Aeration Unit

Experimental Objectives
To study oxygen transfer characteristics of Diffused Air
System.
To study physical and chemical parameters which
influence oxygenation capacity.
To study effect of degree of fluid mixing, water
temperature, gas flow rate, depth of water diffuser
arrangement, and water composition.

Descriptions
The setup consist of an open water tank with variable speed
paddle mixer. Air is supplied to the water from the bottom
and mixed in the water by operating stirrer. Speed of the
stirrer can be controlled with the help of speed controller
provided in the panel. Flow of air entering in the water tank
is directly metered with the help of rotameter can be
regulated with the help of valve provided. Three air diffuser
of different types are provided, which are interchangeable.
Desired air diffuser can be easily installed on the air inlet to
the water tank. A temperature indictor is also provided which
gives direct temperature reading of water. A dissolved oxygen

meter accompanies the apparatus which allows to conduct

the experiment.

Theory
Gas-liquid mass transfer is often accomplished in well-mixed
tank systems. In particular, aeration of water typically
involves the introduction of air into the bottom of a wellmixed tank through dispersers such as perforated pipes,
porous sparger tubes, or porous plates. These dispersers
introduce air as small bubbles that rise through the
overlying water, allowing air-water transfer of oxygen to occur
across the cumulative interface of the bubbles within the
system. The rate of mass transfer will control the rate of
aeration (i.e., the rate at which the oxygen concentration in
the water increases over time). Thus, variables that influence
the rate of mass transfer can be used as variables for process
optimization. In this laboratory, you will be examining several
potential process variables that may or may not influence
aeration rates.

The vessel holds up to X liters of water, and is connected to a

variable speed motor that allows for agitation of the fluid via
a paddle mixer.

Procedure
1. Fill

the

determine

tank
its

with

the

volume.

appropriate
Measure

solution

and

record

and
the

temperature of the solution and the atmospheric

pressure.
2. Deoxygenate the solution by first introducing nitrogen
gas into the bottom of the tank. The flow of nitrogen
should be the same as the air rate that will be used for
the desired test.
3. Monitor the dissolved oxygen concentration with the
help of Dissolved Oxygen Meter. When the dissolved
oxygen concentration is zero or very close to zero, switch
the gas flow from nitrogen to air.
4. Record dissolved oxygen concentration as a function of
time.

LABORATORY SAFETY AND PROTOCOL

General Rules
Clothing and shoes: Always wear closed shoes in the
laboratory. Open toe sandals are not adequate protection
from chemical spills. Spills and accidents can (and do)
happen. Students should wear clothes that they are worried
about damaging and/or purchase a lab coat when working in

the labs. Clothing is readily damaged as a result of chemical

spillage and splashing, particularly from strong acids, bases,
and redox chemicals. As an added precaution students
should wear a chemical resistant apron when handling
strong acid/base/solvent chemicals.

Safety

Goggles:

CHEMICAL

SAFETY

GLASSES

OR

GOGGLES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES IN THE

LABORATORY. If you wear eyeglasses, they should have
splash shields to protect against chemical splashing. Regular
eyeglasses, by themselves, are not adequate protection
against chemical splashing. Also, certain chemicals may ruin
plastic lenses. It is recommended that students purchase a
pair of chemical safety glasses/goggles from the bookstore
and reserve them for their personal use when working in the
laboratories.

Eating and Smoking: Eating, drinking or smoking is not

permitted in any of the laboratories.

Chemical Spills: Small spills should first be neutralized:

sodium borate for base spills and sodium bicarbonate for
acid spills. After neutralizing mop or sponge up spills

immediately. Large spills should first be contained with an

absorbent material such as vermiculite and then neutralized.
Additional absorbent may then be added to take up the
neutralized liquid and picked up.

Pipetting: NEVER pipet any solutions by mouth. Pipet with

a pipet bulb.