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Description: Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers
Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers
Aeration systems are a key element of successful biological treatment at water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs). Aeration typically comprises the largest electrical demand at wastewater facilities, therefore proper diffuser selection and operation is key to managing electrical costs at facilities while meeting treatment objectives. This fact sheet is part of a series on liquid stream fundamentals.
Author(s)
Water Environment Federation
Contributing authorsBryce DankerPhill Yi
SourceFact Sheet of the Water Science and Engineering Center
Project IDWSEC-2017-FS-026
CommitteeMRRDC
Sub CommitteeWEFTEC Session 306
Document typeFact Sheet
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Print publication date Oct 2017
Volume / Issue
Content sourceWater Science and Engineering Center
First / last page(s)1 - 7
Copyright2017
Word count2,879
Subject keywordsEnergyWastewater Treatment
Associated keywords:Design
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Description: Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers
Introduction
Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers
The primary purposes of aeration diffusers are to transfer oxygen into the process to support biological treatment and to provide minimum mixing energy to prevent solids from settling in the secondary reactors. Numerous materials are utilized to manufacture porous diffusers, which can be divided into two categories: rigid and flexible. Rigid diffusers are usually constructed from ceramic media...
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2017
Word count219
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Description: Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers
Process Description
Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers
Diffused aeration is utilized in biological treatment processes to facilitate oxygen transfer to the bulk liquid for chemical and biological reactions. Aerobic processes rely on chemoheterotrophic and chemoautotrophic metabolism in which oxygen is the electron acceptor. The amount of oxygen that must be transferred depends on the treatment goals for carbonaceous and nutrient reduction. Suspended...
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2017
Word count408
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Description: Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers
Aeration System Components
Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers
Air headers and droplegs. Header piping is used to convey the low pressure air from the blower system to the reactors. Common materials of construction include stainless steel or coated steel pipe. Mechanical expansion joints must be included in the pipe system to address thermal expansion. Droplegs convey the low pressure air from the main header to the diffusers located at the bottom of...
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2017
Word count767
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Description: Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers
Design
Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers
The design of diffused aeration systems begins with determining the oxygen demand of the process. The steps for this analysis are covered in detail in the Aeration Design factsheet. One key design factor for aerations systems is the alpha (?) factor. The alpha factor is the ratio of oxygen mass transfer rate in process water to that in clean water. The alpha factor represents the reduction in...
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2017
Word count467
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Description: Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers
Operation and Maintenance
Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers
Aeration diffuser operation and maintenance (O&M) requirements will vary on a case-by-case basis for each facility and will be impacted by the manufacturer and site-specific conditions. The typical methods of diffuser operation and maintenance include, but are not limited to:
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2017
Word count750
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Description: Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers
WEF Resources
Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers


PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2017
Word count22
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Description: Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers
Other References
Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers
WEF Municipal Resource Recovery Design Committee
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2017
Word count168
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Liquid Stream Fundamentals: Diffusers
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