Abstract:
An aeration device includes a foam suppression system. The aeration device raises the level of oxygen and air in a body of substantially liquid fluid, such as an aerating-oxidizing pond, lagoon, basin, or reservoir. The aeration system is buoyant and floats on top of the body of fluid. The foam suppression system includes a submersible grinder pump coupled to a sprinkler head by a fluid conduction system. The submersible grinder pump draws in a fluid from beneath a surface of a body of fluid and pumps it through the fluid conduction system and out of the sprinkler head. The sprinkler head sprays the fluid drawn from beneath the fluid surface far outward onto an area surrounding the aeration device with surface foam. The falling water or fluid sprayed from the sprinkler head quashes the surface foam. The sprinkler head is disposed in a location on the aeration device suitable to suppress the surface foam.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to the subject matter of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/701,224 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AERATION,” filed Sep. 14, 2012. The content of the above identified patent document is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to aeration of fluids and more particularly to a system and method for foam suppression in an aeration system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    Bodies of water, such as ponds, basins, reservoirs, and lagoons are used to treat waste. Aerobic and anaerobic activities of certain bacteria is one way of treating waste. However, the byproducts of certain anaerobic bacteria give off unpleasant odors. Aerobic bacteria produce carbon dioxide as a byproduct, which does not produce such noxious odors. At times, the oxygen content of the water is insufficient to support the bacterial activity. Aeration increases the amount of oxygen in the wastewater. Certain methods of aeration produce bubbles at the surface of the aerated body of water. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0004]    To address one or more of the above-deficiencies of the prior art, various disclosed embodiments described in this disclosure provide an improved apparatus for and method of aerating ponds, lagoons, basins, and/or reservoirs. This apparatus is configured to be used in water treatment, wastewater treatment, industrial applications, aquaculture, and agricultural applications. This apparatus is configured to raise the dissolved oxygen level of the water, and to achieve high capacity water movement, foam suppression, evaporation, and cooling. 
         [0005]    An apparatus configured to aerate a body of substantially liquid fluid and to suppress a surface foam of the body of fluid is provided. The apparatus includes a fluid aeration system. The apparatus also includes a foam suppression system. The foam suppression system includes a submersible pump configured to draw in a fluid from beneath a surface of a body of fluid. The apparatus includes a sprinkler head in fluid communication with the submersible pump. The sprinkler head is configured to eject at least a portion of the drawn fluid onto a portion of the surface of the body of fluid. When the portion of the surface of the body of fluid comprises a surface foam, the portion of the fluid ejected from the sprinkler head suppresses the surface foam. 
         [0006]    A system for suppressing a surface foam of a body of fluid is provided. The system includes a submersible pump configured to draw in a fluid from beneath a surface of a body of fluid. The system includes a sprinkler head in fluid communication with the submersible pump. The sprinkler head is configured to eject at least a portion of the drawn fluid onto a portion of the surface of the body of fluid. When the portion of the surface of the body of fluid comprises surface foam, the portion of the fluid ejected from the sprinkler head suppresses the surface foam. 
         [0007]    A method for aerating a body of substantially liquid fluid and suppressing surface foam of the body of fluid is provided. The method includes aerating a body of fluid. The method includes drawing in a fluid from beneath a surface of the body of fluid. The method also includes ejecting at least a portion of the drawn fluid onto a portion of the surface of the body of fluid. The method includes suppressing the surface foam when the portion of the surface of the body of fluid comprises surface foam. 
         [0008]    Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words or phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, whether such a device is implemented in hardware, firmware, software or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller might be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. The phrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and only one item in the list may be needed. For example, “at least one of: A, B, and C” includes any of the following combinations: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; and A and B and C. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such definitions apply in many, if not most, instances to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. While some terms may include a wide variety of embodiments, the appended claims may expressly limit these terms to specific embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates an aeration system according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a filtration and foam suppression system according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate alternative views of the filtration and foam suppression system according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a method of aerating and suppressing foam of a body of fluid according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]      FIGS. 1 through 5 , described below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with reference to exemplary non-limiting embodiments. It should be understood at the outset that, although example embodiments are illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present invention should in no way be limited to the example implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates an aeration system  100  according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The aeration system  100  is configured to provide aeration to a body of fluid, such as a body of water. Examples of bodies of water include ponds, lagoons, basins, reservoirs, and the like. Aeration of the water body can create surface foam. The resulting surface foam can span several feet wide and deep. Although certain details will be provided with reference to the components of the aeration system  100 , it should be understood that other embodiments may include more, less, or different components. The aeration system  100  includes one or more floats  105 , a motor  110 , a pump shaft  115 , a turbo blower  120  at a first end of the aeration system; a pump  125 , a discharge pressure manifold  130  at a second end of the aeration system. The aeration system  100  includes a foam suppression system. The foam suppression system  100  includes a submersible pump  135 , a spray tower  140 , and sprinkler head  145  mounted in the middle of the spray tower. The aeration system  100  includes a frame  150  that provides structural support and stability for the aeration system  100  and the components of the aeration system and secures non-submersible components above the surface of the body of fluid. The frame  150  includes a one or a combination of support beams, support plates, trusses, and mounting supports. 
         [0016]    In certain embodiments, the aeration system  100  includes two floats  105  (or pontoons), one along the length of opposite sides of the aeration system  100 . The floats are configured to maintain the non-submersible components of the aerator system  100  above the surface of the body of water. The floats  105  comprise an expanded polystyrene core with a hybrid urethane coating. The coating of the float is impervious to diluted acids, alkalis and petroleum products. In certain embodiments, each float  105  is sheltered by a shell  165 , such as a 304-L stainless steel expanded metal shell. In certain embodiments, a support beam holds the floats together. The shell  165  can support the weight of at least two 240 pound service technicians, while the aeration system remains afloat. In certain embodiments, the length of the shell substantially extends the length of the aeration system. 
         [0017]    The motor  110  drives the pump shaft  115 . A toothed, drive system powers the single pump shaft  115  that drives the turbo blower  120  and the impeller. Water is drawn from below the surface into an impeller. The water drawn in is fed into the discharge pressure manifold  130 . In certain embodiments, the drive system does not include a gearbox. 
         [0018]    In certain embodiments, a motor hood covers the motor  110 . The motor hood is composed of 304-L stainless steel. The motor hood covers the motor, the drive belt, and maintenance-free pillow-block bearings. The motor hood is hinged to protect the motor  110  from direct exposure to the sun, precipitation, and water spray. 
         [0019]    The turbo blower  120  injects air into the wastewater stream. A pipe assembly  160  carries the oxygenated air mix from the turbo blower  120  to the discharge pressure manifold  130 . The air permeates the wastewater and forcibly discharges the wastewater out of the exits of the discharge pressure manifold  130 . In certain embodiments, the diameter of the pipe assembly  160  is between two and three inches. 
         [0020]    The discharge pressure manifold  130  includes a large discharge pipe. The discharge pipe includes a center portion extending approximately the outer width between the floats  105 . The discharge pipe includes two end portions, each end portion extending out from an end of the center portion. The diameter of the center portion is larger than the diameter of the diameter of the end portions. For example, in certain embodiments, the center portion of the discharge pipe includes a diameter that ranges from 10 to 16 inches, and the reduced diameter end portions of the discharge pipe includes a diameter that ranges from 6-10 inches. A top portion of the discharge pressure manifold  130  includes perforations that spray out a portion of the water, such as a one-third portion of the water within the discharge pressure manifold  130 . In certain embodiments, the center portion of the discharge pipe includes the top perforations and the end portions do not include top perforations. In certain embodiments, the discharge pipe comprises 305-L stainless steel. In certain embodiments, the exits of the discharge pipe include vanes to induce a vortex. The vortex creates negative pressure zones. The negative pressure zones increase the amount of air that can be injected. The high-pressure of the spraying removes dissolved gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and ammonia. 
         [0021]    The combination of the impeller action, the top discharge, and the side discharges creates large circular mixing areas. The mixing area raises the dissolved oxygen level over very large oxygen-deficient areas. The spray controls foam pulled toward the intake and assists with cooling and aeration. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates a foam suppression system  200  according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The foam suppression system  200  is configured to suppress a build-up of foam. In certain embodiments, foam suppression system  200  is also configured to filter large objects and particles from a body of fluid. For example, a filtration and foam suppression system  200  is configured to quash foam, which may result at or near the surface of a body of water from aeration activities, using water filtered of large objects and particles. Although certain details will be provided with reference to the components of the foam suppression system  200 , it should be understood that other embodiments may include more, less, or different components. The foam suppression system  200  includes the submersible pump  135  in fluid communication with a sprinkler head  145 . In certain embodiments, a fluid conductor assembly transports the fluid from the output of the submersible pump  135  to the input of the sprinkler head  145 . The fluid conductor assembly includes a flexible hose  210  and pipe  215 . 
         [0023]    In certain embodiments, a filtration system  205  is disposed around the submersible pump  135 . For example, the filtration system  205  may surround the submersible pump  135 . The filtration system  205  includes one or more of the following: a grating, a cage, a pipe filter, and or another suitable filter material. The filtration system  205  blocks, removes or otherwise inhibits a passage of large objects or particles from flowing into the submersible pump  135 . 
         [0024]    The submersible pump  135  draws fluid up from beneath the surface of the body of water. The output of submersible pump  135  releases the drawn fluid into an inlet of the first end of the fluid conductor assembly. In certain embodiments, the submersible pump  135  includes a grinder pump, or other suitable waste management pump. When waste objects or particles flow through the filtration system  205 , the grinder pump is configured to grind those waste objects or particles into a fine slurry. The grinder pump prevents clogging of the fluid path including the flexible hose  210  and the pipe  215 . 
         [0025]    The fluid conductor assembly includes a first end coupled to the output of the submersible pump  135 , and a second end coupled to the input of the sprinkler head  145 . The fluid conductor assembly provides a fluid path that puts the sprinkler head  145  in fluid communication with submersible pump  135 . The path of the fluid within the fluid conductor assembly begins at the first end of the fluid conductor assembly. For example, the first end of the fluid conductor assembly includes an inlet (or first open end) of the flexible hose  210 . The fluid flows through flexible hose  210 , through the second end of the flexible hose  210 . The second end of the flexible hose  210  is coupled to a first end of the pipe  215 . The fluid exits the flexible hose  215  and enters the bottom end of the pipe  215 . The fluid flows through the pipe  215 , through the top end of the pipe  215 . The top end of the pipe  215  is coupled to the input of the sprinkler head  145 . The fluid exits the fluid conductor assembly at the top end of the pipe  215  and enters the input of the sprinkler head  145 . In certain embodiments, the flexible hose  210  comprises flexible stainless steel hosing. In certain embodiments, the pipe  215  comprises stainless steel piping. 
         [0026]    The sprinkler head  145  ejects the fluid outward onto an area surrounding the aeration system  100 . The spraying or sprinkling of the fluid onto the area surrounding the aeration system  100  causes a suppression of foam from forming around the aeration system  100 . The sprinkler head  145  includes any device configured to dispense water over a 100 feet radius or further. The sprinkler head  145  rotates to spray the water at various angles. In certain embodiments, the sprinkler head  145  rotates continuously to spray 360 degrees. In certain embodiments, the sprinkler head  145  completes each revolution at a speed of 360 degrees per 1.3 minutes. In certain embodiments, the sprinkler head  145  rotates repeatedly to spray fewer than 360 degrees. The sprinkler head  145  is disposed above the discharge pressure manifold  130 . In certain embodiments, the sprinkler head ejects the water from height above the height of the motor (including the motor hood). The sprinkler head  145  is mounted in the middle of a spray tower  140 . 
         [0027]    The spray tower  140  provides structural support for the sprinkler head. In certain embodiments, the spray tower  140  includes a plurality of support plates welded to the pipe  215 . The support plates secure the pipe  215  in the middle of the spray tower  140 , such as in the center of the spray tower. The spray tower is coupled to the support beams and trusses of the frame  150 , and the coupling secures the spray tower  145  between the floats  105 . 
         [0028]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate alternate views of the filtration and foam suppression system  200  according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Although certain details will be provided with reference to the components of the aeration system  100  and filtration and foam suppression system  200  of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , it should be understood that other embodiments may include more, less, or different components. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  illustrates method  500  of aerating and suppressing foam of a body of fluid according to embodiments of the present disclosure. An aeration device (i.e., an apparatus including an aeration system) or a foam suppression system perform the method  500 . The method  500  includes aerating a body of fluid in block  510 . The method  500  includes drawing in a fluid from beneath a surface of the body of fluid in block  520 . In block  530 , the method  500  includes ejecting at least a portion of the drawn fluid onto a portion of the surface of the body of fluid. The method  500  includes suppressing the surface foam when the portion of the surface of the body of fluid comprises surface foam in block  540 . 
         [0030]    Although various features have been shown in the figures and described above, various changes may be made to the figures. For example, the size, shape, arrangement, and layout of components shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4  are for illustration only. Each component could have any suitable size, shape, and dimensions, and multiple components could have any suitable arrangement and layout. Also, various components in  FIGS. 1 through 4  could be combined, further subdivided, or omitted and additional components could be added according to particular needs. Further, each component in a device or system could be implemented using any suitable structure(s) for performing the described function(s). In addition, while  FIG. 5  illustrates various series of steps that could overlap, occur in parallel, occur multiple times, or occur in a different order. 
         [0031]    Although an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, variations, and improvements disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure in its broadest form. 
         [0032]    None of the description in the present application should be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential element which must be included in the claim scope: the scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims. Moreover, none of these claims are intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 USC §112 unless the exact words “means for are followed by a participle.