Hybrid hydrocyclone process operating with natural water

This research deals with a hybrid hydrocyclone process, involving micro-bubbles injection generated by the dissolved air flotation technique; the micro-bubbles allow the aerated flocs formed by coagulation and flocculation to be separated inside the hydrocyclone. The floc separation is induced by centrifugal force. The lighter phase moves toward the center of the hydrocyclone and the heavier one to the wall. This hybrid process is intended for natural water or industrial raw water and would be performed as an industrial water treatment process. For this study, the hybrid hydrocyclone process was performed under steady state conditions with natural water coming from the river Marne. Efficiencies of 61 ± 4% for turbidity decrease and 77 ± 20% for suspended solids removal were obtained. The separation efficiency between the clarified water and the flocs reached 95 ± 10%. This process achieved continuous operation with 1000 L/h inlet flow. In industrial wastewater treatment, which requires a reliable, compact and efficient process, this hybrid technology shows strong potential, with a significant reduction of the plant footprint.