In a typical wastewater treatment facility, aeration and agitation blowers account for over 50 percent of the energy used during operations. For this reason, nearly everyone in the business chain -- from suppliers and design engineers to the end users -- devote a lot of attention to them. It's an area where energy conservation efforts can make a difference. Though higher volumes of energy are used, these blowers are a ... Read More
In a typical wastewater treatment facility, aeration and agitation blowers account for over 50 percent of the energy used during operations. For this reason, nearly everyone in the business chain -- from suppliers and design engineers to the end users -- devote a lot of attention to them. It's an area where energy conservation efforts can make a difference. Though higher volumes of energy are used, these blowers are a necessity in the treatment of these waters.
While there are some sectors whose applications require just one operating point that consists of discharge pressure and design flow, this typically isn't the case when it comes to municipal wastewater treatment facilities. Instead, their applications usually consist of a range of discharge pressures and flows. Whether the application requires single stage regenerative blowers or two stage regenerative blowers, it's important to understand the variability that exists within the treatment process and use that knowledge to optimize blower performance.
Wastewater Treatment Basics
Wastewater discharge that depletes the oxygen in the water -- not sewage itself -- is the primary reason for aquatic life destruction. These organisms cannot be adequately supported once the water's dissolved oxygen has been depleted by microbial metabolism. The processes utilized by today's wastewater treatment plants are designed to both accelerate and concentrate the pollutants' metabolism so the impact on the water receiving the substance is minimized.
Functions of Blowers
There are several functions expected of single stage regenerative blowers and two stage regenerative blowers that are used in a wastewater treatment plant. In order to metabolize the organic compounds that are in the wastewater, the blower supplies the necessary oxygen. In order for the microorganisms to be able to use the oxygen effectively, it must be dissolved in the wastewater. Tiny bubbles used by diffusers are an efficient way of doing so.
Oxygen is also necessary so the microorganisms can perform the process of nitrification -- or converting ammonia into nitrate. In many applications, nitrification represents about half of the process oxygen demand.
Mixed liquor is located in the aeration basin and is a combination of wastewater and sludge. Here, too, the blower's function is invaluable. It must supply the air needed in the mixed liquor so that the sludge is suspended. Additionally, the aeration basin's contents are kept homogeneous from the mixing. Typically, the minimum airflow rate is determined by the mixing limitations of the plants themselves instead of oxygen demand.
Venting Basics for Wastewater Treatment Plants
Given the environment that exists within wastewater treatment plants, ventilation is a crucial component of employee safety, performance and function. Using explosion proof high velocity fans mitigates hazards that might arise because of flammable agents such as dust, odors and similar concerns. Effective ventilation practices are also effective at reducing humidity and moisture. While these elements are expected in an environment like a wastewater treatment plant, keeping the levels as low as possible protects equipment and increases its lifespan.
Industrial Fans Direct specializes in providing the air movement solutions that today's challenging applications require. Whether you need blowers for aeration, fans for ventilation or both, expert help is available by calling 866.727.1060.