Bubble diffusers aerate wastewater to promote the growth of beneficial bacterial enzymes that break down waste solids. They consist of perforated tubes, plates, or discs that generate bubbles when air is pumped through them. The size of the bubbles affects efficiency. Aeration is crucial for efficient solids removal, but it consumes a significant amount of energy. Bubble diffusers offer a low-cost, low-maintenance option. They consist of submerged diffuser heads with evenly spaced holes that infuse wastewater with oxygen. Current trends favor smaller orifices for greater efficiency.
A bubble diffuser is a device that uses masses of bubbles to aerate sewer wastewater to aid in the production of beneficial bacterial enzymes. These enzymes help break down waste solids in the water which make them easier to filter or clarify. Bubble diffusers usually consist of perforated tubes, plates or discs with a large number of evenly spaced holes. The air is pumped through the diffuser heads, thus generating the bubbles which facilitate the process. The size of the bubbles plays a large part in the efficiency of a bubble diffuser.
Suspended solids in sewer wastewater must be broken down and allowed to settle in secondary stage clarifiers or membrane filters. This allows for efficient solids removal and the highest quality secondary effluent or wastewater. One of the best ways to do this is to allow bacterial enzymes to naturally decompose the material. The healthy propagation of these enzymes relies on a food source and an abundant source of oxygen. Suspended solids provide the food source while aeration of the water ensures adequate oxygen supply.
Wastewater aeration accounts for a significant percentage of the energy consumption of any treatment plant. This is especially true for plants that use aeration methods such as mechanical agitators. The bubble diffuser offers a low maintenance and cost effective option for oxygen infusing wastewater. These mechanisms typically have only the diffuser heads submerged in the wastewater; air pumps located above the water make system maintenance simple. The lack of submerged moving parts also results in lower operating and maintenance costs.
A bubble diffuser consists of a submerged diffuser head placed on the floor of the separation tank. Diffuser heads can be tubular, flat, disc or dome type. The head is drilled with a pattern of evenly spaced holes through which compressed air is pumped from the surface. The resulting bubble mass slowly rises through the wastewater and infuses it with oxygen. This oxygenation then creates a suitable environment for the production of bacterial enzymes.
Bubble size is an important variable in the efficiency values of a bubble diffuser system. In the past quite coarse diffuser holes were used; a larger bubble size was thought to result in faster rates of rise and better “pumping” or distribution of oxygen. Current trends tend to use smaller orifices because research has shown that a finer bubble mass is more efficient at oxygenating in most applications. The average diffuser hole size in most wastewater systems is approximately 0.08 inch or 2 mm with sizes as low as 0.04 inch or 0.9 mm being used in some cases.
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