| Contents Notes |
"A study of 19 North American municipal activated sludge plants equipped with either ceramic fine bubble dome or disc diffuser aeration systems was carried out to better define the oxygen transfer performance and operation and maintenance (O & M) requirements of these systems and the proper approaches to their design. Two of the plants were located In metropolitan Toronto, Ontario. The remaining 17 were located in the United States. The plants were selected on the bases of size and age of the system, location, and quality of available data from installation lists provided by the principal manufacturers of dome and disc diffuser equipment. All treat predominantly domestic wastes, though some have significant industrial flows as well. Data on process design, influent and effluent wastewater characteristics, aeration power and air flow, and O & M experiences were requested from each plant. These were supplemented as needed by on-site investigations and Interviews of plant personnel. The results of this work indicate that, although the North American experience has not been as uniformly satisfactory as that of overseas users, ceramic fine bubble aeration technology can be successfully implemented here. Those plants that have avoided major design flaws and are operated conscientiously are performing quite well. Most of the problems encountered would require little money or time to correct. Better training of plant operators and improved design practices are urgently needed." |
