Shallow air floatation equipment

• Product Overview

The High-Efficiency Shallow Air-Lift Equipment is an advanced solid-liquid separation system developed by our company, based on the "zero-speed" or "shallow pool theory" principle. Featuring a unique rotating water distribution system and an ultra-shallow effective separation depth, this product enables high-speed, continuous solid-liquid separation. It provides a high-capacity, space-efficient, and highly automated solution for removing fine suspended solids, oils, algae, and certain colloidal substances from water.

• Structure and Working Principle

1. Core structural composition

The device is an integrated circular or square steel structure, with the core subsystem comprising:

• The rotating water distribution and collection system: The core unit consists of a central rotating drive mechanism, uniformly distributed inlet distribution pipes, and outlet collection pipes. The synchronized and uniform-speed rotation of the distribution and collection pipes is crucial for achieving "zero-speed" separation.
• The shallow separation zone typically has a shallow effective water depth (approximately 400-600mm). It consists of multiple inclined parallel plates or honeycomb tube arrays, which significantly increase the effective settling (or floating) area.
• High-efficiency aeration system: Comprising an aeration tank, release device, pressurizing pump, and air compressor, it is responsible for generating a large volume of dense microbubbles (typically <30μm in diameter).
• Automatic skimming system: Using rotating skimming arms or spiral skimmers, continuously skimming the accumulated floating scum on the liquid surface into the central discharge trough.
• The walking frame and housing: a lightweight steel structure that supports all components, typically prefabricated as a single unit for easy installation.

2. Working Principle

• Zero-speed separation: The treated water enters the separation zone through the central rotating distribution pipe. The distribution pipe rotates synchronously and in the same direction as the subsequent collection pipe, keeping the water "stationary" relative to the tank walls within the separation zone. This eliminates water flow disturbances, creating nearly ideal hydraulic conditions for the combination and flotation of bubbles and flocs.
• Efficient contact and separation: The microbubbles generated by the dissolved air system thoroughly mix with the raw water containing coagulants in the inlet pipeline or dedicated mixing zone. In the shallow separation zone, flocs rapidly combine with bubbles and float upward. The extremely shallow water depth results in a very short ascent path, significantly reducing the separation time.
• Continuous discharge: The floating scum is removed by a continuously rotating scraper system, while clean water is collected through a rotating collection pipe and discharged.
• Core technical features

1. Exceptionally high surface loading and processing speed: Thanks to the "zero-speed" principle and shallow tank design, the hydraulic retention time is significantly reduced. The designed surface loading capacity typically reaches 5-10 times that of conventional air flotation, with rapid processing speed and outstanding unit area processing capability.
2. The separation efficiency is high and the effluent water quality is relatively stable. The combination of stable hydraulic conditions and microbubbles can obtain good removal effect of suspended solids and oil, and the effluent turbidity is relatively low.
3. High degree of automation and easy operation: The entire system can achieve automated control, including rotary drive, slag scraping, dissolved air, sludge discharge, etc., requiring minimal manual intervention and relatively simple operation management.
4. Compact structure and modular design: The equipment exhibits high overall integration with minimal floor space. Standardized modular design facilitates expansion or combination applications, while requiring relatively less installation and foundation work.
5. Adaptability: By adjusting the type of coagulant, dosage, and dissolved air pressure, it can cope with variations in water quality and quantity within a certain range.

Key technical parameters

• Typical Application Fields

This equipment is suitable for various applications requiring rapid and efficient solid-liquid separation, demonstrating particular advantages in projects with high throughput, limited space, or stringent effluent quality requirements.

• Industrial wastewater pretreatment and advanced treatment:

• Papermaking white water recycling and wastewater treatment: efficient fiber recovery and SS reduction.
• Wastewater from food, oil, and meat processing: Highly effective removal of animal and vegetable oils as well as suspended organic matter.
• Wastewater from mechanical processing, electroplating, and painting: removal of metal hydroxide flocs, suspended particles, and oils.
  • Municipal Sewage and Water Treatment:
• The primary sedimentation tank in the sewage treatment plant is enhanced or replaced to remove some organic matter and suspended solids.
• The waterworks should deal with the pretreatment of high algae and low turbidity water.
  • Other fields:
• It was used for algae removal in seawater desalination pretreatment.
• Used for bypass treatment in circulating cooling water systems to remove suspended solids and biological sludge.