What substance is effectively removed by dissolved air flotation?

Dissolved air flotation (DAF) is a water treatment process that is particularly effective at removing suspended solids, oils, and other lighter-than-water substances from water. The key mechanism involves saturating water with air under pressure and then releasing that pressure, which causes tiny bubbles to form. These bubbles attach to suspended particles, including algae, and rise to the surface, where they can be collected and removed from the water.

In the context of this process, algae are effectively removed because they often float due to their relatively light weight and surface area. When bubbles adhere to the algae, they enhance the buoyancy, allowing them to be brought to the surface more efficiently than denser substances like heavy metals or silt. This capability makes DAF particularly useful in treating water that has issues with algal blooms, as it can separate the algae from the water column and improve water quality.

While DAF can also assist in removing oils and certain types of silt, its association with algae removal is more pronounced due to the characteristics of algae being conducive to flotation techniques. Hence, understanding the specific challenges in water treatment and the processes designed to address them highlights why dissolved air flotation is significant for effectively managing algae in water systems.