WASTEWATER TREATMENT WITH INDEPENDENTLY CONTROLLED AERATION AND MIXING
Fine-bubble-producing aeration units and large-bubble-producing (or other mechanical) mixing units are interspersed with each other in a given body of water to be treated. The two different types of units are independently controlled to independently regulate degrees of aeration and mixing in the given body of water.
1 . In a wastewater treatment facility having fine-bubble-producing aeration units and mixing units interspersed with each other in a given body of water, the method comprising:
controlling a rate of fine-bubble production via the fine-bubble-producing aeration units; and
independently controlling a rate of mixing of water in the body of water using the mixing units.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mixing units comprise large-bubble-producing mixing units and wherein fine-bubble-based aeration and large-bubble-based mixing are conducted at different times with respect to each other.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the fine-bubble-producing aeration units and the large-bubble-producing mixing units are supplied with air from a common source of air and wherein rates of air delivery to the fine-bubble-producing aeration units and the large-bubble-producing mixing units are independently controlled.