• Blog
  • Wastewater Testing
  • Bioaugmentation Applications
  • Useful Information
  • About Us
BIOLOGICAL WASTE TREATMENT EXPERT
Contact Us

Dissolved Oxygen Optimization & Reducing Utility Costs

10/23/2014

1 Comment

 
Supplying dissolved oxygen typically uses between 40 - 60% of the electricity used in waste water treatment. Many facilities have enough aeration capacity for maximum loading design which well above average daily loadings. In the short run managing aeration by optimizing blower or surface aeration operation can cut electricity use. However, in many cases we rely on the diffusers & mechanical aerators for mixing as well as dissolved oxygen. So while we may have enough dissolved oxygen but not have enough mixing to keep biological solids suspended. Optimizing both aeration and mixing can help reduce utility costs. Here is how to optimize aeration:

  • Take D.O. readings in the basin at various locations & depths on several days to get a DO profile
  • By taking multiple readings in the basin, you can confirm or question the readings on the typical basin side DO meter
  • Adjust blowers and aerators to maintain DO of 2.0 at the sampling points in the system. At a DO of 2.0, there is enough oxygen for ammonia removal and the aerobic carbonaceous bacteria (normal COD/BOD removing microbes) are at 90% efficiency. Compare this to a DO of 3.5 which increases utility costs substantially yet only gives a few more % increase in microbial efficiency
1 Comment
Steve Smith link
1/13/2023 05:56:08 pm

I found it interesting when you said that 40 - 60% of electricity is being used to dissolve oxygen for the wastewater process. My brother told me the other day that he was planning to gather information about a surface aerator for the proper management of wastewater on their industrial farm. He asked if I had thoughts on the best option for consultation. I love this helpful article, I'll tell him it will be much better if he consults a trusted surface aerator service to gather details about their services.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Erik Rumbaugh has been involved in biological waste treatment for over 20 years. He has worked with industrial and municipal wastewater  facilities to ensure optimal performance of their treatment systems. He is a founder of Aster Bio (www.asterbio.com) specializing in biological waste treatment.

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    RSS Feed

    Click to set custom HTML

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014

Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos used under Creative Commons from Picturepest, marcoverch, perzonseowebbyra, Picturepest, Picturepest, dsearls, dungodung, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, aqua.mech, vastateparksstaff, hile, Aaron Volkening, amishsteve, Neil DeMaster, mklwong88, KOMUnews, Picturepest, kaibara87