Seawater Desalination Pretreatment - DAF Application Case
Industry Background
With industrial development in coastal regions and increasing freshwater scarcity, seawater desalination has become a vital supplementary water source for chemical parks, power plants, and municipal facilities. Before entering the reverse osmosis system, seawater must undergo efficient pretreatment to remove suspended solids, algae, colloids, and fine particles. The quality of this pretreatment has a direct impact on membrane fouling, operating pressure, cleaning frequency, and overall treatment cost.
Seawater typically features high salinity, fine particles, and seasonal temperature fluctuations. Without adequate pretreatment, membrane systems can quickly suffer from fouling, flux loss, or even operational shutdown.
Technical Approach
To address the fine particles and low settling velocity of seawater, Haibar’s Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) system employs micro-bubble flotation technology for highly efficient solid-liquid separation. The microbubbles attach to suspended solids and algae, lifting them rapidly to the surface to form a scum layer. This significantly reduces turbidity and algal concentration, ensuring stable and consistent feedwater for downstream reverse osmosis systems.
Constructed with corrosion-resistant materials, the equipment is engineered for long-term operation in high-salinity environments. Automated sludge skimming, dosing systems, and remote monitoring capabilities enable reliable, continuous performance in large-scale desalination facilities and coastal intake pretreatment stations.
On-site Photos
Taken at a seawater desalination plant in Guangdong. The Haibar DAF pretreatment system shown in the picture has been in operation since 2022, providing stable removal of algae and suspended solids and ensuring low-turbidity feedwater for the reverse osmosis units. The system demonstrates smooth operation and consistent sludge discharge, while the new-generation control system has significantly improved overall pretreatment efficiency.
Share to:
