Air Stripping

Air stripping is primarily used for removing volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), oxidizing
contaminants such as iron and manganese, improving taste, or removing odor.

1.0 Applicable Contaminants

Air stripping is an EPA BAT for some organic chemicals (VOCs) including benzene, toluene,
xylene, tri/tetrachloroethylene, trihalomethanes, vinyl chloride and many others.

2.0 Description of Technology

Technology Description Air stripping is the process of transfering a contaminant from the
liquid phase to the gas phase. In the air stripping process, air and water are contacted in a packed
column designed to maximize the contact surface area between the water and air. Air stripping
performance depends on factors such as:

Characteristics of the volatile material (partial pressure, Henrys constant, gas-transfer

resistance, etc.) [1]
Water and ambient air temperature
Turbulence in gaseous and liquid phases
Area-to-volume ratio
Exposure time
Use of a bioreactor on the air waste stream [3]

Appropriate design of the packed column is necessary to ensure the desired level of contamiant
removal based on the process operating temperature and the Henrys Constant of the target
contaminant. Scaling can occur when calcium exceeds 40 mg/L, iron exceeds 0.3 mg/L,
magnesium exceeds 10 mg/L, manganese exceeds 0.05 mg/L. Biological fouling may also occur
depending on the feed water quality [2].
The following is a list of the different types of air stripping technologies:
Waterfall Aeration: spray aerators, multiple-tray aerators, cascade aerators, cone aerators,
packed columns
Pressure Aerators: water into pressurized air, compressed air into a pressurized pipeline
Diffusion Type Aerators: diffuser aerators, draft-tube aerators, in-well aeration
Mechanical Aeration: surface aerators, submerged aerators [1].
Spray aerators dissipate water in a vertical or inclined angle breaking the water into small drops.
Multiple-tray aerators use uniquely designed trays in order to increase the surface area for

Air Stripping

aeration. Cascade and cone aerators allow water to flow in a downward direction over a series of
baffles or pans [1].
There are two main types of pressure aerators, one that sprays water on top of a tank that is
constantly supplied with compressed air, and one that injects compressed air directly into a
pressurized pipeline adding fine air bubbles into the flowing water [1].
Diffusion type aerators are similar to pressure aerators but are designed to allow air bubbles to
diffuse upward through the tank of water in order to help produce turbulence and mixing [1].
Mechanical aerators use a motor driven impeller to achieve air mixing. Occasionally, it is also
used in combination with an air injection device [1].
Benefits Proven and experienced technology, able to be a low profile addition to a treatment
process, high percentage of removal (99% and above) [2].
Limitations Proper air flow is necessary to provide the proper air and water balance to prevent
flooding or excess air flow [2], scaling and biological fouling may impact the performance of the
air stripper

3.0 Example Treatment Train

Air Stripping
Well

Feed Tank

Treatment Process

Air In

4.0 Safety and Health Concerns

Off-gas treatment may be necessary using activated carbon or thermal oxidation. VOC
inhalation is possible if not treated properly.
Hazards associated with compressed air

5.0 References
1. American Water Works Association, and American Society of Civil Engineers. Water
Treatment Plant Design. Ed. Edward E. Baruth. Fourth ed. New York: McGraw-Hill
Handbooks, 2005.
2. US Army Corps of Engineers. Engineering and Design: Air Stripping. Design Guide No.
1110-1-3. 2001.

Air Stripping

3. Speitel, G. E. and D. S. McLay (1993). "Biofilm Reactors for Treatment of Gas Streams

Containing Chlorinated Solvents." Journal of Environmental Engineering 119(4): 658678.

Contact Information
This Fact Sheet was produced by the TSCs Water Treatment Engineering Team. Please address
any questions or comments to:
Contact: Bob Jurenka
Email: wtprimer@usbr.gov
Phone: (303) 445-2254
Web: http://www.usbr.gov/pmts/water/publications/primer.html
Revision Date: 09/20/10

Air Stripping