STARK Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) System for Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment

Many industrial processes generate wastewater rich in oils, grease, fats, and light suspended solids that are difficult to remove through conventional sedimentation due to their buoyancy or slow settling rates. Effective pretreatment of such effluents is crucial for protecting downstream biological or physical-chemical treatment stages, enabling regulatory compliance, and potentially allowing for water reuse. The Stark Water STARK Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) System offers a highly efficient and widely adopted solution, specifically engineered for industrial wastewater pretreatment.

The Advanced Principle of a Dissolved Air Flotation System

Our dissolved air flotation system operates on a sophisticated physical-chemical separation principle. The process involves saturating a portion of the treated effluent (or fresh water) with air under high pressure. This supersaturated water is then released into the flotation tank at atmospheric pressure. The sudden pressure drop causes the dissolved air to come out of solution as microscopic bubbles, typically 20-80 microns in diameter. These tiny bubbles attach to suspended solids, oils, and grease particles in the wastewater, dramatically reducing their effective density and causing them to rapidly float to the surface. A skimming mechanism then removes this floated sludge (or ‘float’), leaving behind clarified water at the bottom of the tank.

This process is highly effective for contaminants that do not settle easily, including:

• Oils, Fats, and Grease (FOG)
• Suspended Solids (TSS)
• Light flocs from chemical coagulation
• Algae and other low-density particles
• Certain heavy metals (precipitated)

By efficiently removing these challenging pollutants, the DAF system prepares industrial wastewater for subsequent treatment stages, improving overall plant efficiency and reducing operational costs.

Optimized for Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment

The STARK Dissolved Air Flotation System is specifically designed for the demanding conditions of industrial wastewater pretreatment. Industrial effluents often contain high concentrations of FOG and suspended solids that can rapidly foul biological reactors, membranes, or filters. Implementing a DAF system as a primary or secondary treatment step effectively reduces the load on downstream processes, leading to:

• Improved Efficiency: Biological treatment becomes more effective with reduced FOG and TSS.
• Extended Lifespan: Protects sensitive equipment (e.g., pumps, diffusers, membranes) from clogging and abrasion.
• Reduced Footprint: DAF systems are known for their rapid separation kinetics, requiring smaller tank volumes and a more compact footprint compared to conventional sedimentation tanks.
• Sludge Thickening: The floated sludge generated by DAF is typically thicker and contains a higher solids concentration than primary sedimentation sludge, simplifying subsequent sludge dewatering and disposal.

Our DAF systems are built with robust construction materials (e.g., stainless steel or epoxy-coated carbon steel) and feature automated controls for continuous operation, including auto-skimming and sludge discharge, ensuring reliable performance in harsh industrial environments.

Reliability, Compliance, and Resource Recovery

Implementing the STARK Dissolved Air Flotation System contributes significantly to environmental compliance by efficiently reducing pollutant discharge. Beyond compliance, its ability to effectively remove FOG and other contaminants can lead to resource recovery (e.g., recoverable oils) in certain industries. This combination of high efficiency, reliable performance, and potential for resource value makes our dissolved air flotation system a sustainable and economically beneficial choice for modern industrial wastewater management.