Diffused Aeration System Maintenance
By: Tom Frankel
Post Date: December 7th 2016
Aeration systems but specifically those with fine bubble diffusers may require routine but usually infrequent maintenance. You should be monitoring the following:
Air Volume (You can look at amp draw from your blowers if you don’t have flow meters so long as pressure has been constant).
Blower Discharge Pressure (Have a pressure gauge installed at the blower discharge but also try to monitor pressure as close as possible to the aeration system, either in drop pipes or using sensors inside of the submerged piping. You may be able to address rising pressure with a cleaning system.).
Bubble Pattern (Monitor this visually but SSI also offers a free analysis tool on our Technology Portal where you can analyze your bubble pattern. Print a report and save it for comparison later on).
Condensate Purging (You should set a schedule to open purge valves, if you are using airlifts for condensate removal. Have a look here in case you don’t know which kind of purge system you have.)
Solids (Some plants collect grit on the floor. Periodically you may want to use a sludge judge or ultrasonic sensor to detect floor sludge levels.)
Equipment (Submerged aeration equipment does age. Plastic gets brittle and rubber can stretch, shrink or harden. Support stand nuts, straps or anchors can come loose. It’s usually a good idea to catch these things before they happen. Install sensors or drain the tank periodically for inspection.)
Mr. Frankel co-founded SSI in 1995 with experience in design and distribution of engineered systems. He is in charge of sales, marketing and operations in the company. Mr. Frankel holds multiple US patents related to diffusers. He is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis.