Design Characteristics of Single Hub Paddle Wheel Aerator

Aeration experiments, based on dimensional analysis, were conducted in brick masonry tanks of dimensions 2.9×2.9×1.6 m3 and 5.9×2.9×1.6 m3 to study the design characteristics of a single hub paddle wheel aerator. A generalized equation has been developed to estimate the optimum volume of water to be aerated at a given paddle wheel diameter (d) and speed (N) . A simulation equation with E [nondimensional number characterizing standard aeration efficiency (SAE)] and P* (nondimensional number characterizing power input per unit volume) provided a correlation better than that with E and F (Froude number) and E and R (Reynolds number) only. A simplified generalized equation correlating E and P* was developed which can be used to predict aeration efficiency for P* ⩽6.56 . Similarly, a simulation equation with Ne [(power number)(nondimensional number charcterizing power consumption)] and P* provided a correlation better than that with Ne and F and Ne and R only. The optimum dynamic condition at which maximum SAE...