SAB 2912-Water Treatment

5.1 AERATION

Objectives:

1. To eliminate unneeded dissolved gases such as (CO2, H2S, NH3)

- Remove unpleasant taste and odour-causing substances (H 2S,
NH3)H2S, NH3)
- Increase water pH. This results to a decrease in water corrosive
property (CO2)
- Remove substances that interfere with or add to the cost of
subsequent water treatment processes (CO2).

2. To increase DO level in water

- primarily for oxidation of Fe2+ and Mn2+ to Fe3+ and Mn4+ respectively
- increase the water freshness

3. To remove VOC
- hazardous to public health such as gasoline elements – benzene,
toluene, xylene.

Types of Aeration Equipment

1. Cascade Aerator
2. Multiple Platform Aerator
3. Venturi Aerator
4. Draft-Tube Aerator

The object of all designs is to maximize the area of contact between the water and
the air.

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Design of Cascade Aerators

circular tray

collection basin

feed pipe
ground level

These aerators consist of circular trays stacked one above the other, with a central
feed pipe. The spacing between trays varies from 460 mm to 760 mm with a total
height of fall being calculated from Gameson’s Formula which is:

r = 1+ 0.5 (a x b x h)

where

r = the ratio of the oxygen deficit just before the aerator to that just after the
aerator.

The “oxygen deficit” is the difference between the actual oxygen content for the
water at that temperature and pressure.

a = level of water pollution

1.25 in slightly polluted water
1.0 in moderately polluted water
0.85 in sewage effluents
b = types of weir
1.00 for a free fall weir
1.30 for a stepped weir
h = the total height of the fall in metres

Aeration occurs in splash area. The collection basin area is sized according to the
loading rate of 49 m3/hour/m2.
Generally the head required at a cascade aerator range from 1 to 3 m.

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 SAB 2912-Water Treatment

Example

From samples taken, the DO content of a raw water is 4.5 mg/L whereas at
saturation point at average temperature of 26 oC and pressure of 755 mm Hg, the
DO is 8.2 mg/L. The water inflow is 390 m3/hour.
Design a cascade aerator.

Solution

For treatment requirements, it is sufficient to raise the DO to 80% of that at

saturation condition.

i.e. 0.8 x 8.2 = 6.56 mg/L.

Applying Gameson’s Formula for slightly polluted water and a stepped weir,

r = 1 + 0.5 (a x b x h)

r = (8.2 – 4.5)/(8.2 – 6.56)

= 2.256

Therefore, 2.256 = 1 + (1.25 x 1.30 x h)

h = 1.55 m

Taking the flow rate to be 49 m3/hour/m2,

Area of collection basin = 390 / 49

= 7.95 m2

Hence, if D is the minimum diameter of collection basin,

 D2/4 = 7.95
D = 3.2 m

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 SAB 2912-Water Treatment

CASCADE AERATOR

Water
Basin

Platforms

MULTIPLE PLATFORM AERATOR

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 SAB 2912-Water Treatment

Perforated Pipe

Air supply

Venturi
Throat

Aerated
Raw Water
Water

VENTURI AERATOR

Aerated
Water

Raw
Water

Sludge

DRAFT TUBE AERATOR

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