What is Mechanical Wastewater Aeration Systems?

Mechanical aeration and diffused aeration are the two basic categories of aeration systems. Diffused aeration normally takes place from the bottom of a tank or lagoon, whereas mechanical aeration occurs from the surface.

Conventional aeration system models are frequently mechanical wastewater aeration systems, which have provided years of dependable service to the wastewater treatment plants. However, as technology advances, the wastewater sector adapts diffused aeration.

What is the best way to choose a proper aeration system for a wastewater treatment facility?

Throughout the wastewater treatment process, separate plants must give diverse demands and objectives’ priority. The following variables will determine which industrial aeration system is best, for your wastewater treatment facility:

·         Wastewater output,

·         Composition of wastewater and oxygen requirements,

·         Requirements for efficiency,

·         Lagoon or tank size,

·         Climate,

·         Location of the plant,

·         Aims for maintenance reduction,

·         Objectives for capital costs,

·         Goals for maintenance costs,

·         Goals for energy costs.

By selecting an excellent, efficient aeration system, wastewater treatment facilities may meet many of these needs at once.

Mechanical wastewater aeration systems

Mechanical aeration systems, as opposed to diffused aeration systems, utilize quickly spinning shafts and propeller blades. Although they often permit stronger localized mixing, and higher localized dissolved oxygen concentrations, they may not always offer the same advantages as diffused aeration.

Working of a mechanical aeration system

A horizontal motion is used by traditional mechanical aeration systems. It is made up of a motor that rotates a propeller or a pump and tubing. Water is gathered and pushed out by this mechanism. The water takes in and absorbs air as it stirs. The machinery constantly adds more air to aerate, and mix this aerated water with the other water in the tank or lagoon.

Components of a mechanical aeration system

The majority of mechanical aeration systems require one piece of equipment to be installed, and are modular. For complete coverage, plants might install many units in a tank. Typically, these surface aeration systems demand for buoys, to stay on top of the effluent.

Types of mechanical aeration systems are as follows:

Propellers in these devices, known as horizontal aspirators, rotate roughly horizontally. They force air into the tank by pushing it down the vertical shaft.These devices have propellers that rotate vertically to force water into the air.

Jet aerators: These systems combine the functions of horizontal and vertical aerators, and add injected air for additional aeration.

The benefits and drawbacks of mechanical aeration are discussed below.

Pros of mechanical aeration systems

·         Strong mixing and oxygen transfer

The propeller blades' vigorous churning motions efficiently mix the wastewater, while transferring oxygen for aeration and maintaining wastewater bio-solids in suspension.

·         Simplicity

Installing, operating, and moving the equipment is easy for wastewater treatment plants.

·         Lower starting costs

Mechanical aeration systems frequently have lower initial costs than dispersed aeration systems, because there is nothing complicated to design or install.

·         Greater effectiveness in extremely shallow tanks

For tanks that are only a few inches deep, targeted mixing using a mechanical aeration system works wonders.

·         Greater effectiveness in challenging environments

Mechanical aeration systems, unlike diffused aeration systems, are made of metal, frequently corrosion-resistant metal. They are perfect for severe conditions, like chemical wastewater because of their sturdy metal design.

Because mechanical aerators float, plants can move them around the tank by removing them from their moorings, and reinserting them in a different location.

Cons of mechanical aeration systems

·         Lower aeration efficiency

Mechanical aeration methods provide less efficient aeration than diffused aeration systems, because they increase less surface area for oxygen transfer, and distribute oxygen unevenly throughout the tank.

·         More challenging blower management

Mechanical aerators need more blowers since they are less effective. Increased maintenance is a result of adding blowers. Additionally, the blowers are submerged, which makes maintenance more challenging.

·         Environmental impact

Higher energy requirements are brought on by mechanical aeration's less effective operations.

·         More maintenance

Mechanical aeration systems have more mechanical equipment to operate, than diffused aeration systems, thus they require more maintenance.

·         Higher long-term operating costs

Mechanical aerators are more expensive to operate because they require more maintenance and replacement parts.

·         Poor harsh-weather performance

In freezing temperatures, surface aerators can get frozen, and in severe weather, motors can fail.

·         Bad odours

Unpleasant scents are brought on by the surface aerosol generations, by mechanical surface aerators.

·         Less effective for tanks that are quite deep

Away from the source, the powerful surface aeration's mixing effect quickly diminishes. Mechanical surface aerators frequently have a limited reach in large tanks, and undesired sludge accumulates in the dead zones, where no mixing takes place.

·         Less safety

Electrical wires in the wastewater make the working conditions for maintenance staff more hazardous.

Are diffused aeration systems a better alternative than mechanical aerators?

Diffused aeration systems are by far the best option for cheaper system costs, dependable, cutting-edge equipment, and a lowered burden of repairs and replacement, for wastewater treatment facilities and maintenance workers. They improve the efficiency of oxygen transmission and aeration, offer consistent mixing, and maintain high oxygen levels to promote the growth, and efficiency of beneficial aerobic bacteria.

If your company wants to upgrade its current aeration, and switch to a system that is effective, cutting-edge, affordable, and simple to administer, switching to diffused aeration would offer all those advantages and more.

Best aeration systems with Netsol Water

For all of your diffused air requirements, Netsol Water is here to help. We provide a selection of quality, protective coatings, retrievable diffuser systems, fine bubble diffusers, coarse bubble diffusers, disc and tube diffusers, as well as a variety of choices, to fit a variety of financial needs. 

Netsol Water is Greater Noida-based leading water & wastewater treatment plant manufacturer. We are industry's most demanding company based on client review and work quality. We are known as best commercial RO plant manufacturers, industrial RO plant manufacturer, sewage treatment plant manufacturer, Water Softener Plant Manufacturers and effluent treatment plant manufacturers. Apart from this 24x7 customer support is our USP. Call on +91-9650608473, or write us at enquiry@netsolwater.com for any support, inquiry or product-purchase related query.