Aeration is an essential process in the majority of wastewater treatment processes, and accounts for the largest fraction of plant energy costs. Aeration systems can achieve wastewater oxygenation by shearing the surface (surface aerators) or releasing bubbles at the bottom of the tank (coarse- or fine-bubble aerators). Surfactants accumulate on gas–liquid interfaces and reduce mass transfer rates. This reduction in general is larger for fine-bubble aerators. This study was conducted to evaluate mass transfer effects on the characterization and specification of aeration systems in clean and process water conditions. Tests at different interfacial turbulence regimes were analysed, showing higher gas transfer depression for lower turbulence regimes. Higher turbulence regimes can offset contamination effects, at the expense of operating efficiency. This phenomenon is characteristic of surface aerators and coarse bubble diffusers and is here discussed. The results explain the variability of α factors measured at small scale, due to uncontrolled energy density. Results are also reported in dimensionless empirical correlations that describe mass transfer as a function of physiochemical and geometrical characteristics of the aeration process.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Research Article|
November 01 2006
Surfactant effects on alpha factors in full-scale wastewater aeration systems Available to Purchase
D. Rosso;
1Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, 5714 Boelter Hall, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1593, USA (E-mail: [email protected])
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for other works by this author on:
L.E. Larson;
L.E. Larson
1Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, 5714 Boelter Hall, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1593, USA (E-mail: [email protected])
Search for other works by this author on:
M.K. Stenstrom
M.K. Stenstrom
1Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, 5714 Boelter Hall, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1593, USA (E-mail: [email protected])
Search for other works by this author on:
Water Sci Technol (2006) 54 (10): 143–153.
Citation
D. Rosso, L.E. Larson, M.K. Stenstrom; Surfactant effects on alpha factors in full-scale wastewater aeration systems. Water Sci Technol 1 November 2006; 54 (10): 143–153. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2006.768
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
eBook
Pay-Per-View Access
$38.00