OPTIMIZING YOUR AERATION SYSTEM

摘要

Aeration technology has changed dramatically within the last ten years with therndevelopment, installation, and operation of various fine bubble diffusers and jetrnaeration systems in activated sludge plants. The introduction of these new aerationrnsystems with existing technologies and techniques for monitoring system performancernhave provided the tools for determining oxygen transfer efficiency, delivery rates,rnfouling, and energy consumption. The monitoring techniques developed for thesernsystems can be applied to existing aeration systems in order to evaluate performancernand optimize system operation. Optimizing the existing system can help to avoid majorrnaeration system upgrades and improve treatment efficiency.rnThis paper will discuss the theory of aeration and the components that must bernconsidered in aeration technology including oxygen transfer, temperature, intensity ofrnmixing, tank geometry, driving force, resistance to transfer (alpha), and characteristicsrnof the waste stream. Equipment types including mechanical, turbine, and diffusedrnaeration also will be discussed.rnIn addition, the paper will discuss clean water testing of the various types of aerationrnequipment and application of the results to actual waste streams, and techniques forrntesting aeration system performance in existing systems including off gas analysisrnand oxygen uptake rate methods. Two case studies involving industrial facilities wherernthese techniques have been applied will be discussed. The economic optimization ofrnexisting aeration systems based on the interpretation of the test results for both case