Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF)

Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) is a wastewater treatment process used to remove suspended solids, oils, grease, and fine particles from industrial and municipal effluents. It works by dissolving air under pressure in water and then releasing it at atmospheric pressure in a flotation tank. As the pressure is released, fine air bubbles are formed which attach to suspended particles and cause them to float to the surface. This floating layer (sludge or scum) is then removed using a mechanical skimmer system, resulting in clearer and cleaner treated water. DAF is highly effective for treating wastewater with low-density solids that do not settle easily. It is widely used as a primary or tertiary treatment step to improve overall plant efficiency and reduce the load on biological treatment systems. Due to its high removal efficiency and compact design, DAF is commonly used in industries such as food processing, oil and gas, textile, pulp and paper, and chemical manufacturing.