TEPZZ 

796_78A_T
(19)

(11) EP 2 796 178 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication: (51) Int Cl.:

29.10.2014 Bulletin 2014/44 B01D 21/00 (2006.01) B03D 1/14 (2006.01)

(21) Application number: 14165628.0

(22) Date of filing: 23.04.2014

(84) Designated Contracting States: (72) Inventors:

AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB • Mane, Pranay P.
GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO Lithia, FL Florida 33547 (US)
PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR • Doan, Lan Huong
Designated Extension States: Brandon, FL Florida 33511 (US)
BA ME • Kim, Jun
Brandon, FL Florida 33511 (US)
(30) Priority: 24.04.2013 US 201313869129 • Roh, Hyung Keun
Tampa, FL Florida 33647 (US)
(71) Applicant: Doosan Heavy Industries &
Construction Co., Ltd. (74) Representative: Ter Meer Steinmeister & Partner
Seongsan-gu Patentanwälte
Changwon, Gyeongnam 642-792 (KR) Mauerkircherstrasse 45
81679 München (DE)

(54) Dissolved air flotation device for liquid clarification

(57) Disclosed is a dissolved air flotation ("DAF") de- tion channel with a series of intake apertures is connected
vice. The DAF device creates an elongated separation to the header. In another embodiment, intake apertures
zone to permit agglomerated impurities to be more ef- are located along the header. In either embodiment, the
fectively removed from the influent. A header is included header reduces the rate at which the effluent is collected
at the lower extent of the separation zone to collect the and, thereby, reduces the inadvertent collection of ag-
clarified effluent. In one possible embodiment, a collec- glomerated impurities.
EP 2 796 178 A1

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)

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Description This, in turn, allows for a small upstream load and the
recycling, by simple gravity, of the floating particles col-
TECHNICAL FIELD lected at the surface of the flotation equipment.
[0007] A further clarification system is disclosed in U.S.
[0001] This invention relates to a dissolved air flotation 5 Pat. App. 2009/0211974 to Bonnelye. Bonnelye ’974 dis-
(DAF) device for the clarification of water or other liquids closes a water clarifying device including a flotation zone,
as applicable. More particularly the present invention re- a membrane-based filtering zone, and an extracting
lates to a DAF device that employs a sub-natant collec- means. The membranes are fed with floated water from
tion header for the withdrawal of clarified effluent. down upwards in both the filtering phase and the back-
[0002] A typical dissolved air flotation device is illus- 10 washing phase.
trated in FIG. 1. This system comprises of an inlet cham- [0008] There are significant drawbacks to know clari-
ber, a contact zone, a separation zone, and an effluent fication systems to be implemented at high loading rates,
chamber. The contact zone further includes a micro-bub- such as the one illustrated in FIG. 1. Namely, the path
ble injection installation near the device floor. The micro- between the contact zone and the effluent collection zone
bubble injection installation typically consists of micro- 15 is often too short to ensure the removal of all of the ag-
bubble generating nozzles installed on a nozzle header. glomerated impurities. As illustrated in the system of FIG.
The nozzle header receives pressurized liquid saturated 1, the path between the contact and effluent zones can
with air and distributes it evenly to each nozzle. As the be a straight line thereby reducing the time for which the
liquid passes the nozzles, micro-bubbles are generated. liquid containing micro-bubbles is retained in the sepa-
Furthermore, a micro-bubble injection installation may 20 ration zone. The result of which is the lowermost agglom-
consist of multiple nozzle headers. erated particles receive insufficient flotation time and are
[0003] The inlet zone equalizes the incoming flow. The thus prevented from floating to the top for removal at the
micro-bubbles injected at the bottom of the contact zone sludge collection chamber. As a result, bubble-particle
attach to the suspended particulates. A well designed agglomerates with lower flotation velocities are often car-
contact zone promotes the collision of micro-bubbles with 25 ried along with the flow and delivered into the effluent
the suspended particles. The inclination of the inlet baffle zone. Another drawback concerns the acceleration of
increases the contact zone area from bottom to top. The flow at the inlet of the effluent zone. This acceleration is
increase in contact zone area reduces the flow velocity often too great and results in the agglomerated particles
and therefore turbulence. The particles with one or more being dragged into the effluent zone. Both of these draw-
micro-bubbles attached, rise to the surface as the liquid 30 backs result in impurities being contained within the ef-
flows to the separation zone. The rise of particulates to fluent.
the surface is accomplished by enhancing the buoyancy [0009] The DAF devices of the present disclosure seek
via attachment of one or more micro-bubbles. The liquid to overcome these drawback by both increasing the path-
devoid of suspended particulates and other impurities is way the agglomerated particles must travel within the
removed from the bottom of the separation zone. 35 separation zone - thus permitting additional time for bub-
[0004] The depth of dissolved air flotation installations ble-particle agglomerates with lower flotation velocities
operating at high surface loading rates is known to be to rise to surface and separate, and decreasing the drag
typically more than 4.0 m. Increased depth is known to at the entrance to the effluent zone. The result is an in-
provide process advantage in terms of clarification effi- crease in agglomerated particles that are removed via
ciency by altering the flow path in the separation zone. 40 the sludge collection chamber and a corresponding de-
However, increased depth also results in high construc- crease in impurities found within the effluent. There also
tion costs and maintenance costs. exists a need in the art for a dissolved air flotation instal-
[0005] An example of a dissolved air flotation system lation capable of operating at high loading rates that does
is illustrated in U.S. Pat. 3,175,687 to Jones. Jones ’687 not require excessive depth to improve the clarification
illustrates a flotation tank within which flotation is carried 45 efficiency. Further, there is also a need in the art for a
out to form a layer of sludge or float on top of the water dissolved air flotation system that is more cost effective
within the tank. Aerated water is delivered to the bottom and the design is capable of being easily incorporated in
of the tank via a plurality of admission fittings that are the existing conventional installations to increase the
disposed lengthwise along the bottom of the tank. A valve clarification capacity. The present invention is aimed at
is associated with each admission fitting to selectively 50 fulfilling these and other needs.
render the fitting operable or inoperable.
[0006] Yet another example of a clarification system is SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
disclosed in U.S. Pat. 5,047,149 to Vion. Vion ’149 dis-
closes an apparatus for the clarification of liquids such [0010] One of the advantages of the present invention
as water. The apparatus includes a feature whereby flo- 55 is that it provides dissolved air flotation with high clarifi-
tation equipment is placed above an assembly for the cation rates.
pretreatment of the liquid. This allows a hydraulic balance [0011] It is a further advantage of the invention is that
to be brought to the various constitutes of the apparatus. it greatly minimizes and/or eliminates the passage of mi-

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cro-bubbles into the effluent by enhancing the flow pat- [0026] Preferably, the collection and discharge chan-
tern in the reactor. nels are arranged perpendicular to the header.
[0012] Yet another advantage of the present invention [0027] Preferably, the total volumetric intake of the col-
is that it allows for high rates of clarification without un- lection channels is equal to the total volumetric output of
necessarily increasing the depth of the water within the 5 the discharge channels.
device. [0028] Preferably, the discharge channel is not in the
[0013] Still yet another advantage is realized by utiliz- same plane or level as the collection channels or the
ing a header fitted with collection channels to remove the header.
effluent, thereby distributing the intake area over a larger [0029] Preferably, at least one of the header, the col-
region and thus reducing the drag resulting from fluid flow 10 lection channels, or discharge channels have a weep
and therefore the amount of agglomerated particles and hole for releasing entrapped air.
bubbles that are introduced into the effluent. [0030] Preferably, the apertures of the collection chan-
[0014] Another advantage is realized by providing a nels and/or discharge channels have a screen at their
dissolved air flotation system that can be inexpensively entrance to avoid the entrance of rough impurities.
installed and maintained and that can be retrofitted into 15 [0031] The object is solved by a method applying the
existing water treatment facilities. DAF as defined above for clarifying liquids including the
[0015] The object is solved by the features of the in- steps of: receiving a volume of influent of a liquid at an
dependent claim. Further advantageous embodiments influent zone; providing bubbles in a contact zone being
are provided in the dependent claims. in communication with the influent zone, wherein the bub-
[0016] Preferably a DAF device comprising: an influent 20 bles contacting and agglomerating with impurities in the
zone for receiving a volume of influent; a contact zone in influent to form agglomerated particles; removing the ag-
communication with the influent zone. Bubbles are glomerated particles in a separation zone being in com-
present or introduced within the contact zone. Thus, the munication with the contact zone to form a clarified efflu-
bubbles contact and agglomerate with the impurities in ent, wherein the separation zone includes a header for
the influent to form agglomerated particles. A separation 25 collecting the clarified effluent and delivering the clarified
zone is in communication with the contact zone, wherein effluent to an effluent zone.
the agglomerated particles being removed within the sep- [0032] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the
aration zone to form a clarified effluent. A header is pro- more pertinent and important features of the present in-
vided for collecting the clarified effluent in the separation vention in order that the detailed description of the inven-
zone. 30 tion that follows may be better understood so that the
[0017] Preferably, the header may be located at an present contribution to the art can be more fully appreci-
lower extent of the separation zone. ated. Additional features of the invention will be described
[0018] Preferably, the header comprises of a series of hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the
collection channels. The collection channels may have invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the
a series of apertures, preferably arranged along a lower 35 art that the conception and the specific embodiment dis-
extent of the channel. The collection channels are pro- closed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or
vided to collect effluent and deliver the effluent into the designing other structures for carrying out the same pur-
header. poses of the present invention. It should also be realized
[0019] In a further preferred embodiment the apertures by those skilled in the art that such equivalent construc-
may be located an angle to the vertical and/or they may 40 tions do not depart from the scope of the invention as set
vary in size along the length of the collection channel. forth in the appended claims.
[0020] In a further preferred embodiment the header
may comprises a series of discharge channels for deliv- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
ering the effluent from the header to the effluent zone.
[0021] Preferably, there are more collection channels 45 [0033] For a more complete understanding of the
than discharge channels. present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now
[0022] Preferably, the diameter of the discharge chan- made to the following descriptions, taken in conjunction
nels is greater than the diameter of the collection chan- with the accompanying drawings, in which:
nels.
[0023] In a further preferred embodiment the DAF may 50 FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a prior art dissolved
include a collection chamber positioned adjacent to an air flotation device.
upper extent of separation zone. FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the dissolved air
[0024] In a further preferred embodiment an effluent flotation device of the present invention.
zone is in fluid communication with the header and /or FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dissolved air flo-
discharge channels. 55 tation device of the present invention.
[0025] Preferably, the header has opposed ends, FIG. 4 is a detailed bottom plan view of the effluent
which are opened ends, wherein effluent zones are con- collection and discharge channels depicted in FIG. 3.
nected to the opposed, opened ends of the header. FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative em-

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bodiment of the present invention. is preferably inclined. The inclination of the inlet baffle
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the em- increases the contact zone area from bottom to top. The
bodiment depicted in FIG. 5. increase in contact zone area reduces the flow velocity
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative em- and therefore turbulence.
bodiment of the present invention. 5 [0038] From contact zone 24, the agglomerated parti-
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative em- cles travel into separation zone 26 where they raise to
bodiment of the present invention. the upper extent of separation zone 26. Collection cham-
FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the em- ber 28 is positioned adjacent the upper extent of sepa-
bodiment depicted in FIG. 8. ration zone 26. The agglomerated particles are gathered
10 into the collection chamber as sludge. Once the impuri-
[0034] Similar reference characters refer to similar ties are removed from the influent, the remaining effluent
parts throughout the several views of the drawings. flows downwardly to the lower extent of separation zone
26.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0039] The effluent is removed from the DAF device
15 by way of a header 36. In the embodiment depicted in
[0035] The present disclosure relates to improvements FIG. 2, header 36 includes a series of interconnected
in dissolved air flotation ("DAF"). The disclosed DAF de- collection and discharge channels (38 and 42). Both
vice increases the path length of bubble-particle agglom- header 36 and the collection and discharge channels (38
erates must travel within the separation zone. This path and 42) are positioned within the lower extent of sepa-
permits agglomerated impurities to be more effectively 20 ration zone 26. In a preferred by non-limiting example,
removed from the influent. A header is included at the the collection and discharge channels (38 and 42) are
lower extent of the separation zone to collect the clarified perpendicular to header 36. Each of the collection chan-
effluent. In one possible embodiment, a collection chan- nels 38 includes a series of intake apertures 44. Intake
nel with a series of intake apertures is connected to the apertures 44 are arrayed on the bottom of a respective
header. In another embodiment, intake apertures are lo- 25 collection channel 38 and therefore face the bottom of
cated along the header. In either embodiment, the header separation zone 26 and the DAF device 20. The effluent
alters the flow pattern in the separation zone, thereby, travels to the very bottom of separation zone 26 before
reduces the inadvertent collection of agglomerated im- entering the intake apertures 44 within collection chan-
purities. The various details of the present invention, and nels 38. The effluent is then delivered into header 36. In
the manner in which they interrelate, are described in 30 accordance with the invention, the suction at the outer
greater detail hereinafter. end of the collection channel 38 (the end opposite header
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the 36) is less than the suction at the inner end of the collec-
DAF device 20 of the present invention. Device 20 in- tion channel 38 (the end adjacent header 36). This pres-
cludes an influent zone 22, a contact zone 24, a separa- sure differential operates to further the path of the ag-
tion zone 26, a sludge collection chamber 28, and an 35 glomerated particles and allows the agglomerated parti-
effluent zone 32. All of the zones are in fluid communi- cles to rise to the collection chamber 28.
cation with one another and the collection chamber. In- [0040] Once within header 36, the effluent is collected
fluent zone 22 includes an inlet to receive a volume of and routed to one of the discharge channels 42. As illus-
fluid to be clarified. This fluid is most typically water. The trated in FIGS. 3-4, there are preferably fewer discharge
water can be purified to create, for example, drinking wa- 40 channels 42 but they have an increased diameter. The
ter. The processing of other fluids, and for other purpos- total volumetric output of the discharge channels 42
es, is within the scope of the present invention. DAF de- should equal the volumetric input of the collection chan-
vice 20 substantially removes the impurities from the in- nels 38. Effluent zone 32 is in fluid communication with
fluent to form sludge and a volume of clarified effluent. each of the discharge channels 42. Accordingly, effluent
[0037] Contact zone 24 is defined by upper and lower 45 leaving header 36 is delivered to effluent zone 32 by way
extents. A series of pressure release nozzles 34 are po- of the discharge channels 42. This clarified fluid can then
sitioned at the lower extent. Nozzle header 34 receives be passed to additional processing steps.
pressurized liquid saturated with air and distributes it [0041] Various alternative embodiments are depicted
evenly to each nozzle. In the alternative, nozzles 34 may in FIGS. 5-9. In FIG. 9, the collection and discharge chan-
be connected to a pressurized source of air. In either 50 nels (38 and 42) have been eliminated. Additionally, the
event, as the liquid or air passes the nozzles, micro-bub- intake apertures 44 are formed along the bottom of head-
bles are generated. Ideally, nozzles 34 are sized such er 36 and the opposite ends of header 36 are opened.
that very fine bubbles are created. Once formed, the Thus, effluent is delivered directly into header 36. The
buoyancy of the bubbles carries them to the top of DAF effluent then exits through the opposite, opened ends of
device 20. While in contact zone 24, the bubbles contact 55 the header 36 as noted in FIG. 6. Effluent zones 32 are,
and agglomerating with the impurities in the influent. This therefore, formed on either side of the device.
results in larger agglomerated particles that are nonethe- [0042] FIG. 7 is a further alternative embodiment which
less buoyant. The inlet baffle to the separation zone 26 is the same in most respects as the primary embodiment.

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However, header 36 includes discharge channels 42 but of apertures (44) to collect effluent and deliver the
no collection channels 38. The effluent is delivered into effluent into the header (36).
header 36 via intake apertures 44 formed along the bot-
tom of header 36. Apertures 44 can be formed as open- 3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the aper-
ings, holes, or continuous slits (lengthwise or laterally). 5 tures (44) can be at an angle to the vertical and/or
Discharge channels 42 then route the collected effluent vary in size along the length of the collection channel
into effluent zone 32. This embodiment eliminates the (38).
need for separate collection channels 38 as well as side
mounted effluent zones 32. 4. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding
[0043] In FIG. 8, header 36 includes collection chan- 10 claims, wherein the header (36) further comprises a
nels 38 but no discharge channels 42. Collection chan- series of discharge channels (42) for delivering the
nels 38 are the same as those described in connection effluent from the header (36) to the effluent zone.
with the preferred embodiment. Namely, collection chan-
nels 38 include a number of intake apertures 44 formed 5. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding
along their bottom surface. These intake apertures 44 15 claims, wherein there are more collection channels
collect effluent, which is then delivered to header 36 via (38) than discharge channels (44).
the respective collection channels 38. As most clearly
illustrated in FIG. 9, the collected effluent is then delivered 6. The device as claimed in claims 4 or 5, wherein the
to opposing effluent zones via the opposite, opened ends diameter of the discharge channels (44) is greater
of header 36. 20 than the diameter of the collection channels (38).
[0044] The present disclosure includes that contained
in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing 7. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding
description. Although this invention has been described claims, wherein the header (36) has opposed and
in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, opened ends, wherein effluent zones (32) are con-
it is understood that the present disclosure of the pre- 25 nected to the opposed, opened ends of the header
ferred form has been made only by way of example and (36).
that numerous changes in the details of construction and
the combination and arrangement of parts may be re- 8. The device as claimed in any one of the claims 4-7,
sorted to without departing from the scope of the inven- wherein the collection and discharge channels (38,
tion. 30 42) are perpendicular to the header (36).

9. The device as claimed in any one of the claims 4-8,

Claims wherein the total volumetric intake of the collection
channels (38) is equal to the total volumetric output
1. A dissolved air flotation device comprising: 35 of the discharge channels (42).

an influent zone (22) for receiving a volume of 10. The device as claimed in any one of the claims 4-9,
influent; wherein the discharge channel (42) is not in the same
a contact zone (24) in communication with the plane as the collection channels (38) or the header
influent zone (22), wherein bubbles are present 40 (36).
within the contact zone (22), wherein the bub-
bles contacting and agglomerating with the im- 11. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding
purities in the influent to form agglomerated par- claims, wherein at least one of the header (36), the
ticles; collection channels (38), or discharge channels (42)
a separation zone (26) in communication with 45 have weep holes for releasing entrapped air.
the contact zone (24), wherein the agglomerat-
ed particles being removed within the separation 12. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding
zone (26) to form a clarified effluent; claims, wherein the apertures (44) have a screen at
a header (36) for collecting the clarified effluent the entrance.
in the separation zone (26); and 50
an effluent zone (32) in fluid communication with 13. Method for clarifying liquid using a dissolved air flo-
the header (36) wherein the effluent from the tation device, comprising the steps of:
header (36) being delivered into the effluent
zone (32). receiving a volume of influent at an influent zone
55 (22);
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the header providing bubbles in a contact zone (22) being
(36) further comprises of a series of collection chan- in communication with the influent zone (22),
nels (38), the collection channels (38) having a series wherein the bubbles contacting and agglomer-

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ating with impurities in the influent to form ag-

glomerated particles;
removing the agglomerated particles in a sepa-
ration zone (26) being in communication with
the contact zone (24) to form a clarified effluent, 5
wherein the separation zone (26) includes a
header (36) at the lower extent of the separation
zone (26) for collecting the clarified effluent,
delivering the clarified effluent from the header
(36) to an effluent zone (32). 10

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REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European
patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be
excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description

• US 3175687 A, Jones. Jones ’687 [0005] • US 20090211974 A, Bonnelye. Bonnelye ’974 [0007]
• US 5047149 A, Vion. Vion ’149 [0006]

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