Aeration And Bubbles Produced By FGX3

In my experience one of the biggest changes, I have seen in aeration efficiency is the advent of micro bubble diffusers. Any of you that run modelling packages will be familiar with the energy savings the models predict. What is the real world effect though? Whilst working on aeration efficiency on a standard plug flow activated sludge lane I monitored ammonia removal linearly down the lane and found the installation of microbubble diffusers enabled ammonia removal to commence earlier in the lane before carbonaceous oxidation had completed and after 40 mins hydraulic retention time the rate of ammonia removal made an exponential increase whereas in course bubble diffusion the rate of increase in ammonia removal was more diffuse and extended further down the lane. The connection with FGX3? This yeast extracted bioaugmentation product physically induces smaller bubbles. The driving force is the reduction of Inter facial tension (FGX3 amplifies the increase in Critical Miscelle Values - the measure of surfactant activity). In discussion with one process engineer the argument against the benefits of using FGX3 was stated as "Detergents are detrimental to aeration oxygen transfer". Well, yes ordinary surfactants can impact the benefits of producing smaller bubbles by making the…