WASTEWATER
The Universal Mount allows for aerator maintenance to be performed without the need for operators to enter the basin or reach over railing.
New mounting system allows for easier and safer aeration system maintenance By Erin (Kober) Biesanz, Jing Huang and Josh Sablan
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hrough conversations with plant operators and service experience, Aeration Industries recognized the importance of maintenance and safety for those servicing wastewater aeration equipment. The idea to develop a mount on a sliding pedestal so operators could maintain equipment safely on the walkway was conceived. The secondary goal was to reduce the cost of maintenance and give plant operators the ability to service equipment on their own versus having to hire service teams. Plant operators are also facing strict permit limits, allowing less downtime for maintenance and repairs,
24 | February 2018
so this needs to be done efficiently without having to shut down the whole plant. Conventionally installed aeration equip ment often requires difficult and time-consuming maintenance. Surface mounted equipment relieves a portion of these issues, as all working components are readily available for full service without shutting down operations. Float mounted surface aerators pose unique maintenance challenges, including: servicing from within the basin, the requirement of cranes, and the need to move equipment to the shoreline or basin perimeter. To address these unique concerns, Aeration Industries International developed the Aire-O2 Universal Mount. With the use of a patented slide design and a low cost “mini-crane”, aerators
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are hoisted and pivoted into a position that allows for simple service. The sliding mechanism allows the unit to move through varying water depths, creating a design that combines operational flexibility with ease of maintenance. The Universal Mount is an all stainless steel mounting structure that is partially submerged and installed on the walls or walkways of wastewater treatment basins. The structure has a sliding pedestal on rollers with a solid bearing. The solid bearing has no moving parts, so it is durable in harsh wastewater environments, especially in a submerged condition. The sliding pedestal travels on a 45-degree track that allows the aerator to be positioned at the desired height depending on the freeboard. On the
Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine