Abstract |
A dissolved-air flotation system was evaluated for primary treatment of combined sewer overflows. The major pieces of component equipment were a gyratory screen, hydrocyclones, an air dissolving tank, and a flotation cell. The principal aspects investigated were: (1) Performance of the system during rain events and dry periods; (2) Evaluation of individual components; (3) Capital costs and operating costs for utilizing a flotation system for various size combined sewage overflows; (4) The adaptability of the system for automation and use in remote location; and (5) The ability of the system to treat intermittent and highly variable flows from combined sewage systems. Some chemical aids to flocculation were also tested. The system performed comparably to conventional clarifiers. It appears dissolved-air flotation systems would be economical for handling combined sewer overflows up to 8 MGD. Automation of dissolved-air flotation systems appears possible with conventional control equipment. Chemical aids to flocculation appear to have promise that warrants further study. The system was unique in that all liquid flow passed directly through the air dissolving tank with no recycle. Domestic sewage was studied in lieu of combined sewage during periods of no rain. (Author) |