AERATORS

Anirudh Kumar

Mixing of air in water by breaking the water in to droplets is called aeration and the equipments
used in this purpose is called aerators.

Types of aerators

Aerators are classified into following groups.

 Gravity aerators
 Surface aerators
 Turbine aerators
 Cascades or Falls

Gravity aerators

Gravity aerators are simple to construct and are reliable. These are the most common type of
aerators used in small semi-intensive shrimp farms. In this method water is allowed to rise
above, the pond/tank level and then to fall freely in the pond or tank through atmosphere, where
water comes in contact with oxygen and thus aeration is done. In simple water falling and
splashing into pond and aeration is done.

During the process of water raising or falling, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.
That serves to break apart the falling water. When water is broken into droplets, the area over
which the diffusion can take place is increased, thereby increasing the dissolved oxygen of the
water.

Gravity aerators

Perforated tray model

The water falls through a screen or perforated plate that breakup the falling stream of water and
there by aeration is done. One meter tall aerator can usually aerate water to 70-80% saturation.
Gravity aerators

Gravity driven paddle wheel model

A gravity driven paddle wheel is also effective. The falling water turns the paddle wheel. The
paddle wheel throws more water into the air and sometimes traps the air below the surface of
water.
Gravity aerators

Plastic rings or wheel model

A recent and some what popular aeration system includes the use of specially designed plastic
rings or wheels. These rings have a fringed interior walls or spokes. As water passes through a
column or drum filled with these, the water is effectively broken up and the aeration is done.

Surface Aerators

Surface aerators increase the surface area of culture medium by agitating it again some sort of
mechanical device. Dissolved oxygen rises when the surface water is thrown up and mixes with
the air above the water and then falls back down into the pond or tanks. There are three
commonly used surface aerators.

 Nozzles
 Spray aerators
 Floating paddle wheel aerator

Nozzles
Nozzles are generally used in round tanks water from a pump is sent downward through a nozzle
towards the surface water. When this water hits the surface water, there is considerable amount
of turbulence on the water surface. This turbulence is due to transfer of energy of water leaving
the nozzle. Besides increasing the dissolved oxygen in pond water, nozzle aerators also set up
circular water flow.
Spray aerators

Spray aerators are generally built as floating propellers. The propeller is beneath the water
surface and as it turns it brings sub surface water up and into the air. The rate of oxygen transfer
depends upon size and depth of the propeller and the speed at which the propeller turns.

Floating paddle wheel aerators

Floating paddle wheel aerators are very popular in semi-intensive shrimp farms. They are
considered as one of the most energy efficient device for increasing dissolved oxygen. They
splash water into the air as the paddle wheel rotates. The splashed water comes in contact with
air and falls back into the pond and thereby increasing the dissolved oxygen. Besides increasing
the dissolved oxygen they also increase both horizontal and vertical movement of pond water.
The amount of oxygen that is transferred to the water increases with size and speed of paddle
wheel.

Turbine Aerators

Turbine aerators are also called as propeller diffuse aerators. A turbine aerator is basically a
submerged propeller. Rather than injecting air into water it is simply a device that increases the
circulation in the pond or tank, which results in greater surface aeration. A turbine aerator
consists of a rotating hollow shaft attached to an electric motor. A diffuser and a propeller
(impeller) are located at one end of the shaft and are submerged. The unit is supported at the
water surface with a float assembly so that a hole in the opposite end of the shaft near motor
remains above the water surface.

Cascades or Falls

Water is allowed to fall down in a series of steps or falls, over with water tumble in a thin sheet
and discharge as a fountain into the pond.
Placement of the aerators

Proper placement of aerator in ponds plays an important role in efficient mixing of water
throughout ponds. In rectangular pond, the best position is to place the aerator at the middle of
one of the long sides of the pond directing water parallel to the short side of the pond. Placement
of aerator in the corner of the pond to direct water diagonally across the pond should be avoided.
Depending upon size and shape of the pond, the placement pattern of the aerators aimed to
achieve the best water circulation will vary. Water circulation in the pond is important in
breaking up the stratification of water parameters such as oxygen, temperature and salinity.
Positioning of the aerators in the pond should be decided taking into consideration the prevailing
wind direction so as to effectively distribute the oxygen saturated water all over the pond and to
promote the water circulation in it.