A chicken processing plant needed aeration to reduce odours associated with its wastewater treatment system. aerators
The plant had a large 350,000-litre tank with in-flows exceeding four megalitres per day.
The owners also wanted a system that was easy to maintain and safe for operators.
Engineers at the plant selected a Venturi aeration system that consisted of two EchoStorm 6” Venturi aerators, powered by two Gorman-Rupp pump model V6A60-B pumps with a combined discharge rate of 140 litres per second.
The Gorman-Rupp pumps draw the wastewater from the tank and discharge it at pressure into the Venturi aerators. Air is drawn into the aerator at a ratio 2.2 times the pump flow, where it is mixed with the wastewater.
Water is then discharged back into the tank, where ‘hydraulic sheer’ facilitates the release of soluble gasses and volatiles from the water, which is now saturated with dissolved oxygen.
The discharge ports of the two aerators were set up tangential to the side wall to induce a ‘spin’ to the contents of the tank, causing solids to migrate to the centre where the pump suction lines were positioned.
Engineers selected two EchoStorm 6” Venturi aerators powered by two Gorman-Rupp pump model V6A60-B pumps.
This way, large solids are collected and smashed through the pump and aerator, reducing their size and making them more available for biological reaction.
The plant has found the system very easy to access for monitoring and maintenance because it is located outside the tank – not in it or on it.
Therefore no lifting apparatus is needed to access equipment, and there is no ‘working over water’ or ‘working at heights’ to contend with or write up on risk assessment documents.
Hydro Innovations regional manager for South Australia visited the plant and noted everything had been installed and was functioning perfectly.
A spokesperson from the plant said they had no problems at all with the system.
Hydro Innovations will continue to stay updated on this project and provide assistance when needed.
Smaller projects are possible with the use of smaller venturi-aerators, which are available in 50mm, 80mm, 100mm and 150mm sizes.
Larger projects are approached by using multiples of the larger unit, sometimes using a dedicated large pump to ‘drive’ two, three or even four venturi-aerators.
More information can be obtained by emailing info@hydroinnovations.com.au