OXYNITYNanobubble pre-treatment at a municipal plant
Fallbrook Public Utility District, California · 2021
- Nanobubbles were added at the headworks before secondary treatment
- Oxygen transfer increased by 60%
- Potential aeration energy saving was put at 45%
OxynityApplicationsWater treatment
Water treatment
In sewage (STP) and effluent (ETP) treatment plants, aeration feeds the bacteria that break down organic load, and it can use up to half of a plant’s electricity. More efficient oxygen transfer means the same treatment with less energy, or more treatment capacity from the same tanks.
+60%oxygen transfer reported at a California treatment plant
45%potential aeration energy saving at the same plant
up to 50%of a treatment plant’s power used for aeration
Where it is used
- Municipal wastewater plants such as Fallbrook, California
- Danish treatment plants in a 2023–24 research project
- Suited to industrial effluent plants in food, textile and dairy processing
- Suited to sewage treatment plants in Indian towns and industrial estates
How it works here
Bacteria in the aeration tank need dissolved oxygen to break down BOD and COD and to remove nitrogen.
Coarse diffusers lose much of the air to the surface. Nano bubbles dissolve more of their oxygen before they can escape.
Nanobubble pre-treatment at the inlet also raises oxygen early, which reduces odour and septic conditions.
What the research shows
Evidence from the field
Nanobubbles for aeration and wastewater treatment
Denmark · Clean Cluster project with Aalborg University, 2023–24
- Pilot project on cutting aeration energy and improving nitrogen and phosphorus removal
- Expected outcome of about 75% lower aeration energy and halved nitrous oxide emissions
- Results are projections from the project plan, not yet measured
Using Oxynity
How we set it up for water treatment
- Install as a side-stream unit on the aeration or equalisation tank
- Size by tank volume and BOD load during a site visit
- Use the 4 HP or 5.5 HP model for treatment plant duty
- Monitor DO to set run hours with the Oxynity Smart schedule
Good to know: Savings depend on the existing aeration system and loading. The figures above are from supplier case studies and a project plan; we recommend a trial on one tank first.