Surface Aerators
Mechanically splash water to entrain oxygen — simpler but less efficient than diffused air.
Surface aerators use a motor-driven impeller at or near the water surface to splash and churn water, entraining atmospheric oxygen directly.
They're mechanically simpler than diffused air systems (no blowers, no piping network) but generally less energy-efficient per pound of oxygen transferred.
Common in lagoon systems and smaller plants where simplicity and lower capital cost outweigh energy efficiency concerns.
Watch for: ice formation risk in cold climates, splash/aerosol drift affecting nearby equipment, and bearing wear from constant vibration.
Floating surface aerators are common in lagoon systems specifically because they don't require a fixed structural mount and can be relocated or serviced without draining the lagoon.
Oxygen transfer efficiency for surface aerators is typically expressed in lbs O2/hp-hr rather than SOTE percentage, since there's no discrete airflow rate to reference the way there is with diffused air systems.
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