Tenco Hydro · Hybrid Flotation Technology
DAF+
Dissolved Air Flotation
Augmented with Aphron Microbubbles
Augmented with Aphron Microbubbles
DAF+ combines Tenco Hydro's proven dissolved air flotation platform with integrated aphron microbubble technology — delivering a dual-bubble system that outperforms standard DAF on fine solids, variable loads, and difficult chemistry, without abandoning the infrastructure and expertise you already have.
87%
Dissolved Air Saturation Efficiency
7–25 µm
Aphron Bubble Diameter
15–35
Projected SLR lbs/ft²/hr
Pending field validation
50+
Years DAF Manufacturing Experience
Dual-Bubble Population — DAF+ Contact Zone
DAF
Dissolved Air
High-volume whitewater. Proven bulk lift performance.
+
Aphron Froth
7–25 µm. Electrostatically charged. Fine particle capture.
System Architecture
How DAF+ Works
DAF+ retains every component of Tenco Hydro's standard DAF platform and adds an integrated third-party aphron generator — flow-paced to the inlet and managed through the same C2/C3 control architecture your operators already know.
01
Flash/Floc Conditioning
Influent passes through coagulant and flocculant reaction tanks. Micro-floc forms and surface charges are conditioned for flotation.
Standard DAF
02
Dual-Bubble Injection
Dissolved air whitewater and aphron microbubble froth are introduced simultaneously at the release chamber. Particles meet both bubble populations at first contact.
DAF+ Enhancement
03
Distributed Zone Contact
Multiple aphron injection points along the flotation cell floor sustain bubble-particle contact throughout the tank — not just at the inlet.
DAF+ Enhancement
04
Flow-Paced Controls
Aphron generator output is automatically paced to inlet flow. Integrated into the Tenco C2/C3 control platform — operators manage one system, not two.
DAF+ Enhancement
Technical Comparison
DAF+ vs. the Alternatives
Direct comparison against standard dissolved air flotation and atmospheric microbubble flotation systems.
| Parameter | Standard DAF | Atmospheric Flotation | DAF+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic Loading Rate | 1–5 GPM/ft² | Not published | 1–5 GPM/ft² (upper range, high confidence) |
| Solids Loading Rate | 2–20 lbs/ft²/hr | Up to 40 lbs/ft²/hr claimed | 15–35 lbs/ft²/hr projected |
| Bubble Population | Dissolved air only | Aphron froth only | Both — dual mechanism |
| Recirculation Required | ~50% of inlet flow | None | ~30–35% (reduced) |
| Energy — 350 GPM System | ~15–25 HP total | ~2–5 HP | ~10–18 HP |
| Load Swing Response | Recirculation adjustment | Generator output only | Both controls available |
| Operator Familiarity | High | Low for DAF operators | High — one new component |
| Spare Parts | Standard / immediate | Proprietary generator | Standard throughout |
| Retrofit Path | Replace in kind | Remove dissolved air system | Add to existing DAF |
| Published Performance Data | 50+ years | Multiple case studies | Field validation in progress |
SLR projection based on engineering analysis of dual-bubble system behavior. HP estimates reflect a 350 GPM system at 70 PSI with reduced recirculation for DAF+. All data subject to site-specific conditions. Contact Tenco Hydro for application-specific sizing.
Where DAF+ Performs Best
Target Applications
DAF+ delivers its greatest advantage in applications where fine particle size, surface charge, or variable loading push standard DAF toward its performance ceiling.
Fine Clay & Drilling Fluids
Bentonite and kaolin particles are 1–10 microns — directly matched to aphron bubble size. Electrostatic affinity directly addresses clay's strong negative surface charge.
Size-matched bubble capture + electrostatic attachment
High-Strength FOG
Food processing, rendering, and animal processing streams with high emulsified fat, oil, and grease loads benefit from dual-bubble attachment and improved float solids dryness.
Improved emulsified FOG capture at variable load
Municipal Secondary Thickening
Variable load, consistent effluent requirements, and long equipment life — DAF+ delivers improved performance while preserving operator familiarity and infrastructure.
Platform continuity + performance upgrade
Variable Load Industrial
Batch discharge and upset conditions are managed through two independent control levers — recirculation rate and generator output — rather than one.
Dual-mechanism process control redundancy
Existing DAF Retrofit
For facilities with an existing Tenco DAF, DAF+ is a retrofit upgrade — add the aphron generator to the platform already in place. No infrastructure replacement required.
Add-on upgrade — no platform replacement
Fine Solids Polishing
Where standard DAF achieves bulk TSS removal but fine carryover pushes effluent above discharge limits — aphron froth provides a secondary capture layer.
Effluent polishing without additional unit processes
The Case for DAF+
Proven Platform.
Advanced Performance.
01
You Don't Replace What Works
Pressure vessel, recirculation pump, skimmer mechanism, controls — all stay in place. DAF+ adds capability without asking you to abandon decades of operational knowledge.
02
Two Performance Levers, Not One
Recirculation rate and aphron generator output are independently adjustable. When load swings, you have two dials — not one.
03
Standard Parts. No Supply Chain Risk.
Every component uses standard industrial parts. No proprietary dependencies, no single-source supply risk on critical components.
04
Integrated by Engineers Who Build DAF
The aphron generator is a third-party component engineered into a Tenco Hydro system by the same team that has built DAF equipment for over 50 years. The integration is the product.
DAF+ System Flow — Simplified
Influent Feed
↓
CoagFloc Conditioning
Chemical↓
Release Chamber
Dissolved AirAphron Froth Injection — Third-Party Generator, Flow-Paced
Flotation Zone — Dual Bubble Contact
DAF+Distributed Floor Injection Points
↓
Chain Skimmer → Float Discharge
↓
Effluent Weir → Discharge
↓ Recirculation Loop ~30–35%
Pressurization System — 87% Saturation
TencoTechnical Reading
Learn More About DAF+
Four articles covering the science, engineering, and applications behind DAF+ technology.
01
FoundationWhat Are Aphron Microbubbles — And Why Do They Matter?
The science behind aphron microbubbles, Dr. Felix Sebba's original research, and why stability and electrostatic charge change the flotation equation.
Read Article
02
TechnologyDAF+: How Tenco Hydro's Hybrid Flotation System Works
Dual-bubble injection, distributed floor contact, reduced recirculation, and flow-paced controls — a complete explanation of the DAF+ architecture.
Read Article
03
MunicipalReplacing a 30-Year DAF: What Municipal Plants Should Actually Be Asking
Footprint, efficiency, and serviceability claims examined from a municipal operator's perspective — and why platform continuity matters.
Read Article
04
ApplicationsWhen Standard DAF Hits a Ceiling: Fine Clay & Difficult Solids
Why fine clay particles are hard to float, how aphron bubble size and electrostatic affinity change the physics, and which applications benefit most.
Read Article
Ready to Discuss Your Application?
Whether you're evaluating a new installation, replacing an existing DAF, or looking for a retrofit upgrade — Tenco Hydro's engineering team will work through the specifics of your application with you.
Contact Our Engineers
708-387-0700 · sales@tencohydro.com
720 N Heartland Dr Unit K, Sugar Grove, IL
720 N Heartland Dr Unit K, Sugar Grove, IL
DAF+ field validation data in progress. Projected SLR and performance figures are based on engineering analysis and are pending independent field verification. Contact Tenco Hydro for application-specific sizing and performance estimates.