Can an Air Flotation Clarifier remove suspended solids

Effectiveness of Air Flotation Clarifiers

• Highly effective at removing suspended solids from water.
• Key tool in many water and wastewater treatment processes.
• Unique mechanism addresses particles that are too light to settle or too small for basic filtration.

Working Mechanism

• Introduces tiny air bubbles into water containing suspended solids.
• Bubbles attach to solid particles, enhanced by coagulants or flocculants.
• Bubbles lift particles upward, forming a floating layer (scum) on the surface.
• Scum is skimmed off, leaving water with significantly reduced solids.

Advantages Over Sedimentation

• Handles a wide range of particle types and sizes.
• Unlike sedimentation, it actively lifts solids rather than relying on gravity.
• Effectively removes lightweight or low-density particles.
• Breaks up stability of dispersed particles through bubble attachment.

Factors Affecting Efficiency

• Bubble size: Smaller bubbles offer more surface area for attachment.
• Type and dosage of coagulants/flocculants used.
• Flow rate of water through the clarifier.
• When optimized, achieves high levels of solids removal.