Adapters and methods for aeration applications
Adapters and methods related to aeration applications. An adapter for use in water treatment applications. The adapter includes a generally circular member for conversion of an aeration diffuser holder from a membrane diffuser element holder to a ceramic diffuser element holder. The generally circular member includes a top adapted to receive a retaining ring, a bottom adapted to receive an aeration diffuser holder, a diameter adapted to receive a ceramic diffuser element, and a height adapted to receive a ceramic diffuser element.
1. An adapter for use in water treatment applications, the adapter comprising a generally circular member for conversion of an aeration diffuser holder from a membrane diffuser element holder to a ceramic diffuser element holder, wherein the generally circular member comprises:
a top adapted to receive a retaining ring;
a bottom adapted to receive an aeration diffuser holder;
a diameter adapted to receive a ceramic diffuser element; and
a height adapted to receive a ceramic diffuser element.
2. The adapter of claim 1 , wherein:
the top comprises a male threaded connection; and
the bottom comprises a female threaded connection.
3. The adapter of claim 2 , wherein the height comprises a dimension sufficient to at least accommodate the male threaded connection and the female threaded connection.
4. The adapter of claim 2 , wherein the male threaded connection and the female threaded connection each accommodate a gasket material.
5. The adapter of claim 2 , further comprising a lip within the diameter to form a thread stop for the female threaded connection and a support ring for the ceramic diffuser element.
6. The adapter of claim 5 , wherein the support ring further comprises a plurality of stand offs or raised rings to raise a position of the ceramic diffuser element within the adapter.
7. The adapter of claim 1 , wherein the diameter comprises between about 10 centimeters and about 30 centimeters.
8. The adapter of claim 1 , wherein the height comprises between about 1 centimeter and about 10 centimeters.
9. The adapter of claim 1 , wherein the generally circular member comprises primarily polyvinyl chloride, primarily chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, primarily poly propylene, or combinations thereof.
10. The adapter of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of lugs disposed on an exterior circumference of the generally circular member.
11. The adapter of claim 1 , wherein the generally circular member comprises a generally uniform cross sectional thickness.
12. The adapter of claim 11 , wherein the generally uniform cross sectional thickness comprises between about 0.2 centimeters and about 5 centimeters.
13. A fine bubble aeration assembly comprising:
a diffuser holder initially designed to contain a membrane diffuser element and for connection to a supply system;
an adapter connected to the diffuser holder with a height adapted to receive a ceramic diffuser element;
a ceramic diffuser element disposed within the adapter; and
a retaining ring connected to the adapter.
14. The assembly of claim 13 , further comprising:
a first gasket material disposed between at least a portion of the diffuser holder and at least a portion of the adapter; and
a second gasket material disposed between at least a portion of the ceramic diffuser element and at least a portion of the retaining ring.
15. The assembly of claim 14 , wherein the first gasket material and the second gasket material each comprise an o-ring.
16. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the adapter comprises a generally circular member comprising:
a top with a male threaded connection adapted to receive the retaining ring;
a bottom with a female threaded connection adapted to receive the aeration diffuser holder initially designed to contain a membrane diffuser element;
a diameter adapted to receive the ceramic diffuser element; and
a height adapted to receive the ceramic diffuser element and at least accommodate the male threaded connection and the female threaded connection.
17. The assembly of claim 16 , wherein:
the diameter comprises between about 10 centimeters and about 30 centimeters; and
the height comprises between about 1 centimeter and about 10 centimeters.
18. A manifold comprising a plurality of the aeration assemblies of claim 13 .
19. An aeration basin comprising the aeration assemblies of claim 13 .
20. A method of converting an aeration diffuser holder from a membrane diffuser element holder to a ceramic diffuser element holder, the method comprising:
installing an adapter on a diffuser holder initially designed to contain a membrane diffuser element;
placing a ceramic diffuser element within the adapter; and
installing a retaining ring on the adapter.
21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising:
sealing a connection between the diffuser holder and the adapter; and
sealing a connection between the adapter and the retaining ring.
22. The method of claim 20 , wherein both the installing steps comprise manually threading connections together without tools.
23. The method of claim 20 , further comprising:
removing the retaining ring from the diffuser holder; and
removing a membrane diffuser element from the diffuser holder.
24. A method of aerating a fluid, the method comprising:
at least partially submerging an aeration assembly in a fluid, wherein the aeration assembly comprises a diffuser holder initially designed to contain a membrane diffuser element, an adapter connected to the diffuser holder, a ceramic diffuser element disposed within the adapter, and a retaining ring connected to adapter; and
sparging air from the aeration assembly through at least a portion of the fluid.