FLOTAMET™

Solids separation by means of dissolved biogas flotation (DBF)

The effluent from the digester flows via an effluent collection tank to a special GWE’s Dissolved Biogas Flotation cell, called the SUPERFLOT™ – BIOGAS unit. In the SUPERFLOT™ – BIOGAS unit, the anaerobic biomass that escapes the anaerobic reactor with the treated effluent, are separated from the treated wastewater by flotation and returned to the digester. Because the anaerobic biomass is returned to the reactor, the sludge retention time is increased, and the overall mass of microorganisms available to perform the treatment can be enhanced.

Consequently, the size of the anaerobic treatment system can be reduced significantly. The higher biomass concentration also imparts added resiliency to the process and resistance to shock loads or abnormal operating conditions. From time to time some excess sludge is removed and disposed of, as needed.

The operating principle of the SUPERFLOT™ – BIOGAS dissolved biogas flotation (DBF) unit is similar to a Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) system, but it utilizes biogas instead of air, for flotation. In comparison to a DAF, the DBF unit provides the advantages of a sealed, odor-free separation system and ensures no impact from the dissolved air, as could be possible with a DAF, on the anaerobic process.