A new, in-depth white paper featuring several blower technologies was developed and released by Aerzen USA entitled "Aeration Blowers in the Wastewater Industry in North America”. The paper presents four types of blowers: two dynamic and two positive displacement machines. By presenting how each technology has its place, a comparison is made specifically based on the treatment of wastewater. Taken into account are the daily and seasonal swings in oxygen demand, fouling and aging of diffusers, air flow control and turndown capabilities, total blower efficiency and energy consumption over time, mode of operation, blower accessories and plant set-up.
“The intent of this paper is to provide information that will help the engineer appropriately define both the design and the evaluation criteria of various blower technologies. The real total costs of ownership over time should guide the selection process,” states Aerzen USA president, Pierre Noack.
The paper takes a pragmatic approach by presenting ways to minimizing energy usage: right-sizing, aeration control, defining the operating range and matching the blower technology to the application, and comparing operating data over time. At the same time, the paper recommends engineers to exercise due professional diligence and to select the most suitable aeration blower technology based on a relevant comparison.
As the main consumer of electricity in a wastewater treatment plant, the aeration system greatly influences the overall cost of operation, that in the long-term by far exceed the initial investment cost.
Several blower technologies can be chosen from and it therefore behooves the engineer to accurately evaluate the characteristics of the aeration blowers and carefully interpret some of the claims made by various manufacturers. The most energy-efficient solution must be based on actual conditions that, in reality, will vary over an extended period of time.
Noack elaborates, “The economical operation of a wastewater treatment plant depends largely on the design and the interplay of the aeration and process controls. Moreover, the human factor and the management objectives are at the heart of the plant’s reality and should also be taken into consideration. Selection and thoughtful integration of all the subsystems is of paramount importance.”
Download the complete white paper
About Aerzen USA
Aerzen USA is a wholly-owned division of the German manufacturer, Aerzener Maschinenfabrik GmbH, and has been a recognized world leader in the production of rotary positive displacement machines since 1868. Aerzen USA is based in Coatesville, Pa., and holds certificates for ISO 9001: 2002 and 14001: 2004.
