Products & Technology

Retrievable & Floating Fine Bubble Aeration Systems

Mapal’s Retrievable fine bubble aerators offer a variety of solutions to meet your aeration demands. Our modular units, all fully Retrievable, can be either Floating or  Stationary, as per the reactor requirements, and  allow for bespoke solutions in any wastewater application.

We have made our equipment simple to install and easy to maintain, saving you both time and money. Efficient design and high quality materials make our units a reliable and long lasting solution, even in aggressive environments.

Mapal’s patented systems approach the challenge of biological wastewater treatment, both municipal and industrial, by merging the ease of installation of surface aeration technologies with the efficiency of sub-surface fine bubble aeration systems.

Each unit incorporates a structure and tubular fine bubble diffusers from robust stainless steel (other materials available on request); a balancing system of UV resistant Polypropylene floats;  an inbuilt airlift purge system to remove condensation and liquids that may have entered the piping system; and we accommodate our clients with a wide range of membrane materials, including EPDM, PU, Silicone and more, to suit the specific wastewater conditions.

Floating Fine Bubble Aeration
Grid Unit

FFBA – Grid unit

  • Floating and Retrievable
  • Mapal SS diffuser
  • Air Flow rate – Up to 1000 Nm3/hr
  • Robust structure
  • Excellent floor coverage

Floating Fine Bubble Aeration
Spiral Unit

FFBA – Spiral unit

  • Floating and Retrievable
  • Mapal Spiral diffuser
  • Air Flow rate – Up to 500 Nm3/hr
  • Low cost

Retrievable Fine Bubble Aeration
Grid Unit

RFBA – Grid unit

  • Retrievable
  • Mapal SS diffuser
  • Air Flow rate – Up to 1000 Nm3/hr
  • Robust structure
  • Excellent floor coverage

Retrievable Fine Bubble Aeration Spiral Unit

RFBA – Spiral unit

  • Retrievable
  • Mapal Spiral diffuser
  • Air Flow rate – Up to 500 Nm3/hr
  • Low cost

Custom Design

Custom made design to specific customer requirements.

Airlift Purge System

Each aeration unit has its own airlift purge system to remove condensation
and liquids that may have entered the piping system.

Diffusers

Our fine bubble diffusers are designed and manufactured by Mapal and are implemented in both our Retrievable Fine Bubble Aeration systems and Floating Fine Bubble Aeration systems.

The tubular diffusers designed and manufactured by Mapal are comprised of a stainless steel tube, fitted with fine bubble membranes, providing our clients a robust system with a long life-span.
The unique tubular diffuser is extremely reliable and is the standard diffuser in all our grid systems.
The diffuser has a flanged connection to the main air pipe and is available in lengths of up to 2 meters, which results in excellent floor coverage.
Mapal uses standard tubular fine bubble membranes (90mmØ) which are held in place by high quality stainless steel clamps and are available in a variety of materials, including EPDM, Silicon, PTFE and PU. Our diffusers are significantly more economical compared to plastic diffusers, when considering long term use, as only the membrane itself requires replacement for maintenance purposes. The stainless steel inner-tube of the diffuser does not break under the weight of ragging and/or sludge as is common with plastic diffusers.

Benefits: Why choose Mapal Aeration Solutions?

  • Installation and maintenance are done quickly and easily with a crane, in full and active concrete reactors or dug out lagoons, with no process interruption and no downtime, as there is no need to drain the aeration basin.
  • The units can be installed in addition to any existing aeration system – alongside fixed-to-the floor diffusers or surface aerators – with no need to modify the plant’s infrastructure.
  • Modular units are easy to add, remove or reposition as the process demands, with no need to stop or drain the reactor.
  • Installation can be performed in any type of aeration basin, no matter the floor type. The units float levelled above the floor or above fixed-to-the-floor diffusers.
  • Adjustable air flow rates can be supplied to individual units.
  • We provide excellent floor coverage.
  • Installation and maintenance are safe. No wall or floor guide rails are necessary; there is no need for people to enter the water by bridge or boat.
  • The systems can be custom-made for any type of reactor or lagoon at every scale of operation, are suitable for supplemental aeration or upgrade for existing plants and for new builds.
  • Mapal provides reliable quality service with full pre-sale and post-sale support.
  • We can provide aeration treatment of contaminated natural water sources where oxygen is urgently required to rejuvenate the environment.

Mapal Brochure in English

Mapal Brochure in Spanish

What is Fine Bubble Aeration?

Fine Bubble Aeration is an advanced aeration technique utilized in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. Unlike traditional surface aeration, which relies on large bubbles to introduce air into the water, Fine Bubble Aeration employs small bubbles with diameters typically ranging from 0.5 to 2 mm.

The process involves diffusing air through a submerged system of porous membranes located at the bottom of the treatment tank. As air is released through these fine pores, it forms a dense cloud of tiny bubbles that rise slowly through the water column, facilitating efficient oxygen transfer and mixing.

Advantages of Fine Bubble Aeration

Fine Bubble Aeration offers several significant advantages over surface aeration methods:

  1. Increased Oxygen Transfer Efficiency: Fine bubbles have a higher surface area-to-volume ratio compared to larger bubbles. This increased surface area allows for enhanced contact between air and water, maximizing oxygen transfer efficiency. As a result, Fine Bubble Aeration promotes more effective biological treatment processes.
  2. Energy Efficiency: Fine Bubble Aeration systems are designed to operate at lower pressure levels compared to surface aeration equipment. This results in reduced energy consumption, making Fine Bubble Aeration a cost-effective solution for long-term operation.
  1. Enhanced Mixing and Circulation: The slow ascent of fine bubbles through the water promotes thorough mixing and circulation, preventing stratification and ensuring uniform distribution of oxygen. This helps maintain optimal conditions for microbial activity and reduces the risk of dead zones within the treatment tank.
  2. Reduced Maintenance Requirements: Tubular Fine Bubble Aeration diffuser systems are often equipped with durable, corrosion-resistant materials, such as silicone or EPDM membranes.
  3. Modular Design: The modular design of Retrievable Fine Bubble Aeration systems allows for easy access and replacement of individual components, further reducing downtime and operational costs.
  4. Flexibility and Scalability: Fine Bubble Aeration systems can be customized to suit the specific requirements of various treatment processes and plant configurations. Whether used in municipal wastewater treatment plants, industrial effluent treatment facilities, or aquaculture systems, Fine Bubble Aeration offers scalability and adaptability to diverse applications.

Conclusion

Fine Bubble Aeration represents a significant advancement in the field of wastewater treatment, offering superior oxygen transfer efficiency, energy savings, and operational benefits compared to traditional surface aeration methods. By harnessing the power of fine bubbles, this innovative technology is driving sustainability and efficiency in water resource management worldwide.