logo
logo
Sign in

Understanding The Top Benefits Of Aeration In Wastewater Treatment

avatar
Xylem Nz
Understanding The Top Benefits Of Aeration In Wastewater Treatment

Wastewater aeration is the process of aerating or adding air into wastewater being treated to allow aerobic biodegradation of the pollutants. It is an important part of biological treatment systems. Unlike the use of chemicals that react and stabilize the contaminants in the wastewater, biological treatment of wastewater uses microorganisms occurring naturally in wastewater to degrade contaminants in the wastewater. 

When to use wastewater aeration 

In the industrial and municipal treatment of wastewater, aeration is part of the secondary treatment process. The sludge process is the most common option when it comes to the secondary treatment of wastewater. Aeration is based on pumping air into the tank which promotes the growth of microbial in the wastewater. These microbes then feed on organic material that forms flocks that can settle out. 

Once the flock has settled out in a separate settling tank, the bacteria that form the activated sludge flocks are then recirculated back to the aeration basin to aid in decomposition. 

How aeration works 

Wastewater aeration equipment is used to provide oxygen to bacteria for treating the wastewater. Oxygen is usually needed by the bacteria to facilitate biodegradation. The oxygen supplied is then used by bacteria in the wastewater to effectively break down the organic matter containing carbon to form water and carbon dioxide. 

Without sufficient oxygen, bacteria will not be able to biodegrade the organic matter in a reasonable time. When oxygen is not available, degradation will happen under septic conditions which are odorous, slow and yield incomplete pollutants conversions. 

The benefits of aeration 

Wastewater aeration is the most important component of the wastewater treatment system using activated sludge processes. A well-designed aeration system has an impact on the wastewater treatment level achieved. An evenly and ample distributed supply of oxygen in an aeration system is the key to economically viable, rapid and effective wastewater treatment.

collect
0
avatar
Xylem Nz
guide
Zupyak is the world’s largest content marketing community, with over 400 000 members and 3 million articles. Explore and get your content discovered.
Read more