DAF applications
Typical applications and functions of DAF systems
The purpose of this article is to show graphically and in detail the main applications of DAF equipment, as well as to analyze its function in the different stages of an industrial wastewater treatment process.
Dissolved air flotation systems have three main applications. The two most common, which are to act as pretreatment or secondary treatment, are common in most industries. The third application is their incorporation into seawater desalination plants, where their function is to protect the membranes from fouling and blockages that can compromise the productivity and efficiency of the desalination plant.
Although the application is a factor to be considered, the type and model of DAF to be installed in each case will depend on other factors, among which the flow to be treated and the pollutant load stand out.
In the following, we will analyze the different applications, or processes that can be carried out by dissolved air flotation.
- 1. Pre-treatment
- 2. Secondary clarifier for activated sludge
- 3. Secondary clarifier for MBBR
- 4. Secondary clarifier for anaerobic reactor
- 5. Seawater desalination
1. Pre-treatment
- Industrial effluent
- Coarse screening / homogenization
- SIGMA PFL
- SIGMA DAF
- Post-treatment
- Network download
- Sludge management

1
Industrial effluent
Raw industrial wastewater
- Effluent from process, industrial washing, mixed effluents, etc.
- Oil & gas, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food processing, beverages, dairy, textile, chemical, paper, etc.
2
Coarse screening / homogenization
Removal of major solids and homogenization of the flow.
- Coarse and chunks removal screens followed by an equalizing tank to homogenize the wastewater or the different discharges, allowing a constant feed in flow and composition to the rest of the treatment. the ph is adjusted at this stage. sand removal may be included.
3
SIGMA PFL
Coagulation - flocculation equipment of unique design
- Injection of coagulant, alkaline agent and flocculant in strategic order and positions
- Generation of floc formed by total suspended solids, colloidal, dissolved and precipitable dissolved solids, in addition to other contaminants associated with these solids.
- Controlled and optimized reagent dosing.
4
SIGMA DAF
Dissolved air flotation clarifier
- Microbubble injection by depressurization of water saturated with air.
- Effective separation of flocs and clarified water.
- The floated flocs are dragged by scrapers on the surface of the flotation chamber and the heavier solids fall to the collection system at the bottom of the equipment. Both solid streams leave the daf and are diverted for further treatment and management.
- Clarified water flows out of the daf, free of solids and with a constant quality.
5
Post-treatment
Post-treatment
- The clarified product can be referred for more intensive treatment
6
Network download
Network download
- The clarified water can be discharged into the sewage system if it complies with the current standard.
7
Sludge management
Sludge management
- Sludge treatment consists of dewatering by decanter and subsequent transport out of the plant or energy recovery by anaerobic digestion.
2. Secondary clarifier for activated sludge
- Biological treatment of activated sludge
- Sigma pfl or coagulation-flocculation tanks
- SIGMA DAF
- Sludge recirculation
- Sludge purge
- Treated water

1
Biological treatment of activated sludge:
Biological treatment
- Removal of organic matter and nutrients by the activity of micro-organisms. in the reaction medium, called 'mixed liquor', the biomass is suspended in the water matrix.
2
Sigma pfl or coagulation - flocculation tanks
Uniquely designed coagulation - flocculation system
- In the pfl: injection of coagulant, alkaline agent and flocculant in a strategic order and positions. if the characteristics of the mixed liquor require it, separate tanks are installed for coagulation and flocculation.
- Generation of floc formed by the biomass.
- Controlled and optimized reagent dosing. use of special coagulants and flocculants for biomass separation.
3
SIGMA DAF
Dissolved air flotation clarifier
- Microbubble injection by depressurization of water saturated with air.
- Effective separation of biomass flocs and clarified water.
- The floated flocs are dragged by scrapers on the surface of the flotation chamber and the heavier solids fall to the collection system at the bottom of the equipment. Both solid streams leave the daf and are diverted to recirculation or purge for further treatment and management.
4
Sludge recirculation
Sludge recirculation
- Recirculation of sludge to the bioreactor to maintain the proper biomass concentration inside the reactor.
5
Sludge purge
Sludge purge
- The excess biological sludge, which contains approximately 5% dry matter, is sent for treatment by dewatering, with possible anaerobic digestion for energy recovery.
6
Treated water
Treated water
- The clarified water is ready for discharge into the network or for tertiary treatment for reuse.
3. Secondary clarifier for MBBR
- Biological treatment mbbr 'moving bed biofilm reactor'.
- Sigma pfl or flocculation tanks
- SIGMA DAF
- Sludge purge
- Treated water

1
Biological treatment mbbr 'moving bed biofilm reactor':
Biological treatment
- removal of organic matter and nutrients through the activity of microorganisms. in the reaction medium, the biomass grows in the form of a "biofilm" attached to the surface of floating elements calledcarriers. this allows optimal contact between the biomass and the organic matter, as well as giving the microorganisms resistance to possible sudden changes in water composition. this reactor also has the advantage that it does not require sludge recirculation.
2
Sigma pfl or flocculation tanks
Unique flocculation system design.
- in the pfl: flocculant injection.
- generation of floc formed by the biomass.
- controlled and optimized reagent dosing. use of special flocculants for biomass separation.
3
SIGMA DAF
Dissolved air flotation clarifier
- Microbubble injection by depressurization of water saturated with air.
- Effective separation of biomass flocs and clarified water.
- The floated flocs are dragged by scrapers on the surface of the flotation chamber and the heavier solids fall to the collection system at the bottom of the equipment. Both solid streams leave the daf and are diverted to recirculation or purge for further treatment and management.
4
Sludge purge
Sludge purge
- The excess biological sludge, which contains approximately 5% dry matter, is sent for treatment by dewatering, with possible anaerobic digestion for energy recovery.
5
Treated water
Treated water
- The clarified water is ready for discharge into the network or for tertiary treatment for reuse.
4. Secondary clarifier for anaerobic reactor
- Anaerobic reactor
- Sigma pfl or coagulation - flocculation tanks
- SIGMA DAF
- Sludge recirculation
- Sludge purge
- To aerobic treatment

1
Anaerobic reactor
Biological treatment
- Transformation of organic matter into biogas by the action of microorganisms in the absence of oxygen. the anaerobic biomass consortium removes organic matter from water and transforms it into a gaseous mixture of methane and carbon dioxide known as biogas, which has potential energy value in the production of electricity and/or heat or for use in the gas grid. these reactors are operated at temperatures between 35 - 40ºc. subsequent aerobic treatment is generally required to comply with discharge regulations.
2
Sigma pfl or coagulation - flocculation tanks
Uniquely designed coagulation - flocculation system
- In the pfl: injection of coagulant, alkaline agent and flocculant in a strategic order and positions. if the characteristics of the mixed liquor require it, separate tanks are installed for coagulation and flocculation.
- Generation of floc formed by the biomass.
- Controlled and optimized reagent dosing. use of special coagulants and flocculants for biomass separation.
3
SIGMA DAF
Dissolved air flotation clarifier
- Microbubble injection by depressurization of water saturated with air.
- Effective separation of biomass flocs and clarified water.
- The floated flocs are dragged by scrapers on the surface of the flotation chamber and the heavier solids fall to the collection system at the bottom of the equipment. Both solid streams leave the daf and are diverted to recirculation or purge for further treatment and management.
4
Sludge recirculation
Sludge recirculation
- Recirculation of sludge to the bioreactor to maintain the proper biomass concentration inside the reactor....
5
Sludge purge
Sludge purge
- The excess biological sludge, which contains approximately 5% dry matter, is sent for treatment by dewatering, with possible anaerobic digestion for energy recovery.
6
To aerobic treatment
To aerobic treatment
- Clarified water may still contain amounts of dqo above the discharge limits, so further aerobic treatment is required.
5. Seawater desalination
- Sea water intake
- Sieves and sand separator
- Sigma pfl
- Sigma daf
- Multimedia filtering
- Ultrafiltration
- Reverse osmosis

1
Sea water intake
Capture devices
- The seawater is collected and stored in a homogenization tank.
2
Sieves and sand separator
Coarse and fine sieves and sand separator
- The screens allow the removal of lumps and coarse solids, the desander removes sands, which prevents the system from clogging.
3
SIGMA PFL
Coagulation - flocculation equipment of unique design
- Injection of coagulant, alkaline agent and flocculant in strategic order and positions
- Generation of floc formed by total suspended solids, colloidal, dissolved precipitable solids and algae, in addition to other contaminants associated with these solids.
- Controlled and optimized reagent dosing.
4
SIGMA DAF
Dissolved air flotation clarifier
- Microbubble injection by depressurization of water saturated with air.
- Effective separation of flocs and clarified water.
- The floated flocs are dragged by scrapers on the surface of the flotation chamber and the heavier solids fall to the collection system at the bottom of the equipment. Both solid streams leave the daf and are diverted for further treatment and management.
- Clarified water flows out of the daf, free of solids and with a constant quality.
5
Multimedia filtering
Gravity or pressure filters
- The most common filters are gravity filters (sand, anthracite, activated carbon) and pressure filters. These systems remove clays, colloidal silica, metal hydroxide precipitates, humic and fulvic acids, algae and some bacteria.
6
Ultrafiltration
Advanced membrane treatment
- This membrane technology allows 100% retention of colloids, suspended solids, precipitates, clays, humic and fulvic acids, algae and a large fraction of bacteria.
- In cases of highly loaded water, multimedia filtration and ultrafiltration are applied consecutively.
7
Reverse osmosis
Advanced membrane treatment
- This membrane technology is specially designed to remove dissolved solids from water (inorganic ions, dissolved salts, etc.), bacteria, viruses and unicellular algae.