Fine Bubble Diffusion Increases Volatile Solids Digestion in Lagoons
What is one thing that all wastewater treatment systems have in common?
They require oxygen.
And LOTS of it!
There has been a breakthrough in aeration technology resulting in an affordable, highly effective aerators. That technology has been evolving since 1995, but still, the waste water industry remains behind the times, but is now finally catching up.
Common Questions Asked
Do you spend too much of your budget on energy costs?
Does your waste treatment system need a boost in performance?
Do you need low-cost help in meeting regulatory requirements for wastewater discharge?
Do you need an affordable back-up system to keep your operations underway when your main facility is down for repair?
WaterSolve focuses on solutions for the most effective aerobic digestion of organic waste. Aerobic is more desirable over anaerobic digestion because it has a quicker rate of digestion, it produces less odor, and prevents and\or reduces the frequency for the need of solids removal procedures. WaterSolve uses a unique aeration technology known as Fine Bubble Diffusion also known to some as Micro Bubble Aeration, to achieve lagoon aquatic environments that support large bacteria populations capable of more volatile solids digestion. Conventional technologies that provide from down-under bubbles that are much larger and that quickly float to the surface do not provide a well oxygenated environment. Our technology creates Fine Bubble Diffusion which addresses the problem of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and waste treatment by improving the performance of aerobic bacteria to consume organic wastes. The entire lagoon gets saturated with oxygen.
The Fine Bubble Diffusion Difference in Wastewater Treatment
- Higher and faster removal rate of BOD (biological oxygen demand) and TSS (total suspended solids)
- Up to 70% reduction in electrical consumption
- Reduction of odors
- Improvement of water quality
- Rapid microbial growth and reproduction
- Elimination of pathogens
- Control of algae growth
- The Ultra Fine Bubble Advantage
What sets our aerators apart is in the output size of the bubbles. Years of research and field testing has taken micro bubble technology to a new level. The Ultra Fine Bubble Diffusion units produce bubble sizes of 0.02 mm or less in a negative pressure under-water environment. With over 1 billion micro bubbles per cubic foot, that translates to over one thousand square feet of surface area of oxygen molecules. As compared to conventional aeration technology, Fine Bubble Diffusion produces an exponentially greater oxygen source which is denser and longer lasting in water. Healthy bacteria can increase, resulting in a more effective elimination of waste products and bad odors. And it provides an environment where bacteria can feast on food particles. In other words, they don’t have to chase after dinner.
Fine Bubble Diffusion aerators create bubbles under a partial vacuum rather than with pressure. Those bubbles are so tiny that their buoyancy is overcome by the surface tension of the water. This means that the bubbles stay resident in the water for a longer period of time.
Our aeration units introduce micro bubbles into lagoons without causing excessive agitation to the water through the use of low-pressure air. High turbulence counteracts aerobic digestion. It has been proven that aerobic bacteria fixed to a submerged surface within a low turbulence, oxygen rich environment are up to 10 times more efficient at digesting organic matter. Bacteria like to eat without all that motion that typically reduces consumption rate.
The Trend Towards Fine Bubble Diffusion Aeration
Waste water treatment facilities are slowly advancing with the times given newer, more effective aeration technologies. “Green” initiatives and the desire to find energy efficient, environmentally friendly solutions, fine bubble aeration is an ideal fit. There is virtually no maintenance required (for example – periodic cleaning). But then again, maintenance is a part of any wastewater lagoon aeration system. We just help minimize it. The energy efficiency of our aerators, and their ability to improve dissolved oxygen levels outweigh any negatives. For this reason, we’ve recently seen a trend of wastewater treatment facilities switching from surface aeration and other wastewater lagoon treatment alternatives to fine bubble aeration.
Wastewater Aeration Types vs Turbine Technology
There are many different types of wastewater treatment systems in use today. The most common is an aerated lagoon. Aerators fall into several different categories as follows:
- Floating Surface Aerators
- Submerged Aerators
- Fixed-in-Place Surface Aerators
- Compressed Air Diffusers
Our turbine technology is an aerator that can float on the surface or else be attached to a dock or wall. It releases air beneath the surface of the water with the action of a rotating disc that operates on the principle of precession. It discharges a plume of oxygenated water in both a downward and a 360-degree lateral direction. Compared to other subsurface aerators, the turbine produces very little surface frothing. That is because a greater percentage of the air (oxygen) is held in suspension beneath the surface.
In a clear water demonstration showing our aeration units installed, you can see the displacement of bubbles beneath the water. This visual image is a testimony to the high percentage of small oxygen bubbles being created and held in suspension.
Our Fine Bubble Aeration Technology is self-aspirating, meaning that it draws air by suction from the atmosphere. It does not need costly canister oxygen or a compressed air system to generate and inject oxygen into the body of water. Due to its unique design, it is virtually impossible for the turbine to clog. Turbine technology can be installed in many different locations within a treatment system. For example, it can be placed in the last basin for final treatment before the wastewater is discharged into the environment. As an alternative, it can be placed in the first basin to jump-start the aeration process.
Each turbine is operated by a low horsepower electric motor. The power requirements of the motor can be sized to meet the electrical requirements of your treatment system.
Consider Fine Bubble Diffusion technology as an upgrade to increase the effectiveness of your wastewater lagoon system.
