Technical Bulletin 134 Factors Influencing Air Requirements to Treat Wastewater

by:

Environmental Dynamics International Published: 6/2005

DISCLAIMER

Technical Bulletins are presented as a service by Environmental Dynamics International headquartered in Columbia, Missouri USA. For additional more information regarding this particular bulletin or your specific aeration application contact Environmental D Dynamics International by calling +1.573.474.9456, toll free at +1.877.EDI.AIR8 (877.334 (877.334-2478), or via email at techbulletins@wastewater.com techbulletins@wastewater.com.

Technical Bulletin 134 Factor Influencing Air Requirements to Treat Wastewater Copyright Environmental Dynamics International 2012 All Rights Reserved

TECHNICAL BULLETIN 134 FACTORS INFLUENCING AIR REQUIREMENTS TO TREAT WASTEWATER T

When developing an aeration system design it is necessary to have sufficient data to allow the many factors which influence process air (oxygen) requirements to be properly evaluated. Some of the factors to be considered including those listed below: 1. 2. Depth of aeration basin Type of diffuser (efficiency) a. Fine b. Medium c. Coarse bubble Geometry of diffusers in aeration basin. 2 Energy level in the aeration basin (Hp/1000 ft ). Organic loading to the reactor: a. Type of waste b. Concentration (mg/L) c. Total mass loading (lb/d or kg/d) Process to be supported by aeration, i.e. extended aeration, actuated sludge, partial mix lagoon, etc. Site elevation Waste temperature Submergence depth of diffuser Dissolved oxygen concentration to be maintained in the bioreactor

3. 4. 5.

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Facts 1.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Once the process oxygen requirements for treating your wastewater are known, the air volume can be calculated to provide oxygen for your treatment system. Process oxygen may be reported as AOR (actual oxygenation rate or requirements). All aeration devices measure performance under standard conditions (SOR or Standard Oxygenation Rate). Standard conditions for oxygen transfer is defined as 1atm ambient pressure, 20C water temperature, 0mg/L operating DO, and clean potable water. It is much more difficult to transfer oxygen into wastewater under field conditions verses under standard conditions. Efficiencies of aeration devices under standard conditions are presented as SOTE (standard oxygen transfer efficiency). To convert efficiencies measured under standard conditions to field or actual conditio conditions, SOTE values must be reduced by a field correction factor. This factor is generally referred to as AOR/SOR or actual oxygenation rate/standard oxygenation rate.

Refer to EDI Technical Bulletin 128 to estimate your oxygen requirements requirements.

Technical Bulletin 134 Factor Influencing Air Requirements to Treat Wastewater Copyright Environmental Dynamics International 2012 All Rights Reserved

7.

8.

Typical adjustments for AOR/SOR are 0.3 to 0.6, i.e., field transfers for oxygen are only 30-60% the efficiency measured under standard conditions by the manufacturer. (See 60% technical analysis of AOR/SOR computations below). Caution - One of the greatest potential errors in estimating air requirements is the effect of elevation. Please note plants operating at more that 500 ft (155 m) elevation must plants have careful consideration of elevation effects on AOR/SOR.

Adjust Clean Water Transfer Characteristics for Field Conditions:

Technical Bulletin 134 Factor Influencing Air Requirements to Treat Wastewater Copyright Environmental Dynamics International 2012 All Rights Reserved