DAF System Wastewater Treatment — How Dissolved Air Flotation Improves Industrial Effluent Quality
The DAF system wastewater treatment (Dissolved Air Flotation) is a highly efficient clarification technology used to remove oil, grease (FOG), suspended solids (TSS), and colloidal materials from industrial wastewater. Its compact design and impressive removal efficiency make DAF one of the most widely used technologies across industries such as food processing, hotels, palm oil mills, fisheries, textile, and manufacturing.
Industries in Indonesia increasingly rely on DAF systems to meet strict discharge requirements and improve the effectiveness of downstream treatment processes.
What Is a DAF System in Wastewater Treatment?
A DAF system is a flotation-based treatment that injects microbubbles into wastewater. These bubbles attach to suspended particles such as oil, grease, solids, and sludge, causing them to float to the surface where they are easily skimmed off.
DAF is especially effective in industries with high FOG content where sedimentation alone is insufficient.
This process works in synergy with chemicals like Special Coagulant, which help destabilize particles before flotation, allowing higher efficiency.
How the DAF System Wastewater Treatment Works
The DAF system wastewater treatment follows four primary stages:
1. Coagulation & Flocculation
Chemicals such as coagulants and flocculants are added to bond smaller particles into larger, floatable flocs.
2. Air Saturation
Part of the treated water is pressurized and dissolved with air.
3. Microbubble Release & Flotation
When pressure is released in the DAF tank, microbubbles (30–50 microns) form and attach to pollutants, lifting them to the surface.
4. Skimming
A mechanical skimmer removes floating sludge, while clarified water exits at the bottom.
For more advanced processes downstream, RO systems often follow DAF. You can read more about this in our internal article on Reverse Osmosis Cleaning Agent.
Why Industries Prefer DAF for Wastewater Treatment
✔ Superior TSS & FOG Removal
DAF can remove up to 90–95% of oil, grease, and suspended solids, outperforming sedimentation tanks.
✔ Compact & Space-Efficient
DAF units require far less space, making them suitable for hotels, resorts, and industrial estates.
✔ Improves Biological Treatment
By removing solids early, DAF reduces the load on aeration systems and membranes.
✔ Low Energy & Operational Costs
Minimal moving components and efficient chemical usage lower operational expenses.
✔ Ideal for High-Variability Wastewater
DAF is effective even when wastewater quality fluctuates due to production cycles.
Common Applications of DAF System Wastewater Treatment
Industries that benefit most from DAF include:
- Food & beverage industries
- Hotels and resorts dealing with kitchen and laundry effluent
- Palm oil mills (POME pretreatment)
- Seafood processing plants
- Industrial parks & central WWTP facilities
- Textile and dyeing industries
Each application leverages the unique ability of DAF to rapidly remove contaminant loads before further filtration or biological processes.
Internal Link to Related GLS Solutions
To support DAF performance, GLS also offers complementary chemicals and filtration products. Explore our Liqua-Zen Z468 collection for scale control and system optimization.
Trusted External References Linked to Keywords
Technologies like Dissolved Air Flotation have been studied globally. Authoritative references include:
- U.S. EPA guidance on Dissolved Air Flotation
- Water Environment Federation on industrial wastewater treatment
- WaterWorld magazine on DAF system applications
These sources discuss principles, performance, and case studies of flotation systems across industries.
Conclusion: Why DAF System Wastewater Treatment Is Essential
The DAF system is one of the most reliable and versatile technologies for industrial effluent treatment in Indonesia. Its ability to remove high concentrations of oil, grease, and solids makes it a crucial pretreatment method that significantly improves overall plant performance.
With the expertise of PT. Gapura Liqua Solutions (GLS), industries can implement tailored DAF systems that ensure compliance, lower operational costs, and enhance downstream processes.