Fine Bubble Diffusers | SSI Aeration

Why Are Fine Bubble Diffusers Important

The primary wastewater treatment phase uses physical processes to remove solid waste from wastewater. The secondary wastewater treatment phase is a biological process that uses beneficial microorganisms to break down more solid wastewater impurities. Aeration is a crucial part of the secondary water treatment phase, feeding microorganisms the oxygen that allows them to metabolize organic matter in the water.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of fine bubble membrane diffusers product. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

During the secondary wastewater treatment phase, aeration tanks push oxygen into diffusers with small openings on their surface. These openings create small bubbles as they come into contact with the water in the aeration tank. The bubbles that a diffuser produces feed oxygen to microorganisms in the tank. Feeding the bacteria in the tank helps them produce enzymes to break down organic matter faster.

Adding oxygen to the tank also mixes the wastewater and keeps solids suspended, preventing excess sludge buildup. After the waste breaks down, it settles into the secondary clarifiers or a settling tank. As the biosolids combine, they create a sludge that the wastewater treatment plant can then pump back into the aeration tank to introduce new microorganisms that can break down more waste.

Since the aeration process can account for anywhere from 30% to 70% of a plant&#;s total energy consumption, it&#;s crucial to have the right equipment for wastewater treatment. Having the right aeration equipment can reduce energy consumption and lower costs. Fine bubble aeration diffusers deliver more oxygen to microorganisms while using less power, making them an energy-efficient option.

How Do Fine Bubble Diffusers Work?

Fine bubble diffuser systems save energy by producing efficient aeration and oxygen transfer. A wastewater treatment system&#;s Standard Aeration Efficiency (SAE) is the amount of oxygen the blowers diffuse into wastewater per horsepower hour. Fine bubble diffusers can produce over twice as much oxygen mass with half as much air as coarse diffusers.

Standard Oxygen Transfer Efficiency (SOTE) indicates how the diffused oxygen mixes with wastewater to carry out the aeration process. Fine bubble membrane diffusers release smaller-diameter bubbles during the aeration process than coarse bubble diffusers. Fine bubble diffusers typically diffuse bubbles with a diameter of 1 to 3 millimeters. These bubbles provide 2% or more SOTE during the aeration process, twice the amount of oxygen that coarse bubble diffusers can produce.

Fine pore diffusers produce an abundance of small bubbles, primarily due to speed and surface area. Small bubbles rise more slowly than larger bubbles, allowing the air and water to combine for a longer period and dispersing more oxygen throughout the water. Additionally, an abundance of small bubbles can cover a larger surface area than a few large bubbles.

In primary and secondary treatment of wastewater, aeration is often used as a method to remove organic matter. Immersed bubble aeration is particularly effective by spreading small air bubbles that mix with the wastewater and encourage aerobic bacteria to break down organic waste. In general, submerged bubble aeration provides a more advanced system than surface aeration, and many wastewater treatment facilities have moved in this direction.

However, there are two different types of bubble diffusers: fine bubble diffusers and coarse bubble diffusers. Choosing the best option for your facility will depend on your needs and priorities.

What is the difference between fine bubble and coarse bubble diffusers?

Although both fine and coarse bubble diffusers work through bubble aeration, it is important to identify some of the distinguishing features of their design and function to determine which one is suitable.

Fine bubble diffusers produce smaller diameter bubbles for the aeration process. These bubbles typically measure 1 to 3 millimeters in diameter. This type of fine bubble aeration typically provides 2% or more standard oxygen transfer efficiency (SOTE) during aeration. The tiny bubble diffusers themselves come in different diameters. At Fine Bubble Diffuser Suppliers, Inc., we offer 7-inch, 9-inch, and 12-inch fine bubble diffusers designed to improve performance and durability in municipal and industrial applications.

Fine Bubble Diffusers: Types

Fine bubble diffusers come in several different features and sophistications. Below, you will find a short list of some excellent bubble diffuser designs:

1. Records

Disk diffusers consist of an EPDM rubber membrane mounted on a plate.

We offer a unique PTFE coating on rubber membrane that is highly effective in preventing bacterial coating and dirt. When compressed air flows through the membrane, the rubber expands. This expansion opens up clusters of small holes and releases thousands of bubbles into the water.

Disk diffusers are very efficient in their functionality, but can be more complex to install than other diffuser types.

2.Tube

A tubular diffuser consists of a long, narrow plastic or ceramic cylinder surrounded by an EPDM rubber membrane. Likewise, when compressed air flows through rubber, the rubber expands, opening tiny pores and releasing small-diameter bubbles into the wastewater.

Such fine bubble diffusers tend to have a larger surface area and produce more bubbles than disc diffusers. They require a lower initial outlay than disc diffusers because they are simpler to install, although their long-term maintenance costs are not always lower.

3. Perforated pipe/foam pipe

Although disc diffusers and tube diffusers are the two main types of fine bubble diffusers, other types of fine bubble diffusers are also available, such as perforated tube or bubble tube diffusers. These consist of perforated plastic panels. Compressed air flows through and leaks out of the perforations.

Unlike disc and tube diffusers, there is no expansion or contraction of the material to open the holes.

Fine Bubble Diffusers: Advantages

Below you will find a discussion of some of the features that make disc and tube fine bubble diffusers an effective choice for wastewater treatment.

1. Efficient aeration

Standard aeration efficiency (SAE) is measured by the pounds of oxygen mixed into the wastewater per horsepower-hour produced by the blower driving the treatment system.

Fine bubble diffusers disperse more oxygen into the water column for more efficient aeration, typically producing at least twice as much oxygen mass as coarse bubble diffusers. Especially during secondary treatment, when wastewater must be purified to meet EPA removal standards of 85% organic matter, efficient aeration is a powerful asset.

The company is the world’s best cooling tower from china supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

2. Efficient oxygen transfer

Standard Oxygen Transfer Efficiency (SOTE) refers to the efficiency with which dispersed oxygen combines with water in order for the aeration process to occur. A large number of tiny bubbles, such as those produced with a fine bubble diffuser, can transfer more oxygen into the water column than a smaller number of larger bubbles.

The improvement in aerator oxygen transfer efficiency is the result of two factors:

Surface area: The cumulative surface area of a large number of small bubbles is much greater than that of a few large bubbles. When air and water come into contact at the bubble surface, the increased surface area allows for a higher rate of oxygen transfer.

Speed: Smaller bubbles rise more slowly than larger bubbles. This slower speed results in longer contact time between air and water and allows more oxygen to be distributed throughout the water column. Increased oxygen transfer time results in higher transfer efficiency.

In summary, the smaller bubbles produced by a fine bubble diffuser can accomplish approximately the same amount of oxygen transfer as half the air as required by a coarse bubble diffuser.

3. Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is one of the most attractive enhancements of fine bubble diffusers and is the main reason for their widespread adoption.

In a typical wastewater treatment facility, 50% of the electricity demand comes from the ventilation system. Energy-efficient diffusers reduce power requirements and provide significant cost savings for any treatment plant. Fine bubble diffusers are generally less expensive to operate than other types of aeration (such as coarse bubble aeration) in terms of the energy used. This is because fine bubble diffusers require less compressed air and therefore less demand on the blowers that drive the aeration system.

Request a quote

Now that we have discussed fine bubble diffusers and their pros and cons, let&#;s look at some of the pros and cons of coarse bubble diffusers.

Coarse Bubble Diffuser: Advantages

Below you will find a discussion of the best selling points of coarse bubble diffusers for wastewater treatment systems:

1. High Alpha Factor

Coarse bubble diffusers have larger holes, which means the diffuser is less prone to fouling than fine bubble diffusers. Bacteria and biosolids are less likely to become trapped and encrusted in perforations. This keeps the diffuser operating efficiently and reduces back pressure that would otherwise cause wear and tear on the blower.

2. Strong mixing

The larger bubbles produced by the coarse bubble diffuser have greater volume, expel more waste liquid, and therefore produce more mixing power. Biosolids remain suspended and are less likely to form unwanted sludge. The effective mixing of the coarse bubble diffuser aids in the decomposition of organic waste, thanks to its powerful combination of oxygen, bacteria and waste.

3. Low maintenance costs

Coarse bubble diffusers have larger holes, which means the diffuser is less likely to clog and doesn't require frequent cleaning with a pressure washer or hand brush. This low maintenance saves treatment facilities money and time.

4.Persistence

Enhanced stain resistance means diffusers will wear out and need to be replaced less frequently. The reduction in replacement burden also saves money.

Why is fine bubble diffusion better than coarse bubble diffusion?

When discussing underground aeration systems, there may be a misconception that because bubble diffusion systems are effective at mixing the water column, they must be effective at increasing the oxygen content in the water. Although they are great at mixing water, they add very little oxygen to the water and require more energy to operate than fine bubble diffusion aeration.

Benefits of Fine Bubble Diffusion

Aeration efficiency: The size of the bubbles ultimately determines how much air is added to the water column. Smaller bubbles have more surface area to hold oxygen and rise more slowly than larger bubbles, making them almost twice as efficient at delivering oxygen to the water.

Fine bubble diffusers are easier to install and maintain: Stadium bubble diffusers usually have to be fixed to the ground, which means the water must be drained off and surface sludge cleared before installation! The fine bubble diffuser simply drops into the water and, if a float is attached to the weighted base, can be easily pulled out and cleaned when necessary.

Fine bubble diffusers are less prone to clogging: Rough bubbles mean larger holes in the diffuser membrane, which makes them more susceptible to clogging. If the diffuser becomes clogged, it can cause back pressure issues that can cause damage to the air compressor.

You might want to see

If you want to learn more, please visit our website galvanized steel water tank.