Global water technology company Xylem has unveiled its new Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) products and services for the South African market.

DAF is a compact and convenient industrial wastewater pre-treatment and solids- separation system within a broader waste- water treatment system, leveraging microscopic air bubbles to separate suspended solids and associated contaminants.

“We are very excited to bring cutting-edge DAF solutions to our local customers. Xylem has introduced our DAF solutions to several other markets, where they have become a big hit among companies of various sizes,” says Xylem WSS Africa, Middle East, Türkiye and India strategy and marketing manager Chetan Mistry.

He highlights the logistical benefits of DAF’s compact designs and convenient deployment, supported by expert technicians, which South African organisations can now leverage to expand their choices for water treatment and recycling.

Xylem’s DAF solutions and services enable more producers to manage wastewater strategically without excessive investment in wastewater infrastructure.

The system provides reliable wastewater treatment to key sectors such as mining, municipalities, agriculture, aquaculture, food and beverage, paper and pulp, chemical manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies.

DAF systems are typically more compact than conventional gravity clarification and sedimentation systems, with their compact and modular design enabling deployment in constricted and crowded sites.

“DAF systems are also remarkably compact, often requiring significantly less footprint and depth than conventional sedimentation tanks, depending on design and loading rates,” he says.

They can also operate as a standalone solids-separation step or complement downstream biological, filtration or reuse systems to help achieve site-specific compliance and reuse objectives.

While the systems are available as permanent infrastructure, Xylem also provides DAF rental options that support smaller and seasonal projects.

“Xylem Africa and its partners deliver permanent and rental DAF solutions, calibrated to a customer’s requirements and operations,” says Mistry.

“As water stress and costs increase, organisations are intensifying their strategies to ensure supply and compliance. For many, though, this prospect was out of reach because of the cost and cumbersome ownership of industrialised water treatment options.”

Mistry explains that Xylem’s DAF systems use Hellbender pumps to release microscopic air bubbles that, following appropriate coagulation and flocculation, attach to suspended and destabilised colloidal particles, enabling their separation from the water phase which can be skimmed away.

The DAF technique efficiently removes total suspended solids; fats, oils and greases; metals and fines; and particulate-associated biochemical oxygen demand from wastewater streams.

These systems offer an effective solution for a wide range of applications.

“From running pilots and proofs of concepts for wastewater management plans to enhancing the efficiency of established treatment systems and upgrading to cutting-edge treatment methodologies, Xylem Africa and DAF help South African industries and municipalities solve water for all.

“Xylem’s expert staff and our experienced partners customise each solution as required. We deliver and manage components such as mixer tanks, weir tanks, pumps and conveyors, as well as catwalks and accessories. Our skilled technicians can support onsite staff or run the process on behalf of our customers,” Mistry concludes.