Research on the CFD numerical simulation and process optimization of countercurrent–cocurrent dissolved air flotation

The countercurrent-cocurrent dissolved air flotation (CCDAF) process is a new type of air flotation process integrating countercurrent collision and cocurrent flow adhesion processes. The structural form of the CCDAF tank and its process parameters are the required conditions to achieve countercurrent collision and cocurrent adhesion. In this study, eight CCDAF tank process models were established with a flow rate of 0.5 m(3)/h. Flow field numerical simulation and process optimization of a CCDAF tank was conducted using Fluent software. The simulation results show that the optimal conditions for the CCDAF process are as follows: contact zone ascending velocity 10 mm/s, separation zone separation velocity 1.5 mm/s, dissolved gas pressure 0.45 MPa, and recirculating dissolved-gas distribution ratio R-1/R-2 1:1. Under these operating conditions, the flow state in the flotation tank is the most stable and the gas in the contact zone is evenly distributed. According to the simulation results, a 5 m(3)/h pilot plant was built. The structural dimensions were: BxLxH= 1,020 mm x 1,300 mm x 1,350 mm. The test results show that the CCDAF has a significant decontamination effect and is clearly superior to the cocurrent flow DAF process and countercurrent flow DAF process.