Odor Removal Towers and Degasification Towers for Water Treatment
In present day water treatment processes, the removal of dissolved gases and volatile constituents are essential to the quality of water. In this case, aeration towers and degasifiers remove contaminants, like hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), carbon dioxide (CO₂), volatile organic compounds, or disinfection byproducts like trihalomethanes (THMs). These systems play an important role in sophisticated odor control systems at municipal and industrial water treatment plants.
Principles of Degasification in Water Treatment
Degasification is the process of removing gases that are dissolved in water. Degasifier Water Treatment removes any gas that causes odor, corrosion, and/or impacts downstream processes. Normally, the operation employs physical techniques like aeration, extracting volatile chemicals from the liquid to the gas phase for venting and/or additional treatment.
Operational Principle of Aeration Towers in Degasification
Aeration towers are a type of degasifier which makes water contact with air for high surface area. Water is distributed in a tower over packing media in the form of thin films or droplets, to maximise air contact. At the same time, air is added counter-currently, whereby dissolved gases in the water can move to the air. It efficiently removes H₂S and CO₂ gases, which produce a rotten egg smell and brownish color of unpleasant taste in the water supplies.
Design and construction of aeration tower
Modern aeration towers are designed to optimize the degasification process while maintaining structural integrity and complying with health regulations. Key components are:
Packing materials: Polystrong™ or Polylast™, are durable and corrosion resistant. These materials also provide UV protection, which inhibits biological growth within the tower.
Liquid Distribution System: Ensures that water is evenly distributed across the packing material, increasing contact efficiency.
Blowers: AMCA-rated blowers bring air into the system, generating the counter-current flow required for successful gas stripping.
Structural components: OSHA-approved ladders and platforms, acoustic enclosures for blowers, and differential pressure indicators for operational safety and monitoring.
These systems are designed to handle capacity of up to 7 million gallons per day (MGD) in a single tower, making them ideal for large-scale municipal applications.
Applications for Water Treatment
Aeration towers and degasifiers are useful technologies used across a variety of water treatment applications.
Municipal Drinking Water: Removing H₂S and CO₂ improves taste and odor while meeting drinking water requirements.
Groundwater Remediation: The removal of VOCs and other volatile pollutants from damaged groundwater sources.
Industrial wastewater treatment: the removal of odorous chemicals from effluents, hence improving environmental compliance and workplace safety.
Leachate Treatment: Managing landfill leachate by eliminating dissolved gases and minimizing odor emissions.
Integration with Odor Control Systems
The off-gas created during degasification frequently contains high concentrations of stripped pollutants, necessitating additional treatment to prevent environmental discharge. It is usual practice to integrate odor control technologies like bio-scrubbers or wet scrubbers. These systems use biological or chemical methods to neutralize odorous substances before discharging the air into the atmosphere.
Benefits of Using Degasifiers in Water Treatment
Implementing degasifiers in water treatment systems provides various benefits:
Enhanced Water Quality: Effective dissolved gas removal enhances flavor, odor, and overall water quality.
Operational Efficiency: Reduces the need for chemical additions, cutting operating expenses and simplifying treatment procedures.
Environmental Compliance: Reduces the emission of dangerous gases into the environment, hence aiding regulatory compliance.
Low Maintenance: Systems are designed to be durable and easy to maintain, assuring long-term operational reliability.
Considerations for Implementation
When incorporating degasifiers into water treatment systems, various considerations must be considered:
Water Chemistry: Understanding the specific contaminants present is critical for choosing the right system design and materials.
Flow Rates: In order to treat water effectively, systems must be sized to handle the predicted volume.
Site Conditions: Temperature and wind loads influence the design and placement of aeration towers.
Regulatory standards: Potable water treatment systems must comply with NSF/ANSI-61-G and other related standards.
Innovations in Degasification Technology
Advances in degasification technology continue to improve the efficiency and application of these systems:
Membrane Degasification: Uses semi-permeable membranes to remove gases like CO₂ and O₂ from water, providing a chemical-free solution.
Advanced Oxidation Processes: AOPs decompose organic pollutants and odor-causing chemicals by combining ozone, UV, and hydrogen peroxide to produce hydroxyl radicals.
Nanobubble Technology: Adds ultra-fine bubbles to water, increasing gas transfer efficiency and promoting aerobic biological processes for odor reduction.
Conclusion
Aeration towers and degasifiers are critical components of current water treatment strategies because they effectively remove odors and improve water quality. These systems continue to evolve by incorporating innovative technology and adhering to regulatory standards, addressing the increasing demands of water treatment plants around the world.
To explore the latest innovations in water and energy technologies, and discover a wide range of products and solutions from around the world, you can visit the virtual exhibition AQUA ENERGY EXPO which featuring leading companies in water treatment, desalination, and sustainable energy through the following link:
https://aquaenergyexpo.com/
References:
1- Degasifiers:
https://kchservices.com/products/degasifiers/
2- Overview of Drinking Water Treatment Technologies:
https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/overview-drinking-water-treatment-technologies
3- How Does Membrane Degasifier Work:
https://agapewater.com/how-does-membrane-degasifier-work/
4- Ozonia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozonia
5- Wastewater Treatment: Effective Odor Control Solution for Sewage:
