blanket, as the clarified liquid moves radically downward to the outlet baffle. The treated water flows under the outlet baffle (6), up through exit plenum and over the flow equalizing launder weir.

The treated water flows over the launder ring, to the overflow weir, and then to the clear well (7). A predetermined portion of the treated water is recycled and the remainder gravity flows to the industrial drain or to further treatment (11).

A portion of the treated water is utilized to provide the media to deliver the dissolved air to the DAF by pumping into a pressure tank (8) with compressed air at 75 psig. Drawing air into a pump suction is not recommended by HEI because the inherent pump cavitation dramatically shortens the life of the high pressure centrifugal pump. The liquid level in the pressure tank is controlled by HEI’s special level control that vents all undissolved air (large bubbles) to prevent their entering the DAF separation chamber. The pressurized water and compressed air are mixed and held long enough to create a saturated solution. The saturated recycle water passed through HEI’s unique pressure reduction valve (9) as it enters the mixing tube. When the pressure is relived, the saturated solution becomes super-saturated and the air begins to precipitate from solution.

HEI’s standard material of construction is ¼" A36 steel plate, sand-blasted to a SPC-6 finish and coated with immersion grade acid resistant epoxy paint. Stainless steel may be substituted as an option. A NEMA 12 central control panel is provided to control the entire operation.

HEI will provide the entire turn-key DAF system to include engineering, lift station, chemical conditioning, solids compaction, installation and start-up. HEI engineers and manufactures its own equipment and will provide individual items of equipment for complete turn-key plants.