AIRES Mobile DAF
A fully engineered, field-proven flotation system built on a frac-tank footprint for produced water, industrial wastewater, oil recovery, solids removal, and chemically assisted polishing with produced-water capability up to 90,000 BPD / 2,625 GPM depending on conditions, and light-polishing capability up to 100,000 BPD / 2,917 GPM.
Designed and Engineered by the Oilfield, for the Oilfield
Purpose-built mechanical performance
The DHI AIRES Mobile DAF is designed, manufactured, and operated by DHI, giving customers a single source for equipment design, field operation, parts support, and treatment optimization.
Heavy-duty construction, wide access platforms, controlled whitewater generation, patented skimming, and integrated slop removal help the system handle variable oilfield water with solids, paraffin, iron, oil, and changing water chemistry.
Result: stable flotation, cleaner effluent, easier operation, faster deployment, and better use of every chemical dollar spent.
Core Advantages
ARIES combines rugged equipment design with flotation internals and controls that are built for real oilfield operating conditions.
Proprietary internals
Custom pump, skimmer, aeration, manifold, and flotation designs create consistent bubble distribution and stable flotation zones.
Patented skimming
The drag-chain and skimmer assembly removes accumulated oil and float solids without interrupting the main treatment path.
Chemistry optimized
Mechanical stability supports faster floc formation, improved oil capture, and reduced chemical adjustment during variable influent conditions.
Integrated controls
The PLC platform connects level, water-characterization, operating, and safety signals for simple operation and consistent control.
Fast deployment
Skid-mounted, DOT-compliant design supports rapid mobilization, field setup, and long-term site operation.
Oxygenation option
An optional oxygen-rich microbubble upgrade can enhance oxidation, oil attachment, biological suppression, and downstream chemistry performance.
Typical Treatment Sequence
The ARIES DAF can operate as a stand-alone flotation step or as part of a broader DHI treatment train.
Influent Conditioning
Produced water or industrial wastewater enters the treatment train. Upstream oil separation and retention can reduce chemical demand.
Chemical Contact
Coagulant, flocculant, peroxide, or other chemistry can be applied based on oil, iron, sulfide, solids, and target effluent quality.
Whitewater Release
Pressurized recycle water releases microbubbles into the flotation chamber to attach to oil droplets and suspended particles.
Flotation & Skimming
Oil and floc rise into the float layer and are removed by the patented skimmer and integrated slop removal system.
Polished Effluent
Clarified water exits for reuse, discharge, filtration, further polishing, or downstream treatment depending on site requirements.
Equipment and Process Data
Key design parameters, operating ranges, and expected treatment performance for the ARIES Mobile DAF.
Physical / Mechanical
| Footprint | 46 ft × 102 in; height 130 in |
| Mounting | Skid-mounted for rapid transport and deployment |
| Access | OSHA-standard walkway included |
| Whitewater pump | 40 HP DAF pump |
| Level control | Telescopic valves for water-level control |
| Slop removal | Integrated manifold; single connection can evacuate compartments |
| Valves | Stainless steel (316) valves throughout |
Power / Controls / Instrumentation
| Main power | 480 VAC, 100 A + Power Distirbution for ancillary systems |
| Control system | Fully integrated PLC with control over 48 parameters |
| Electrical panel | Distributes power to DAF equipment and supports additional pumps |
| Cooling | Built-in cooling system for control components |
| Safety | Emergency stop and safety cords installed |
| Sensors | Level and water-characterization sensors connected to PLC |
| Transport | DOT-compliant configuration |
Design Basis
| Effective flotation area | 168 ft² (8 ft × 21 ft) |
| Total tank volume | 500 bbl / 21,000 gallons |
| Effective whitewater / flotation compartment | 215 bbl / 9,030 gallons |
| Slop and buffer compartments | Remaining tank volume |
| Whitewater recycle flow | 7,200 BPD / 210 GPM / 5 bbl/min |
| Air injection rate | 4 SCFM |
| Whitewater pressure | 75–80 psi |
| Estimated bubble size | 20–40 microns |
| Bubble generation | Gas-liquid mixing pump microbubble generation |
Expected Treatment Performance
| Free oil | 90–99% typical removal |
| Total suspended solids | 80–95% typical removal |
| Emulsified oil with chemistry | 60–90% typical removal |
| Produced water window | Up to 90,000 BPD / 2,600 GPM maximum capability, depending on conditions |
| Light polishing | Up to 100,000 BPD / 3,000 GPM, depending on oil, solids, chemistry, and effluent target |
Throughput Performance and Hydraulic Loading
| Influent Throughput | Total Flotation-Zone Flow | Hydraulic Loading (gpm/ft²) | Recycle Ratio | Effective Flotation Residence Time (min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 BPD / 292 GPM | 17,211 BPD | 1.7 | 72% | 18.0 |
| 15,000 BPD / 438 GPM | 22,217 BPD | 2.6 | 48% | 13.9 |
| 20,000 BPD / 583 GPM | 27,189 BPD | 3.5 | 36% | 11.4 |
| 40,000 BPD / 1,167 GPM | 47,211 BPD | 6.9 | 18% | 6.6 |
| 60,000 BPD / 1,750 GPM | 67,200 BPD | 10.4 | 12% | 4.6 |
| 80,000 BPD / 2,333 GPM | 87,189 BPD | 13.9 | 9% | 3.6 |
| 90,000 BPD / 2,625 GPM | 97,200 BPD | 15.6 | 8% | 3.2 |
| 100,000 BPD / 2,917 GPM | 107,211 BPD | 17.4 | 7% | 2.9 |
Residence time shown above is based on the effective 215 bbl whitewater / flotation compartment. Total tank volume is 500 bbl, with slop and buffer compartments making up the balance.
Quick Capacity Reference
Select a throughput to view the corresponding hydraulic data from the ARIES operating table. Flow rates are shown in both BPD and GPM.
This reference is for preliminary planning only. Final design should be based on jar testing, oil droplet size, solids loading, emulsification, iron/sulfide demand, and target effluent quality.
Applications
Produced Water
- Free-oil recovery
- Suspended solids reduction
- Iron and sulfide treatment support
- Reuse and recycle pretreatment
Industrial Water
- Oil and grease removal
- Clarification before filtration
- Chemically assisted floc removal
- High-rate polishing
DHI Support
- Process review and test planning
- Chemistry selection and optimization
- Field operators and maintenance support
- Integrated treatment train design
Need a field-ready DAF system?
DHI can review influent water quality, target effluent requirements, flow rate in BPD / GPM, chemistry strategy, and site logistics to recommend the correct ARIES deployment configuration.
AIRES DAF DATA SHEET
Engineered for Produced Water Treatment
The DHI ARIES Mobile Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) system is a purpose-built produced water treatment platform engineered specifically for harsh oilfield environments. Designed, manufactured, and operated by DHI, ARIES delivers reliable oil and solids separation with rapid deployment, integrated controls, and rugged field-proven construction.
Built on a frac-tank footprint for easy mobilization, the system combines proprietary flotation technology, balanced whitewater aeration, patented skimming systems, and operator-focused design to maximize uptime and treatment efficiency.
Key Capabilities
Up to 100,000 BPD hydraulic throughput capability*
90–99% typical free oil removal
80–95% typical suspended solids removal
Proprietary pumps, skimmers, and flotation internals
Integrated PLC controls and instrumentation
Fast deployment and simplified maintenance
Engineered for variable produced water conditions
*Dependent on influent conditions and treatment objectives.
Built for Performance in the Field
ARIES is engineered to handle high solids loading, oil contamination, paraffin, iron, and rapidly changing water chemistry commonly encountered in produced water operations. Stable aeration zones and optimized hydraulic performance help improve oil separation, solids capture, and chemical efficiency while maintaining operational reliability in demanding environments.
Rugged. Reliable. Field-Proven.
Unlike generic wastewater systems adapted for oilfield service, ARIES was developed specifically for produced water treatment by operators and engineers with direct field experience. The result is a high-performance mobile treatment platform designed for deployment speed, operational simplicity, maintainability, and dependable long-term performance.