Flow structures in a dissolved air flotation pilot tank and the influence on the separation of MBBR floc

The objective of the study was to find ways of improvement of the dissolved air flotation process by studying the flow structure. The paper presents experimental data on flow structures and the relation between the flow structure and the removal efficiency. Measurements have been performed in a pilot plant with an Acoustical Doppler Velocimeter. The water velocity was measured in a grid net, giving insight into the flow structure. The removal efficiency was analysed at Malmö wastewater treatment plant in Sweden. The pilot plant separated biological floc from a Kaldnes Moving Bio-Bed Reactor (MBBR). The efficiency of the separation was analysed by measurements of suspended solids in the influent and the effluent. Air content was measured inside the tank and in the re-cycle. The result showed that basically two flow structures existed; the stratified and the short-circuit flow structure. The stratified flow structure seemed correlated to efficient separation of particles while the short-circuit flow structure seemed to have a negative effect, especially when the flow structure was affected by varying the re-cycle rate, i.e. the air content. Conclusively, the flow structure seemed to be correlated to type of flow structure. However, studies with higher concentration of suspended solids for verification were suggested.