Aeration plants: definition, types, principle of operation, production plants and do-it-yourself tips

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

When a residential building is being built, it is necessary to provide systems, without which a comfortable life is unthinkable. This includes sewerage, heating and water supply. Sewerage arrangement is expressed not only in the laying of pipelines that will remove sewage from plumbing fixtures, but also in the installation of a ventilation pipe, which is also called a fan pipe.

If such a riser is not provided for at the construction stage, or during operation it will not cope with its tasks, then a sewer aerator can be installed. But aeration plants can also have another purpose. Their types, principles of operation and features of the installation will be discussed below.

Main types of installations and their descriptions

Today, two main types of aerators are known- sewer and for artificial or natural reservoirs. The first can be:

• kinetic;
• automatic;
• combined.

Kinetic aerators eliminate the accumulation of large volumes of air in the sewer pipe. An automatic aerator is needed to remove high pressure air from the sewer. As for combined aerators, they combine the functions of automatic and kinetic valves.

Combination valve features

In order to ensure the smooth operation of the sewer, a combination valve should be installed. As for aeration plants for the pond, they are stationary and mobile. The former are installed and operated constantly, while stationary ones can be used on several reservoirs. Such installations also differ in the way they are located. They may be superficial. This should include aggregates that move freely on the surface. The principle of their action can be gushing.

There are also coastal or bottom aerators, which are the most efficient. Combined aerators for ponds are more often surface. There is a compressor unit located on the shore and supplying compressed air, which is dissipated in the upper layers of water through a floating head. Aeration plants for ponds can also be wind-driven. It is a floating or pole-mounted structure. The blades are driven by the wind.

Principlesewer aerator operation

The sewer aerator is also called a valve and is a compact plastic device. It has a hole for air supply, and inside there is a channel and a damper. The former is necessary for the passage of air, while the damper is actuated by a stem or membrane.

Additionally about the features of the work

The principle of operation of such a device is based on the simple laws of physics. When water is drained in the sewer system, a vacuum is created, which helps to reduce the size of the pressure. At the same time, a membrane opens inside the valve, which facilitates the penetration of air through a special vent. When the pressure is equalized, the air flow stops flowing, as the rod falls into place, and in fact it activates the membrane. The valve in the closed position prevents the penetration of foreign odors into the room.

The principle of operation of pond aerators

Pond aeration plants, as mentioned above, can be of different types, which determines their purpose. For example, fountain-type surface installations work according to the following principle: the pump draws water into itself and throws it out in the form of a geyser. Water is saturated with oxygen and ionized while in the air. When it enters the pond, it transfers air to the inhabitants.

In other models, the injection method of aeration is used. Suchdesigns include a motor with blades that hits the surface and leads to the formation of air bubbles and mixing of the layers. In some devices, a pump that sucks water into itself is mixed with air and returned back to the reservoir.

Water aeration unit can be onshore or bottom. The principle of operation here boils down to the fact that there is a compressor on the shore, its purpose is to supply air to special diffusers. They are installed in several places on the bottom. Passing through the space, the bubbles saturate the water column with oxygen, which contributes to the mixing of the layers and the rise of sludge for filtration. A valve is installed to prevent the liquid from flowing back and entering the device.

The principle of operation of combined devices

Aeration plants are also combined. Most often they are surface, and their design provides for a compressor unit located on the shore. It supplies compressed air, which is dispersed in the upper layers through a floating head. And in other models, a pump is installed. Through the module, which is constantly moving, water is taken in, where it mixes with air and is fed back from the shore. Here it takes the form of a waterfall or fountain.

Wind aerators are floating or pole-mounted structures. In them, the wind sets the blades in motion, which entails the creation of a current. As a result, air bubbles form on the surface.

Tips for doing the installation of an aeration column with your own hands

Installationthe aeration column provides for the connection of a sump so that it has two flushing modes - direct and reverse. Combined use allows you to wash the filter element more efficiently. It is better to take a bigger mud trap. Small filters become clogged within a short time and require frequent rinsing. It is better to use a glass flask.

If you want to install the aeration unit with your own hands, it is recommended to take a container, the volume of which will be equal to the daily water consumption. Oxidation of impurities will occur at night, while during the day the water will be consumed by consumers. To aerate a pond, for example, an inexpensive and economical compressor can be used. It has four nozzles, which are similar to those used in aquariums. The power of a 20-watt compressor will be enough to create the desired air pressure. If the column capacity is 750 liters or more, it is better to install compressors that are used in autonomous sewers. An example is the Topas system. Its power can vary from 50 to 100 W, but the cost will be higher.

As for the production columns, they will take up a lot of space, often the entire area of the boiler room. If you assemble the system according to the described principle, then it will fit on an area equal to 1.5 x 0.6 m. All elements must have access for maintenance and control. In order to control the electrical load, you should use a timer, which can be found in the store of the corresponding goods. It is programmed to turn on and off, as well asdays of the week. This solution will be ideal for controlling the mode of the filter unit, which must be switched on every 2 hours. Purified water will flow into the tank through the top fitting. At the same time, the water level in the tank should be adjusted so that the powerful pressure entering there draws with it part of the air above the surface. Extra aeration will be a bonus.

Comparison of aeration systems and septic tanks

You may be wondering what to choose - a septic tank or an aeration unit. This problem can be solved only by conducting a comparative analysis. Energy independence is one of the first factors. At the same time, aeration plants are inferior to septic tanks. For the first, it is important to have electricity, from which aerators and compressors work. Even with a power outage, the aerobic bacteria will die and the unit will not be able to treat the drain.

As for the stability of work, septic tanks will provide it even if the number of people in the house and the quality of the flow change. For normal operation of such a system, it is necessary that the drain is inside for at least 3 days. With regard to aeration plants, they are very sensitive to changes in the above factors. They are designed for a certain flow of wastewater per day, and the discharged water must have certain characteristics.

In closing

The sewer aeration unit is designed to prevent unpleasant odors from entering the room. The aerator works as a check valve. Such devices are composed of a housing, a pressure control mechanism and an air intake. The body is sealed and has a removable cover.