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Water Aeration in Wastewater Treatment

Conference Paper · August 2012

DOI: 10.1115/DETC2012-71524

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 Proceedings of the ASME 2012 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences &
Computers and Information in Engineering Conference:
ASME DETC/CIE
August 12-15, Chicago, Illinois

DETC2012-71519

WATER AERATION IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT

R.S.Amano Ammar Alkhalidi
Department of Mechanical Engineering Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
ASME Fellow, corresponding author

Patrick Bryar Wayel Alwayel

Department of Mechanical Engineering Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

ABSTRACT
The primary objective of this paper is to examine ways to
increase the efficiency of water aeration process. This objective
was completed through the use of a propeller and fan blade
designs. Both Standard oxygen transfer efficiency (SOTE) and
power reclamation were analyzed. Results of SOTE analysis
indicated a decrease in efficiency, when compared to the
standard model air diffuser. While the propeller design was able
to successfully breakup the forming bubble column, the system
reduced the circulatory currents that create mixing within the
experimental tank. Results indicate a small SOTE drop,
throughout the system. Power reclamation was able to yield, at
a peak depth of 25cm (10 in) below the top water surface,
0.8W, with input energy of approximately 45 W resulting in
reclamation of 1.8% of the power put into the system. This data
was retrieved at a volumetric flow rate of 9.4 x 10-4 m3/s (2
CFM) with a pressure of 55kPa (8psi).
will have an immense impact upon the cost of clean drinking
water.
Diffuser systems are common in wastewater treatment plants
utilizing activated sludge processes. A sludge process is a
process in dirt treatment in which oxygen is forced into the dirt
liquor to develop a biological flocculation which reduces
organic content of the sewage. Dome diffusers are the most
common type of diffuser used in the industry, Diffuser design
and installation is presented in the next subsection.
Dome Diffuser:
It is typically circular. It’s made from ceramics, plastics or
rubber. The dome diffuser is fixed on either a polyvinyl
chloride or a steel base plate see Fig 1(b) [2].

INTRODUCTION
In today’s evolving world, there has been an increased demand
for energy efficiency and cost reduction. Water pollution
control has been the focus problem of many individuals and
groups due to obvious determent to the environment that it
poses. This can be attributed to an increased demand for
environmental preservation. Basic wastewater purification can
be broken into five stages: large matter filtration, inoculation,
aeration, sedimentation and finally chlorination. The focus of
this project is to examine and further optimize the water
aeration stage. This focus was chosen because this stage can be
attributed to 50%-70% [1] of operation costs, of a wastewater
plant. Increasing the efficiency of water aeration technology, Figure 1: this schematic the different type of diffuser (a): Disc Diffuser. (b):
Dome diffuser SANITAIRE brand products Wisconsin, 1999[3].

1 Copyright © 2012 by ASME

For the scope of this project, a rubber membrane disk diffuser
was to be used as a standard. This perforated membrane allows
for bubbles to be formed on its surface. These bubbles then
dislodge from the surface of the membrane, and travel up to the
surface of the water. When combine with other bubbles, they
form
orm a column of air bubbles traveling upward. As a bubble
moves through water, it leaves a trail of aerated
ed water behind it,
as shown in, Fig. 3 Dani et al [4].
Figure 2:: A single bubble moving upward, illuminated by a laser, wi
with a
corresponding trail of aerated water [4].
Chudoba et al. [5] have conducted laboratory experiments on
four activated sludge system with various flow patterns. The
system was characterized by dispersion numbers which are a
numerical expression of the degree of mixing. Perfect mixing
has a dispersion number of infinity.
ty. The dispersion numbers in
the four systems were ∞,, 1.06, 0.17 and 0.033. All systems
were operated at the same detention period of 8 h and
approximately at the same sludge loadings. It was concluded
that the complex mixing system tend to lead to excessexcessive
growth of the filamentous microorganisms.
Due to the
he density difference between the bubble column and
water, the column is forced inward, causing the bubbles to
move through already aerated water, see Fig 4.
Figure 3:: Image illustrating the current patterns that exist within the tank
This pattern causes a decreasing in the efficiency of each water
bubble. Currents caused by density differences, circulate water,
this is illustrated by arrows, in Fig 4.
NOMENCLATURE:
Ω, R = Resistance
I = Current
ρ = Density
AC = Alternating Current
V = Velocity
µ = Dynamic Viscosity
DETAILS OF DESIGN:
The design implemented was a 18 cm diameter propeller blade.
This propeller blade was powered by the current generated by
water circulating through the water, which was induced by the
movement of the bubbles. This system was able to break up the
bubble column resulting in a higher bubble spread, as
illustrated in Fig 5.
Figure 4: design operating at 9.4 x 10-4 m3/s (2 CFM).
Based upon Dani et al [4]] finding, it was assumed that higher
dispersion increases the effectiveness of each bubble, resulting
in an increase in SOTE. Furthermore, it was believed that this
would be able to increase average resinous time
t of each bubble,
within the system. This results in, again,
again an increased SOTE.
The prototype system utilized, as shown in Fig 6, consisted of a
propeller implemented above the air diffuser system. This
propeller was secured to a rod, such that it and the rod were
able to rotate freely. The relative height of the propeller system
was able to be moved vertically along the rod, through the use
of threads, and anchored in place, relative to the rod, with nuts.
Securing off the threaded rod was accomplished through the use
of a super structure designed above the diffuser membrane.
This structure was able to allow for rotation of the propeller
system, and subsequently rod, without allowing for horizontal
movements.
2 Copyright © 2012 by ASME
 Table 1:: Illustrates the power reclamation ability of the two
This system was able to have multiple blade systems attached main blade systems analyzed. Systems were compared at a
to it at varying depths. This study examines the use of a single depth of 43 cm (17 in), at a flow rate of 2.3 x 10-4 m3/s (2
propeller system only. A DC motor was affixed to the top of the CFM).
threaded rod through the use of an adaptor. This motor was
manually held in place, such the motor shaft was rotated by the Blade Voltage(V) Current(A) Power(W)
propeller system, affixed to the threaded rod. fan blade 9.1 0.065 0.5915
propeller blade 11.1 0.066 0.73

SOTE Analysis of the propeller system was conducted at this

depth. These results are consistent with what is believed
believe to be
true, in that at the diffuser, the current will be very
v low and at
D A the diffuser itself,
self, where there has been no generation of power
due to the buoyancy force. Furthermore, it is known that there
C
is a natural diffusion in the bubble column, as it approaches
ap the
top water surface.

E 0.8

B 0.6

Power(W)
0.4

0.2

0
0 20 40 60 80
Figure 5:: Design of implemented system. Identity of corresponding parts:
A. Stabilizer, B. Support rods, C. Propeller rod, D. threaded rod. E. Depth (cm)
Diffuser.

Power was calculated using the formula Figure 6:: Graph of power generation vs. depth, Used to evaluate the point
of highest current flow.

  ∗   (1)
As predicted the system was able to produce helical sweeps
Voltage and current where measured at depths of 23 cm (9in), comprised of high and low densities of bubbles. This is
43cm (17in), 63 cm (25in) and 77 cm (30.25 in)), relative to the illustrated in Fig. 8.
surface of the water, in steady state. Voltage and current was
generated through the use of a VEXTA model PH265MPH265M-31B
DC motor, actingg as a DC generator. Values were provided by
the use of a Craftsman Digital Multimeter.

RESULTS:
Two different profiles of 17 cm in diameter blade systems were
selected. One blade profile was designed with intent to move
air, a fan blade, and the other system was designed with intent
to move water, a propeller blade. Other blade geometries were
tested, and resulted in very low torque generation these blade
systems were compared at 2.3 x 10-4 m3/s (22 CFM CFM) with a
pressure of 55kPa (8 psi), at a depth of 25 cm (10 in) Of water.

Four different height levels were taken as in this experiment. As
illustrated in Fig 7, the maximum power generation occurred at
a depth of 25.4 cm (10 in) below the surface of the water.
Results are given in Table 1. These results show that the
propeller blade was able to generate more torque, resulting in a
greater electrical power.
Figure 7:: An image taken of the propeller blade, while in use. Image was
taken at 7.05 x 10-4 m3/s (1.5 CFM),, at a depth of approximately 38 cm (15
in).
An SOTE analysis was conducted on this propeller system. A
comparison between the industrial standard air diffuser without
propeller, with propeller and with fan blade was done. This
analysis was conducted using three Dissolved Oxygen probes
were placed at depths of 10 cm (4in), 63cm (25in), and 99cm
(39in),, with respect to the surface of the water.
water Sodium sulfite
3 Copyright © 2012 by ASME
was added into the system, to remove dissolved oxygen from
the system. [3] SANITAIRE brand products, reprinted with permission by
the Water Pollution Control Corporation Environmental
The results of this SOTE analysis are shown in Fig. 9, indicates Protection Agency (EPA) Wastewater Research Division.
that there is a drop in efficiency as a result of using this system. Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory. Cincinnati,
This drop in SOTE can be attributed to the reduction of the Ohio.
water current, due to the use of a blade designed.
[4] Dani, D. Guiraud. P. and Cockx, A., 2006, "Local
16 Measurement Of Oxygen Transfer Around A Single Bubble By
14 Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence" Journal of Chemical
Engineering, Volume 62, Issue 24, December 2007, Pages
12
Percent SOTE

Without 7245–7252.
10
proppler
8 [5] Chudoba, J., Ottova, V. And Madera, V., 1973, Control of
6 With propller Activated Sludge Filamentous Bulking-I. Effect of The
4 Hydraulic Regime Or Degree of Mixing In An Aeration Tank.
2 With Fan Water Research Pergamon Press Vol. 7 Pp 1163-1182.
0
0.2 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.2 1.4 1.6
Air flow rate(10-3m3/s)

Figure 8: Graphical results from SOTE analysis for standard rubber

membrane, indicating a drop in SOTE, when a propeller and fan were
used.

The current within the system, as illustrated in Fig 4, is

responsible for the circulation of water through the tank, which
is a key factor in water aeration. On the other hand it was found
that the SOTE was slightly higher with fan as it did not extract
power as the propeller did.

Conclusion
Based upon the finding through this study, the Authors would
not recommend this propeller system. This type of geometry
has been shown to decrease effectiveness, of water aeration,
when placed in conjunction with industrial standard. This was
caused by a reduction in the circulating currents, mixing, that
exist within the tank. SOTE drop was little bit less with the fan
system because it extracted less power form the system. This
finding agrees with Chudoba et al. [5] finding that more mixing
cause improve the SOTE for the system. To achieve this project
goals a new propeller should be designed to induce mixing and
extract power without affecting SOTE.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to thank:
• Xylam Company for funding this project.
• The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Engineering
machine shop for assistance in manufacturing of parts.

REFERENCES

[1] American Society of Civil Engineering, 1984, ASCE

Standard: Measurement of Oxygen Transfer in Clean Water.
New York, N.Y.

[2] Tecpro Engergy Systems, 2011, tube diffusers.

http://www.diffuseraerationsystem.com/tube-diffuser.html.
4 Copyright © 2012 by ASME

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