Updates to Sandy River Waste Water Treatment Plant
Fine Bubble Diffuser Aeration System
This upgrade will enhance the efficiency and the quality of the Sandy River Wastewater Treatment Plant's activated sludge process
This is accomplished in the following manner:
Aeration System
Aeration serves the dual purpose of providing dissolved oxygen and mixing of micro-organisms and wastewater in the aeration tank.
Aeration is usually provided by either diffused air or mechanical aeration systems.
Diffused air systems consist of a blower and a pipe distribution system that is used to bubble air into the micro-organisms. (See picture above)
Mechanical aeration systems consist of a pumping mechanism that disperses water droplets through the atmosphere (like a fountain).
Diffused Air System
Diffused air systems are the most common types of aeration systems used in activated sludge plants.
The distribution system consists of numerous diffusers generally located near the bottom of the aeration tank.
The diffusers are located in this position to maximize the contact time of the air bubbles with mixed micro-organisms. This is accomplished by a more uniform distribution of air throughout the system.
Conclusion
Air circulation enhances the ability of the micro-organisms to break down the wastes being treated.
The same system is being installed in all three aeration basins at the Chester Sewer District's Sandy River Wastewater Treatment Plant in addition to being installed in the facility's digester.
This system was installed at the Chester Sewer District's Rocky Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant facility in 2000. This resulted in thousands of dollars in savings of electrical costs to our customers.
It is our belief that substantial savings will be realized at the Sandy River facility as a result of this upgrade.
Additional pictures: (Click on small pictures to see larger versions)
Chester Sewer District