What Are Extended Aeration Systems?

Aeration is the process in which air is circulated through, dissolved, or mixed in a liquid or substance. Aeration is what brings water and air in close contact in order to take away dissolved gasses and oxidize dissolved metals such as hydrogen sulfide, iron, and volatile organic chemicals. This process is usually the first major step at a drinking water treatment plant. If you are asking “What is aeration?” read on to find out more about this process.

Aeration in Wastewater Systems

When it comes to wastewater aeration optimization, aeration is the secondary treatment process. The activated slugged process is the most common option in secondary treatment. Aeration is a process that promotes microbial growth in wastewater. The microbes then form flocks that settle out while feeding on organic material. Once it has been settled in a separate settling tank, bacteria that form the sludge recirculate continuously back to the aeration basin. In the process, decomposition rates increase.

The most common method of aeration in industrial use is water-fall aeration via spray nozzles. There is also the air diffusion method of aeration in which air is diffused into a receiving vessel containing counter-current flowing water.

Furthermore, aeration is used in liquids, soil, and foods to reduce pollution and improve quality. The process is then used to oxidize soluble iron and manganese to insoluble precipitates. Aeration can also be used to reduce hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. It is perfect to control bacteria growth.

As far as industrial water conditioning, the main goal of aeration is to remove carbon dioxide.

Types of Aeration

Read on to find out about the different types of aeration.

Fine Bubble Diffusers

Fine bubble diffusers are energy-efficient submersible aeration systems that are used to treat wastewater. These systems disperse gas that is diffused and is used to transfer an equal amount of oxygen as a coarse bubble system.

This technology is a type of subsurface aeration that introduces air into the water through very fine bubbles. Hundreds and thousands of these bubbles promote the transfer of oxygen to water.

Coarse Bubble Diffusers

Coarse bubble diffusers produce a much bigger diameter of bubble to displace, mix, and churn the wastewater.

Tiny pores release these bubbles with a diameter between 0-3 millimeters, while the coarse bubble diffusers release bubbles with a diameter that ranges anywhere from 3 to 50 millimeters.

This type of aeration is perfect for highly loaded systems, conventional aeration, aerobic digesters, channels, and sludge storage.

Surface Aeration

This type of aeration works best in shallow water appliances or when an extensive amount of oxygen is required right away. Splashing style surface aerators create more surface area for the gas exchange, which then adds a large amount of oxygen to the water.

Categorised in: Wastewater Filtration