PURPOSE AERATION

Aeration brings water and air in close contact in order to remove dissolved gases (such as carbon dioxide) and oxidizes dissolved metals such as iron, hydrogen sulfide, and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). Aeration is often the first major process at the treatment plant. During aeration, constituents are removed or modified before they can interfere with the treatment processes. Aeration brings water and air in close contact by exposing drops or thin sheets of water to the air or by introducing small bubbles of air (the smaller the bubble, the better) and letting them rise through the water. The scrubbing process caused by the turbulence of aeration physically removes dissolved gases from solution and allows them to escape into the surrounding air.

Aeration also helps remove dissolved metals through oxidation, the chemical combination of oxygen from the air with certain undesirable metals in the water. Once oxidized, these chemicals fall out of solution and become particles in the water and can be removed by filtration or flotation. The efficiency of aeration depends on the amount of surface contact between air and water, which is controlled primarily by the size of the water drop or air bubble. Oxygen is added to water through aeration and can increase the palpability of water by removing the flat taste. The amount of oxygen the water can hold depends primarily on the temperature of the water. (The colder the water, the more oxygen the water can hold). Water that contains excessive amounts of oxygen can become very corrosive. Excessive oxygen can also cause problems in the treatment plant i.e. air binding of filters.

CHEMICALS REMOVED OR OXIDIZED BY AERATION

Constituents commonly affected by aeration are:

AQUA AERATORS

AquaAir® Diffused Aeration

AquaAir® provides ponds and lakes with superior aeration, circulation, and de-stratification. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels are increased throughout the entire water column with the use of bottom mounted diffusers. The diffusers employ a super fine micro-bubble technology resulting in the highest diffuser oxygen transfer rate (OTR) available today. The micro-bubbles draw water from the pond floor to the surface where atmospheric oxygen is absorbed and then transferred throughout the water column. This process provides excellent deterrence to thermal stratification (layers of different temperature within the water). The diffusers are connected by self-weighted Super Sink air supply tubing to a revolutionary cylindrical design enclosure containing one of four compressor sizes. System sizes range from 1/3 to 1HP and operate with 1 to 6 diffusers.

Compressor

Diffuser

Volcano II and Hydromax Series

The perfect choice when a high performance, lower profile, floating surface aerator is desired. Volcano II and Hydromax Aeration Series produce astonishing aeration results due to their high GPM pumping rates and oxygen transfer capabilities.

Etna

Shasta

Volcano II

Oxymax® Aeration System

Oxymax® Aeration Systems work from the bottom of the pond, completely submerged, out of sight and silent. It couples an electric motor to a propeller water transport system. The oxygen-depleted water is moved rapidly from the bottom of the pond directly and effciently to the surface. The cooler, denser water absorbs oxygen as it quickly spreads across the pond. It returns down through the de-stratifed layers, providing equal distribution of oxygenated water.

Ultimax® Aeration Systems

This series of aerators provides horizontal circulation of water and oxygen at or below the surface. Powered by our exclusive submerged electric motor, the specifically designed propeller circulates water directionally. Available in mixer, aspirator, surface float, or bottom fixed base versions.