CIVL 309

WATER AND WASTEWATER

TREATMENT
Nana Ackerson, Ph.D.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana
Aeration
• Aeration is the process by which air is circulated through, mixed with or
dissolved in a liquid or substance.
• It brings water and air in close contact to remove dissolved gases (H2S, CO2)
and to oxidize dissolved metals (Fe2+, Mn2+) and volatile organic chemicals
(VOCs) (e.g. phenols).
• Aeration is typically the first major process at drinking water treatment plant.
• Aeration exposes drops or thin sheets of water to the air or introduces small
bubbles of air and gases rise through the water.
• The efficiency of aeration depends on the amount of surface contact between
air and water (i.e. size of the water drop or air bubble).
Two Film Model: Gas and Liquid

Cs: saturation concentration

Absorption Mode Ct: actual concentration Desorption Mode
Aeration
• It is used to remove undesirable gases dissolved in water
(gasification)
• It is used to add oxygen to water to convert undesirable substances to
a more manageable form (oxidation).
• Gasification and oxidation are governed by gas transfer
• Aeration is often used to treat groundwater than surface water.
Gases in Groundwater and their Effects
• Groundwater may contain gases like CO2 and H2S.
✓biological waste products from bacterial decomposition of organic
matter in the soil
✓By-products of reduction of sulphur from mineral deposits.
✓Excess CO2 concentration causes corrosive water and interfere
with other treatment processes.
✓H2S impact unpleasant taste and odour to water.
• Aeration of supersaturated water speed the release of the gases toward
equilibrium conditions.
Removal of Iron and Manganese
• Fe2+ and Mn2+ are soluble in significant quantities in water in the
absence of oxygen.
• In the presence of oxidising agents they are transformed to insoluble
ionic complexes.
• 4𝐹𝑒 2+ + 𝑂2 + 10𝐻2 𝑂 → 4𝐹𝑒(𝑂𝐻)3 ↓ +8𝐻 + Precipitates

• 2𝑀𝑛2+ + 𝑂2 + 2𝐻2 𝑂 → 2𝑀𝑛𝑂2 ↓ +4𝐻 +

Removal of Fe2+ and Mn2+

• Appreciable quantities of Fe2+ and Mn2+ are found in groundwater.

• Also substantial amounts are observed in the hypolimnion of stratifies
lakes.
• They can be removed in these media by supplying oxygen necessary
to produce insoluble forms.
• KMnO4 can be used alone or combined with aeration to facilitate the
removal of Fe2+ and Mn2+.
 Types of
aerators

Gravity or
Air diffuser
free fall Spray aerator
aerator
aerator

Cascade Inclined Slat tray Gravel bed

aerator apron aerator aerator aerator
 Cascade Aerator
• Water is allowed to fall down a
number of steps by gravity.
• Large surface area of water is exposed
to the atmosphere.
• Simplest of free fall aerators
• Can be constructed of concrete or
metals
• It can be used to oxidise iron and
partially remove dissolved gases
• 50 – 60% CO2 reduction
Inclined Apron Aerator
• Water falls along inclined
plane/apron.
• Breaking up water due to
apron cause agitation
• Agitation increases contact
of air and water i.e. water
jumps into the atmosphere
causing more aeration.
 Slate Tray
• Consist of closely stacked super
imposed wood slat trays.
• Water is evenly sprayed on top tray
• Water trickles from one tray to the
other
• Air is supplied at the bottom with
the help of a blower (air flow is in
upward direction)
• Ventilator discharges air and gases
Gravel Bed Aerator
• Water is sprayed at the top and
it trickles down cascading bed
of coke, limestone or
anthracite as air is blown
upwards
• Thickness of gravel bed is 1 –
1.5 m
• Most effectively removes CO2.
Trickling Beds
• 3 – 4 trays are kept filled with
coke or stone
• Thickness of bed is 0.5-0.6 m
• Distance between trays is 0.5
m
• Water is sprayed from
distribution pipe at the top
Spray aerators
• Applied for absorption of oxygen
and/or desorption of gases.
• They have special nozzles to
distribute water into air in the form
of droplets on a stationary pipe
system.
• Requires relatively large area to
collect the water.
• It removes odour, taste and colour
from water and increases dissolved
oxygen concentrations
Air diffuser Aerator
• Air is introduced into liquid
being aerated in the form of
bubble which typically rises
through the liquid
• Removes taste and odour
gases.