Fine bubble airlift device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aeration device for use in a liquid medium. The device includes a housing adapted to float within the medium such that a top portion thereof remains above a top surface of the medium. The housing has a bottom portion and an open side portion. The device further includes a hose affixed to the bottom portion of the housing substantially parallel to the surface of the liquid medium. The hose has a wall with a plurality of pores formed therein. The device further includes a gas-supplying pipe affixed to the hose and means for supplying a gas to the pipe such that the gas passes through the pipe and into the hose.

1 . A process for the aeration of a body of liquid medium having a bottom surface comprising providing a housing adapted for flotation within said liquid medium, mounting a hose to a predetermined location in said housing substantially parallel to the surface of said liquid medium at a predetermined first distance from said surface of said liquid medium and at a predetermined second distance from said bottom surface, said hose having a wall with a plurality of pores formed therein, supplying a gas to said hose at a predetermined gas supply rate in order to aerate said liquid medium at a standard aeration efficiency of greater than about four pounds of oxygen per hour per horsepower in fresh water. 
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said predetermined gas supply rate is between about 1/10 and 10 SCFM per linear foot of hose. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2  wherein said predetermined gas supply rate is between about 0.2 and 1.0 SCFM per linear foot of hose. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said hose comprises a plurality of hose sections disposed in a parallel array. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 4  wherein said plurality of hose sections are regularly spaced apart a distance of between about one and five inches between the centers of said parallel array of hose sections. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 5  wherein said plurality of hose sections are regularly spaced apart a distance of about two inches between the centers of said parallel array of hose sections. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said predetermined first distance is between about 6 inches and 48 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 7  wherein said predetermined first distance is between about 29 inches and 48 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8  wherein said predetermined first distance is at least about 36 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said predetermined second distance is at least about four inches. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 10  wherein said predetermined second distance is at least about 18 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11  wherein said predetermined second distance is at least about 24 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said standard aeration efficiency is greater than about six pounds of oxygen per hour per horsepower in salt water. 
     
     
         14 . A process for the aeration of a body of liquid medium having a bottom surface comprising providing a housing adapted for flotation within said liquid medium, mounting a hose to a predetermined location in said housing substantially parallel to the surface of said liquid medium at a predetermined first distance from said surface of said liquid medium and a predetermined second distance from said bottom surface, said hose having a wall with a plurality of pores formed therein, supplying a gas to said hose at a predetermined gas supply rate in order to aerate said liquid medium at a standard oxygen transfer rate of greater than about four pounds of oxygen per hour in fresh water. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 14  wherein said predetermined gas supply rate is between about 1/10 and 10 SCFM per linear foot of hose. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 14  wherein said hose comprises a plurality of hose sections disposed in a parallel array. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 16  wherein said plurality of hose sections are regularly spaced apart a distance of between about one and four inches between the centers of said parallel array of hose sections. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17  wherein said plurality of hose sections are regularly spaced apart a distance of about two inches between the centers of said parallel array of hose sections. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 14  wherein said predetermined first distance is between about 6 and 48 inches. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 19  wherein said predetermined first distance is between about 29 and 48 inches. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 20  wherein said predetermined distance is at least about 36 inches. 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 14  wherein said predetermined second distance is at least about four inches. 
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 22  wherein said predetermined second distance is at least about 18 inches. 
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 23  wherein said predetermined second distance is about 24 inches. 
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 14  wherein said standard oxygen transfer rate is greater than about six pounds of oxygen per hour in salt water. 
     
     
         26 - 59 . (canceled)