MicroRise™ R-Series Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) Water Treatment System
Gravity settling works well when the solids in a wastewater stream are dense enough to sink. When they are not, a different separation mechanism is required. The ALAR MicroRise™ R-Series is a rectangular dissolved air flotation (DAF) system engineered for industrial facilities where low-density solids, emulsified oils, and biological material resist conventional settling. By generating a controlled stream of micro-bubbles that attach to suspended particles and carry them to the surface, DAF water treatment achieves separation that sedimentation-based systems cannot.
How DAF System Water Treatment Works
The MicroRise™ R-Series operates on the principle of dissolved air flotation: a portion of clarified effluent is pressurized and saturated with air, then recycled back into the flotation tank. As this air-saturated stream is released at atmospheric pressure, it produces micro-bubbles approximately 30 microns in diameter. Those bubbles adhere to suspended particles, colloidal matter, and emulsified oils, reducing their effective density and carrying them to the surface as a float layer. A mechanical skimmer continuously removes the concentrated float for downstream dewatering or disposal, while clarified effluent exits from below.
Chemical pretreatment with coagulants and flocculant polymers is performed ahead of the DAF system in most applications. The combination of chemical conditioning and micro-bubble separation produces consistent reductions in TSS, FOG, and insoluble BOD across waste streams.
The MicroRise™ R-Series Product Line
ALAR offers three configurations within the MicroRise™ R-Series family, each suited to different hydraulic loads and operational requirements.
MicroRise™ R-Series
MicroRise™ R-Series is the core rectangular DAF system. It is constructed entirely from 304 stainless steel for corrosion resistance, arrives pre-piped, pre-wired, and skid-mounted for straightforward installation, and incorporates ALAR's stock Air Dissolving Pumps (ADP). The ADP generates 30-micron bubbles without cavitation and consumes up to 40% less power than conventional dissolved air flotation equipment.
An integrated inlet box ensures even flow distribution across the flotation area. Flush nozzles at the tank base prevent solids accumulation over time. The all-electric design eliminates pneumatic components and air compressors, reducing both maintenance demands and operational complexity.
MicroRise™PLUS
MicroRise™PLUS adds inclined plate packs to the base configuration. The combination of ALAR's ADP and plate pack technology increases effective separation surface area within the same footprint, enabling higher solids loading rates and greater volume capacity without expanding the unit's physical footprint.
Industries That Rely on DAF Treatment
DAF systems address the specific separation challenges found across a range of regulated industrial sectors. The following represent the most established applications within our customer base.
- Food and Beverage Processing: Processing wastewater from dairy, meat, poultry, and beverage operations carries high concentrations of fats, proteins, and suspended solids that are too light to settle efficiently. DAF is the standard primary separation technology in this sector, consistently achieving high removal rates for FOG and TSS ahead of biological treatment or discharge.
- Oil and Gas: Produced water and process effluent from oil and gas operations contain emulsified hydrocarbons and suspended solids that require dedicated separation ahead of discharge or reuse. The MicroRise™ R-Series' micro-bubble generation is well suited to oily waste streams where effective emulsion breaking and float recovery are critical.
- Chemical Manufacturing: Process wastewater in chemical manufacturing varies widely in suspended solids content and chemistry. DAF provides a reliable primary clarification step for facilities managing variable or complex effluent streams, particularly where low-density organics or colloidal solids would bypass gravity separation.
- Metal Finishing and Plating: Rinse water and process bath dragout from metal finishing operations carry suspended solids and precipitated metals that require physical separation following chemical pretreatment. The MicroRise™ R-Series integrates directly into existing chemical pretreatment programs, accepting chemically conditioned influent and producing a concentrated float for dewatering.
- Pulp and Paper Mills: Fiber fines, lignin, and process chemicals suspended in pulp and paper mill effluent are excellent for dissolved air flotation separation. DAF has been used in this industry for decades and remains the preferred primary clarification technology for fiber recovery and suspended solids reduction ahead of secondary treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About the MicroRise™ R-Series DAF Water Treatment System
Yes. The MicroRise™ R-Series is designed as part of ALAR's broader treatment system offering. The float material generated by the DAF unit can be fed directly to ALAR dewatering equipment, including the Auto-Vac™ rotary vacuum drum filter or the Micro-Klean™ filter press. ALAR also supplies the coagulant and flocculant chemistry used in the pretreatment stage ahead of the DAF.
No. The MicroRise™ R-Series design eliminates the need for a separate retention tank, which reduces overall system footprint and simplifies installation. This is a meaningful advantage in facilities where floor space is constrained.
The MicroRise™ R-Series removes total suspended solids (TSS), fats, oils, and grease (FOG), and insoluble BOD. Performance depends on the specific waste stream, chemical pretreatment program, and operating conditions. Pilot and bench testing are available through ALAR to characterize removal rates for a given application before equipment is specified.
