Performance Evaluation of Rectangular Shaped Solid Jet Aerators Having Multiple Openings

Aeration is mainly used to remove undesirable gases dissolved in wastewater. In this study, models of solid jet aerators consisting of vertical jets having rectangular openings (one, two, four and eight openings and total area of opening = 14%) with rounded edges under three depths of water equal to 600 mm. 450 mm and 300 mm in the aeration tank are tested. The performance of each model was studied for five discharges 1.05 lit/sec, 2.20 lit/sec, 3.51 lit/sec, 4.5 lit/sec and 5.10 lit/sec. The hydraulic parameters e.g. rate of oxygen transfer (KLa20) and oxygen transfer efficiency (OTE) were calculated for each rate of flow. A no. of graphical relations of oxygen transfer coefficient and oxygen transfer efficiency were plotted with respect to jet power per unit volume. It was observed that at very low discharges, the aerator having less number of openings is giving more oxygen transfer efficiency while at higher flow rate; the aerator having more number of openings is giving more oxygen transfer efficiency. This study also revealed that aerators having openings with rounded edges also performing better when compared with past studies in the given rates of flow.