Surface aerators put oxygen in by violently agitating the top of the tank — throwing water into the air or drawing air down a shaft. Rugged, simple and easy to retrofit, they suit lagoons, ditches and cold or abrasive duties where diffusers struggle.
What this aeration technology is, where it fits, and the numbers that define it.
The faults that undermine this technology in the field, and the engineering response to each.
What you see: The aerator is moving water but not transferring enough oxygen for the load.
What you see: Sludge banks form because the aerator mixes the surface but not the floor.
What you see: Surface aeration throws aerosols and can ice up in winter.
Where simplicity, retrofit and resilience to grit and rag matter more than absolute efficiency, surface aeration remains the pragmatic choice — especially for lagoons and oxidation ditches.
Membrane disc/tube diffusers for high-efficiency oxygen transfer.
Pumped jet and venturi systems for deep tanks and high mixing.
Low-speed mixers that keep solids in suspension with or without air.
Blower selection and DO-based air control for energy efficiency.
SOTE, alpha factor and how to specify and verify aeration performance.
Our engineers size aeration on real oxygen demand, select the right technology for your tank and load, and verify performance by test — from diffusers to blowers and controls.
Our expertise spans multiple industries with sector-specific water treatment solutions.