Separation of solid and liquid streams presents an engineering challenge to biomass utilization for fuels.  The broad particle size distribution and the presence of microscopic particles in the slurries from biomass conversion pretreatments negatively affect separation performance.  Solid and liquid phases must be separated with high efficiency to improve overall process yields.  Washing steps may be required to minimize entrainment of dispersed phases.  Our studies show that the suspended solids, post alkaline pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse, in the liquid stream account for 5-10% of original biomass feed.  Both filtration and sedimentation processes were found to have low separation efficiencies, due to small particle sizes, low density, and the fibrous nature of bagasse.  Because of low concentrations of suspended solids in the liquid stream (1-1.5%), recovery of solids by centrifugation may require high capital and operating costs.  Dissolved air flotation (DAF) was evaluated for suspended solids recovery from the liquid stream obtained from alkaline pretreated cane bagasse.  A continuous bench scale DAF clarifier was constructed and tested.  The effect of additives at various chemical addition rates, air-to-solids ratios and hydraulic loadings on the DAF process was determined.  Small quantities of lime were found to enhance flotation of particles and minimize the use of flocculants.  Recoveries of suspended solids were in the range of 50% and were accompanied by a greater volume reduction than could be achieved by conventional sedimentation.