Aeration System Analyses

The performance of aeration systems in activated sludge tanks determines in great part the energy consumption and the treatment efficiency of whole wastewater treatment plants. Experts in CLEWATEC work closely with industrial partners, municipal plant operators and other research institutions in the study and optimization of aeration systems. The advanced measuring instruments and test facilities of CLEWATEC are available to conduct analyses of aeration systems in terms of:

  • Oxygen transfer rate and efficiency
  • Gas bubble size
  • Mixing efficiency
  • Contaminant removal

Undeveloped optimization potential of existing systems is revealed through these analyses, allowing our partners to reduce operational costs, minimize environmental impacts, and gain major competitive advantages. Apart from working on existing systems, active research on breakthrough technologies that go well beyond traditional approaches is also conducted in our facilities.

Activated sludge bubble column at ROFEX-scanner (left) and reconstructed gas bubbles in activated sludge (right)

 

Instrumentation

Flow Measurement Systems

  • Flow rate sensors
  • Ultrasound measurement systems
  • Laser doppler anemometry (LDA)
  • Particle image velocimetry (PIV)
  • Laser induced fluorescence (LIF)
  • Phase doppler particle analyzer (PDPA)

Flow Imaging Systems

  • X-ray tomography
  • Gamma tomography
  • Wire-mesh sensors
  • Ultrasound imagers
  • Process microscopy