Induced air flotation (IAF)

The dynamic induced air flotation- oil-water separator "AKOIL-IAF"

The "AKOIL-IAF" is a system capable of removing hydrocarbon fractions from contaminated water effluent. The principle of the separation lies on "Stocks' gravity law" and more specifically on the enrichment of the oil droplets' rinse velocity with the supply of dispersed gas bubbles. The "AKOIL-IAF" is a cylindrical or orthogonal tank which is divided into cells. The exact number of cells varies and depends upon flow.

The tank is equipped with agitators in order to disperse the air bubbles, gas in-put facilities and an oil skimmer. An air blanket produced by an inner gas minimizes the possibility of an explosion and ensures safe operation. Air bubbles are produced from an external regular blower and are transferred through pipelines to the tank.

Operation details

In general oil is present in water in three forms

1. Free oil
2. Emulsified oil
3. Dissolved states in different proportions

In order to improve efficiency of AKOIL-IAF the dissolved oil is removed with a post treatment method and more specifically with walnut- shell filtration. In addition, when oil is in emulsion with water or vice versa de- emulsifiers are added in order to break up the oil/water or water/oil emulsion. Then the effluent stream is treated with AKOIL-IAF. Finally the product of the process has a 95% less content of free oil compared to the initial stream whereas O/W or W/O emulsion is not observed.

AKOIL-IAF is composed from the following parts

1. In flow connections
2. Chemical preparations units
3. Chemical feeding devices
4. Inert gas generators plus feeding devices for air dispersion and for the formation of the protective blanket
5. The main body of the AKOIL-IAF system which is made from an anticorrosive material. The main body is divided into multiple cells (2-6) and the latter communicate by over-flow weirs.
6. Oil skimming devices
7. Agitator to disperse the gas bubbles
8. Sediment scraper.
9. Instruments and electronic control panel for un-attended safe and effective operation