What issue may arise if the sludge blanket in a Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) Unit is not properly maintained?

When the sludge blanket in a Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) unit is not properly maintained, one significant issue that can occur is the passing of solids under the effluent baffle. The sludge blanket serves as a critical layer that helps to separate the clarified water from the concentrated sludge. If the blanket becomes too thick or is improperly managed, it can lead to a scenario where finer solids are not effectively retained. As a result, these solids can escape through the effluent baffle, which is designed to prevent such occurrences, compromising the quality of the treated effluent.

Maintaining the correct thickness and consistency of the sludge blanket is essential to ensuring effective solid-liquid separation. If the blanket is too shallow, particles can easily pass through it and end up in the effluent, leading to a potential violation of effluent quality standards. Proper management involves monitoring the blanket's depth and the concentration of solids to ensure that it effectively performs its role in the DAF unit.