3D TRASAR™ Technology for DAF Provides Advanced Chemical Control and Operational Improvements in Dissolved Air Flotation Systems

Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) is one of the first unit operations in primary wastewater treatment and is designed to separate suspended solids. In food and beverage applications where clean in place (CIP) is common, large swings in wastewater solids loading, charge demand and pH can occur frequently. Demand for coagulants and flocculants added to aid in DAF solid/liquid separation varies with wastewater quality. As a result, operators can struggle to manually adjust chemical dosages, often reacting after an upset in the effluent quality has happened. Overfeeding chemicals to manage loading swings is inefficient and can cause poor effluent quality due to the nonlinear response of coagulants and flocculants. An automated system is presented and reviewed, measuring DAF water quality in real time and using a unique algorithm to control chemical dosing and maintain constant DAF effluent quality. Examples are provided, illustrating how 3D TRASAR Technology for DAF significantly reduces effluent water variability, enables water re-use, minimizes the risk of effluent surcharges and the need for manual operator intervention.