Pressure flotation

Flotation is the reverse process of sedimentation, meaning that when the solid phase (contaminants) has a density lower than water, it is removed by being carried to the surface of the liquid. When compressed (dissolved) air is introduced into the system under pressure, the expansion of air in the flotation chamber causes the formation of bubbles that attach to the sediment (agglomerates and flocs formed after coagulation). This air-solid mixture has a lower density than water, allowing for more efficient removal of such contaminants. This is referred to as pressure flotation. The pressure flotation process requires specially designed flotation chambers, equipped with surface skimmers for the sludge, an expansion chamber, and a sludge chamber. The portion of the treated water from the flotation process is recirculated and used to create the air-water mixture using special saturating pumps.