Most lakes cover vast areas and
contain millions of gallons of water with a biological oxygen demand (BOD) of 10
mg/l or less. So a few random air bubbles rising from the bottom just aren't
enough to satisfy a lake's need for oxygen. But, use that same small volume of
air to induce a significant rising current, and you have an extremely efficient
lake aerator!
Aquatic Eco-Systems
synergistic airlift diffusers are designed to lift and circulate huge volumes of
water, bringing life-giving oxygen from the surface to the bottom. These unique
air diffusers were specifically engineered to cause an upwelling current without
turbulence or bottom erosion.
The 4-sq.ft.
Diffuser assembly creates a vertical current using the rising force of air,
moving low oxygen water up from the bottom and eliminating stratification.
Hundreds of man-hours have gone into the development of this technique,
including underwater dye-flow studies and destratification
experiments.
The system
is simple, safe and virtually maintenance free. It is the most effective
lake aerator
made! As little as 3/4 horsepower can be used to properly aerate a
eutrophic 10-acre lake!
Technically Speaking
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When oxygen levels are low, you
can expect transfer performance of more than 10 pounds of dissolved oxygen per
horsepower per hour! (Pumps, fountains and "air bubblers" are typically fewer
than 2 pounds per horsepower per hour).
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Bubbles expand and spread out as
they rise. The column of water entrained within the bubbles from a synergistic
diffuser rises at about a foot per second, moving 2,000 gpm from the area
above the diffuser (a drilled pipe diffuser with the same air volume would
move only about 200 gpm).
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The surface boil–created by the
kinetic energy of the rising water–rises approximately two inches above the
surrounding water level. From there, the water rushes outward until its energy
has dissipated, sometimes traveling more than 100 feet, depending upon
temperature, surface tension and wind.
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The lake surface tension is
ruptured in the boil area. Supersaturated gases, including carbon dioxide and
hydrogen sulfide, escape from the bottom water, and oxygen is
absorbed.
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There's no danger to swimmers,
boaters or aquatic life—even a marking buoy is unnecessary. And, like hundreds
of others, you'll enjoy watching the surface "spring" boils. There is no
electricity in the water.
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It's best to install the system prior to stratification.
If the volume of anaerobic bottom water is greater than 1/6 of the lake's
total volume, contact AES for start-up instructions.
Every lake is different. Will be
happy to assist with equipment selection and system design. We'll need to know
the lake's shape, size, depths, history, bottom type, water source, flow,
etc.
