Removal of Total Suspended Solids by a Foam Fractionator in a Simulated Seawater Aquaculture System

In a simulated seawater aquaculture system, effects of different operating factors like the superficial air velocity (SAY), hydraulic residence time (HRT), protein concentration and foam overflow height on the removal of total suspended solids (TSS) by a foam fractionator, with 20 cm diameter and 120 cm height, were investigated. This experiment was performed on batch and consecutive modes for different combinations of the tested factors, using synthetic wastewater. In 5 consecutive trials, TSS concentration in culture tank water decreased faster, when the foam fractionator was operated at higher SAV and lower HRT. In batch trials, with increasing SAV, TSS removal rate increased, but decreased with increasing HRT. Higher protein concentration in the bulk solution resulted in higher TSS removal rate. TSS concentration in the collected foam condensates increased but the foam overflow rate decreased with increasing foam overflow height. Foam fractionation was effective for removing TSS in seawater aquaculture systems and its performance largely depended on the operating parameters, especially superficial air velocity.