Aerobic Treatment Units (ATU)
Wastewater aeration, or the introduction of air/mixing into wastewater, has been a common practice in wastewater treatment for nearly 100 years. The reason this is done is to introduce oxygen into the water and generate higher bacterial growth rates. In fact, one can think of septic tanks as the opposite of aeration tanks, because septic tanks work to reduce agitation and rely on the natural settling of solid wastes to the top and bottom of the tank creating a middle liquid layer.
One might think encouraging bacteria to grow in aeration tanks may be counterproductive, but the bacteria aid in the digestion of the organic wastes contained in the wastewater.
Here is a list of some common aerobic treatment units:
Multi-Flo Aerobic Treatment System
The multi-flo aeration treatment unit is a self contained treatment tank. The tank contains a central aeration chamber, fixed media filtration compartment, and settling chamber.
characteristic Multi-Flo treatment unit turtle-shell lid
aeration chamber and high water alarm
inner bowl
inner bowl removed shows filtration and clarification area
The Multi-Flo treatment unit uses a linear air compressor. Linear air compressors are usually mounted exterior to the tank as opposed to the top mounted variety.
linear air compressor
Norweco Aerobic Treatment System
Overview
Norweco is a long established wastewater treatment technology company. The technique Norweco uses for treatment centers around a top mounted aeration motor, compartmentalized tank, filtration and settling chamber, and optionally U.V. or ultraviolet light for disinfection.
Norweco Singulair 960
Norweco TNT recently installed
The Norweco Singulair aerobic treatment unit is designed to treat wastewater to such a high level that you could safely discharge it to the nearest creek, stream, or river. Note the control panel, mounted at the tank. Additionally, the control panel can be mounted on the house. It should always be accessible to service providers.
top mounted aeration motor
Norweco treatment unit with timed-dosing
recently installed Norweco N11 with dose tank
recently installed Norweco N11 with dose tank
this is what a Norweco treatment unit would look like installed
recently installed Norweco TNT with dose tank
Norweco TNT control panel mounted on the side of the house
The Norweco units use their patented Biokinetic Filter. This is a fixed media, plastic honeycomb structure, which has a lot of surface area for bacteria to grow on further trapping waste particles for further digestions.
this is the Biokinetic filter with a lid on
a Biokinetic filter with normal flow
Biokinetic filter showing some saturation
Norweco Singulair 900
This unit is not sold anymore but was on of the first Norweco aerobic treatment units that utilized the tank design, aeration, and filtration.
Norweco Singulair 900 aeration motor
first generation Norweco filter
Note the same lid/tank configuration
Nayadic Aerobic Treatment System
this is what a Nayadic treatment unit would look like installed
internal view with lid removed, clarification chamber, note the vigorous aeration
outer ring is a settling chamber
The Nayadic treatment unit uses a linear air compressor. Linear air compressors are usually mounted exterior to the tank as opposed to the top mounted variety.
linear air compressor