Innovative passive aeration process for synthetic deoxygenated water

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aeration is a process of diffusing oxygen into water in order to stimulate the aerobic bacteria for starting wastewater aerobic treatment process. Zero energy aeration systems that do not require electric or mechanical power are known as passive aerators. A new technology for passive aerators using inverted bell siphon principle is innovated, which requires a lot less volume for its installation compared to other passive aeration systems as cascade, spray and perforated tray aerators. A laboratory experimental program investigated the inverted bell siphon system using deoxygenated water with almost zero dissolved oxygen concentration like anaerobic treatment effluent. The system is used to build water pressure through a distribution system used for scattering water in air to diffuse oxygen into it. Holed arm pipe with different hole diameters and numbers, showerhead, fire sprinkler and modified fire sprinkler were tested as distributors to reach the optimum type which verify good oxygen diffusion in water and ensure least possibility of clogging of distributors. Dissolved oxygen concentration was measured for each distributor water effluent. The experiments showed that the modified fire sprinkler achieved higher oxygen diffusion in water and best distribution, in addition to its geometry that prevents the distribution system from clogging.