Tubular and Disc Aerators for Aeration Tanks

Aerator is a special device designed to crush the supplied air into small bubbles. Depending on size of the pores, aerators are divided into large-bubble, medium-bubble and small-bubble aerators.

The size of the generated air bubbles directly affects the oxygen mass transfer efficiency, energy consumption of the aeration system, and the stability of biological processes in the aeration tank. The smaller the bubble size, the greater the air–water contact area and the more efficient the biological wastewater treatment processes.

Fine-bubble aerators provide a high oxygen transfer rate and are widely used in biological aeration tanks, where intensive aeration and stable activated sludge performance are required. Such aerators allow for reduced blower power consumption while maintaining the specified process parameters.

Coarse-bubble and medium-bubble aerators are used in systems where not only oxygen supply but also intensive mixing of wastewater is required, as well as in pre-aeration zones and load equalization tanks.

The selection of the aerator type is carried out at the design stage and depends on the depth of the aeration tank, hydraulic load, activated sludge concentration, energy efficiency requirements, and operating conditions of the wastewater treatment facilities. Incorrect selection of aeration equipment may result in increased energy consumption and reduced biological treatment efficiency.

The compressed air is fed through the duct to the aerators, where it is dispersed into small bubbles. Through this process in the tank where the aerators are installed, the efluent is saturated with oxygen. Aerators supply aerobic microorganisms with oxygen and ensure homogenization and mixing of the liquid. Depending on the design, aerators are divided into tubular and disc.

The efficiency of an aeration system is determined by the uniformity of air distribution, bubble size, and the installation depth of the aerators in the aeration tank. A properly selected aeration system ensures a stable dissolved oxygen concentration, which is required for the biological wastewater treatment processes to proceed effectively.

Tubular aerators create an extended aeration zone and are used in flow-through aeration tanks, where uniform air distribution along the length of the tank is required. This design contributes to the stable operation of activated sludge and reduces the risk of local zones with insufficient oxygen concentration.

Disc aerators provide fine-bubble aeration and are characterized by a high oxygen mass transfer coefficient. They are applied in systems where energy efficiency and compact aeration zones are critical, as well as under variable load conditions at wastewater treatment facilities.

The selection between tubular and disc aerators is performed at the design stage and depends on the aeration tank depth, required aeration intensity, wastewater characteristics, and operating conditions. A properly designed aeration system allows for reduced energy consumption and ensures the stable operation of biological wastewater treatment plants.

The main advantages of the WBQ, ADE and ATE aerators are:

• Durability
• Easy to install and maintain
• High eficiency aeration
• Suitable for treatment of aggressive waste water.
  
  Ease of installation and maintenance is achieved due to the modular design and the ability to install the aerators on standard aeration systems without the need for complex reconstruction of aeration tanks. When maintenance or replacement is required, individual components can be removed without shutting down the entire system.
  
  High aeration efficiency is ensured by the optimized geometry of the aeration elements and the formation of a uniform fine-bubble air flow, which increases the oxygen mass transfer coefficient and reduces the energy consumption of blower equipment.
  
  Suitability for the treatment of aggressive wastewater allows WBQ, ADE, and ATE aerators to be used in biological treatment systems for industrial and domestic wastewater with elevated concentrations of chemical compounds, surfactants, and petroleum products, without loss of operational reliability.

• Domestic wastewater treatment plants

(residential complexes, administrative buildings, shift camps)

• Industrial wastewater treatment plants
(facilities with organic and chemical pollutants, petroleum products, and surfactants)


• Biological aeration tanks (aeration tanks)
(as part of new and rehabilitated wastewater treatment facilities)


• Advanced wastewater treatment facilities
(bioreactors, nitrification and denitrification zones)


• Fish farming and fisheries ponds
(maintenance of dissolved oxygen levels, prevention of fish kills)


• Artificial and process water bodies
(water quality improvement, prevention of stagnant zones)


• Reservoirs and storage tanks
(for aeration and mixing of wastewater and process water)


• Stormwater and drainage water aeration systems
(where reduction of odors and biological load is required)


• Wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation projects
(replacement of outdated aeration systems with energy-efficient solutions)