Modeling volatile organic solute removal by surface and bubble aeration

Abstract

It has long been recognized that volatile solutes are transferred to the atmosphere during aeration in wastewater treatment.13 In particular, halogenated organic substances, including many purportedly hazardous substances, are transferred to the at mosphere at appreciable rates.410 The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology for estimating the removal of volatile organic solutes, especially halogenated compounds, resulting from aeration under typical conditions of wastewater treatment. The calculations are based on simple models that have been verified by Matter-M?ller et al9 and in our laboratory.11,12 The objective is to point out the influences of design and operation variables: for example, the general type of aeration process (sur face or bubble aeration), the amount of oxygen (02) transferred (grams of 02 per cubic metre of wastewater), and the oxygen transfer efficiency, as well as the importance of solute volatility. The model calculations presented are illustrative, and are not to be construed as accurate predictions for given conditions.