DAF technology is crucial for removing suspended solids, oils and organics from wastewater, especially on space-constrained industrial sites in Sydney. By using tiny micro-bubbles to lift pollutants to the surface, DAF systems help contractors, engineers and site managers meet discharge limits, reduce downstream load and enable water reuse.

At Baldwin Industrial Systems, we design and support DAF systems for Australian industrial conditions, compliance and efficiency.

How the DAF Process Works: Step by Step

Dissolved air flotation has three core stages:

  1. Coagulation – A coagulant destabilises fine particles, oils and organics.
  2. Flocculation – Flocculants create larger aggregations, making them easier to remove.
  3. Flotation – Micro-bubbles (30-50 microns) are generated by dissolving air under pressure into clarified water and then releasing it into wastewater. These bubbles stick to flocs, causing them to float for skimming. The remaining water is clarified and collected for reuse or discharge.

Clean water is recirculated to form more bubbles, and floating sludge is removed via a surface skimmer into a sludge trough. Integration with settlement systems handles heavier solids.

Industries That Use DAF Systems

DAF technology is used in industries that require the removal of suspended solids, fats, oils and biological matter:

  • Food & Beverage – Removes fats, oils, grease and organics in dairy, meat and beverage processing.
  • Mining & Mineral Processing – Separates tailings and suspended solids; essential for metal extraction and runoff.
  • Paper, Pulp & Desalination – Clarifies ink, humic acids and pre-treats seawater before reverse osmosis.
  • Oil & Gas and Petrochemicals – Extracts emulsified oil contaminants before biological or discharge stages.

Benefits of DAF for Wastewater Treatment

The dissolved air flotation and filtration process offers several key advantages that make it a strong option for industrial wastewater treatment when applied correctly:

  • High removal efficiency – Can remove up to 90% of suspended solids, oils and greases.
  • Compact footprint – Much smaller than traditional clarifiers, ideal for tight industrial sites.
  • Versatile across industries – Works with diverse wastewater streams, including low-buoyancy particles.
  • Thicker sludge – Produces ~5% dry solids versus ~1% from settlement tanks, reducing sludge handling costs.
  • Rapid startup and processing – High hydraulic loading with shorter retention times increases treatment throughput.

Limitations & Design Considerations

The dissolved air flotation treatment process requires careful design and operation to avoid pitfalls:

  • Capacity limits – Systems may struggle with very high flow rates or solids load.
  • Temperature sensitivity – Air solubility varies with temperature, affecting bubble formation.
  • Chemical dependency – Coagulants and flocculants add to cost and handling requirements.
  • Operational complexity – Proper function depends on skilled operators and regular maintenance.

For high-rate DAF or complex industrial applications, recycle streams may exceed several times the throughput, requiring robust air saturation and buffer tanks for consistent sludge quality.

When to Choose DAF for Your Site

A dissolved air flotation system for wastewater treatment is ideal when your wastewater contains fine solids, oils, or grease that don’t settle well in conventional clarifiers. It’s also well-suited to sites with space limitations or compact layouts. This treatment method works effectively as a pre-treatment step before biological or membrane processes and supports strategies involving sludge thickening or reuse.

Not sure if a dissolved air flotation separator fits your needs? Call our Sydney team on (02) 4954 0440 for expert advice, site assessments, or system design support.

Baldwin’s Industrial DAF Solutions

Baldwin provides DAF wastewater treatment systems tailored to your site’s flow rates, contamination levels, and available footprint. Our Sydney-based team delivers fully integrated systems, including flocculation and air saturation units, efficient oil skimming mechanisms, and the support infrastructure needed to keep everything running smoothly. That includes buffer tanks, chemical dosing units, mixers, and automated controls.

We handle every stage of the process, from design and installation to commissioning and maintenance. We regularly work with manufacturers, mining operations, food processors, and chemical facilities across Australia to deliver reliable and compliant treatment outcomes.

Get DAF Advice in NSW

Whether you’re retrofitting an existing plant or building a new one, we can help. From concept to commissioning, Baldwin ensures your DAF is compliant, efficient and built to last.

Visit our contact page to get started today.

Dissolved Air Flotation FAQs

What is DAF used for?

A DAF system removes suspended solids, oils and grease via microbubbles, producing clarified water for discharge or reuse.

How does DAF compare to settlement?

DAF removes 80-90% of solids and oils, compared to much lower rates in traditional settlement tanks.

Which industries use DAF?

Food, mining, oil & gas, desalination, paper and pulp, and high-strength industrial effluent producers.

Can treated water be reused after DAF?

DAF is perfect for recycling water for wash-down, cooling, irrigation or as pre-treatment for RO systems.

How does temperature affect DAF?

Higher water temperatures reduce air solubility, which can reduce bubble formation and separation efficiency unless compensated for in design.