Improving wastewater mixing and oxygenation efficiency with solar-powered circulation
Hudnell, H.K. (2011), Clean Technology and Environmental Policy
Electrical grid-powered aeration is used in most pond-based systems and equalization basins at activated sludge wastewater treatment plants to provide the mixing and oxygenation that enables bacteria to digest organic-matter. Oxygen also is needed in the near-surface water of all ponds and basins to provide an ‘‘odor cap’’ by oxidizing malodorous sulfur compounds, preventing their release to air. Much more aeration typically is needed to mix than oxygenate the wastewater. This imbalance causes an operational inefficiency in that grid-power is used to supply more oxygen than needed.