Fine-Bubble Aeration Diffusers

Maximum Efficiency and Reliability

EDI helped start the finebubble aeration revolution. It’s time for another.

 

The first revolution introduced fine bubble subsurface aeration that distributes air into water via very small (or fine) bubbles (<2mm) whose surface area enables oxygen to transfer to the surrounding water more efficiently. 

 

Nobody is better equipped to show that diffusers are more than their standard oxygen-transfer efficiencies (SOTEs). The next revolution focuses on untapped efficiencies in installation and durability, which dramatically reduce the cost of producing bubbles, meeting your regulatory limits, and running your plant. 

FlexAir Pro Fine-Bubble Disc, Tube, and/or Panel Diffusers

Advantages:

  • Lowest lifecycle cost of ownership (NPV)
  • Efficiencies maximized up to 10 lb / Hp-Hr (3.38 Kg / Kw-Hr)
  • Disc, tube, and panel diffusers engineered for your project by EDI experts
  • Assembly facilities in the USA, UK, and India
  • Diffuser components available for quick shipping from Aftermarket Parts.
  • Superior material and robust construction

Compatibility:

Membranes:
Configurations:
Applications:

WHAT FINE BUBBLES DO

Maximum performance and application flexibility for system optimization 

Fine Bubble diffuser systems disperse the diffused gas volume to transfer an equivalent amount of oxygen as a coarse bubble system. The diameter of gas bubble has a dramatic impact on surface area. Comparing 1 cubic foot of air used in fine, medium, and coarse bubble systems demonstrates why fine pore diffusers optimize the use of air and reduce energy consumption. This subsurface aeration technology introduces air into water via very small (or fine) bubbles (<2mm in size). Thousands of fine bubbles promote the transfer of oxygen to water due to their collectively large surface area and low buoyancy, maximizing air-water interface. The primary advantage of fine bubble technology is its high efficiency, capable of providing up to 10 lb/O2 Hp-Hr, making it 40–60% more efficient than most other aeration solutions. 

WHAT IT DELIVERS

EDI FlexAir Pro Diffuser Platforms

Tube | Panel | Disc

Fine Bubble diffuser systems disperse the diffused gas volume to transfer an equivalent amount of oxygen with typical Bubble Size of 1mm – 2.5mm. Application performance is impacted by mixing and installed diffuser density constraints. In a typical wastewater treatment plant, 50%-70% of the energy is consumed by aeration. With so much of the energy use in a WWTP concentrated at the aeration system, it is a logical target for energy conservation. To employ the most appropriate diffuser, a comparison of performance of various diffuser platforms must be considered in the design. The most important performance values include operating pressure and standard oxygen transfer efficiency (SOTE). This requires rational clean water test results under ASCE or equivalent testing procedures. Since the data and calculations in any aeration process optimizations are diffuser platform-specific, it makes selecting the appropriate type of diffuser (tube, panel, or disc) for each project very important.

Want to know what FlexAir Pro can do for your plant?

Submit your RFP today and our on-staff professional engineers can help you size and design a fine-bubble aeration and treatment upgrade to meet your wastewater treatment requirements.

PANEL DIFFUSERS

FlexAir® Pro MiniPanel (Curvilinear Panel) and StreamLine™ options are both available. EDI panel diffuser technology offers high density aeration systems to minimize energy use, and lowest total cost of ownership.

EDI’s MiniPanel diffusers have 4” diameter tubes with airflow on the top half of the tube. EDI-exclusive StreamLine™ combines the lateral and diffuser, enabling unprecedented aeration density.

Features and benefits of EDI FlexAir Pro MiniPanel diffusers

Low Operating Pressure: Approximately the same as disc and tubes, operating at half the pressure of flat panels, and uses existing blowers.

Pipe Mounted Above Floor: Prevents solids grit blockage and maintains existing blower pressure.

Ease of Maintenance: EDI’s economical, reliable, custom-perforated membranes can be maintained by plant personnel, and plant personnel can change them in less than 5 minutes (competing panels’ membrane replacements take hours and some request return to factory).

Membrane Life: Typical up to 10 years in municipal applications; can be designed for acid cleaning in situ.

Complete nonmetallic systems available for Industrial or Seawater applications

Piping: Standard IPS any material – PVC, CPVC, SS, PP, and Fiberglass

Membrane Options: EPDM, Polyurethane (PU), High Temp Polyurethane, Matrix Plus™, Specialty polymers

Positive pipe/membrane purge assembly: Same as disc and tubes for most configurations

Pipe mounted panels offer floor coverage (densities) ranging from 5% to 80%

Want to know what FlexAir® Pro panels can do for your plant?

Submit your RFP today and our on-staff professional engineers can help you size and design a fine-bubble aeration and treatment upgrade to meet your wastewater treatment requirements.

TUBE DIFFUSERS

T-Series™ and Magnum™ tube diffuser models available.

FlexAir® Pro T-Series Tube Diffuser

  • 62 mm and 91 mm diameter tube diffusers with standard length options from 250 mm to 1000 mm
  • Choice of PVC or CPVC material diffuser tubes available
  • Stainless Steel ¾” male pipe thread or plastic ¾” female pipe thread connections available
  • Premium quality membranes available in EPDM, PU, PTFE-infused Matrix Plus™, Silicone, or other specialty materials
  • Triple-check design minimizes entry of liquid/solids into air feed piping
  • High-capacity membrane option available for maximum airflow and low operating pressure
  • Non-buoyant flow-thru design for reduced uplift and stress on mounting

FlexAir® Pro Magnum

  • Efficient geometry supports high-density installations of over 65% floor coverage
  • Non-buoyant design for reduced uplift and stress on mounting connection
  • Premium quality membranes available in EPDM, urethane, and Matrix Plus™ for reduced fouling and minimum maintenance
  • Non-metallic construction available for maximum chemical, temperature, and UV resistance
  • Triple-check valve design minimizes entry of liquid/solids into piping.
  • Ideal for on/off applications

Want to know what FlexAir® Pro tubes can do for your plant?

Submit your RFP today and our on-staff professional engineers can help you size and design a fine-bubble aeration and treatment upgrade to meet your wastewater treatment requirements.

DISC DIFFUSERS

Available in 9” and 12” Disc Diameters for Maximum Project Flexibility; 9” disc being the most popular and widely used across the industry.

Features and Benefits of EDI FlexAir® Pro Disc Diffusers

 

Diffuser Holder

  • Factory installed membrane for leak free performance
  • Saddle-mount  and O-ring seal increases installation efficiency – allows replacing or adding diffuser units without affecting the piping, and ensures minimum field installation time
  • Single point membrane seal (E-Z Seal, patented)  reduces resealing requirement
  • GFPP (Glass Filled Polypropylene) material provides high mechanical, thermal, chemical, and UV resistance

Diffuser Membrane

  • Elastomer selected for application needs
  • EPDM for general purpose and base product for municipal installations
  • Matrix™ Polyurethane for industrial and extended use -improved resistance to biological & inorganic fouling (Perforation selected for aeration needs – Nano for highest transfer efficiency, Micro for traditional fine bubble efficiency, and high capacity for high airflow applications)

Pipe and Fittings

  • Engineered for mechanical and thermal resistance
  • 3-inch or 4-inch (90mm and 110mm) distribution laterals
  • PVC, CPVC, and SS
  • Wall thickness for durability objectives
  • Standard IPS size for ease of repair and local availability
  • Pressure rated components to applicable ASTM Standards

Joints

  • Hydrostatic designed flanged joints ensure tight seal and high mechanical strength

Supports

  • GFPP SuperStrut for installation efficiency and strength
  • SS (Stainless Steel) support optional

 

Want to know what FlexAir® Pro discs can do for your plant?

Submit your RFP today and our on-staff professional engineers can help you size and design a fine-bubble aeration and treatment upgrade to meet your wastewater treatment requirements.