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Did you know that the thermal mass flow meter is the preferred method for measuring aeration air flow at wastewater treatment plants? Sage Metering has published an application brief demonstrating this process.
Aeration Air Flow at WWTP
At wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), aeration is a standard method to promote microorganisms’ growth that breakdown waste. Aeration flow is the process of introducing air into the wastewater. This occurs with either mechanical agitation or a subsurface system. In a subsurface system, blowers and diffusers introduce air beneath the wastewater. The air blowers may feed the main header, which may lead to multiple aeration basins. From the main header, the air runs to each pool or individual zones within each basin. Depending on the layout, flowmeters may measure the flow to each basin or zone. A dissolved oxygen (DO) meter regulates the amount of air flowing into a pool or zone.
Outdated Waste Water Treatment
In outdated WWTP systems, there is little control in airflow. The thought at the time was that the more airflow, the better the breakdown. When energy cost increased, though, there was a movement to optimize air flow to save money. Thermal mass flow meters are the preferred meter for measuring aeration airflow to address this need to control air.
Thermal Mass Flow Meters
While orifice plates and vortex shedding instruments measure aeration airflow, the thermal mass flow meter requires less maintenance. They are easier to install and save energy. The meter’s accuracy and repeatability serve this application well, and thermal mass meters measure mass flow, so pressure and temperature devices are not needed.
