In recent years, membrane diffuser manufacturers have produced rubber diffuser membranes in standardized sizes. Practically, this standardization means that you can fit new membranes onto an old system without difficulty. Especially with SSI’s rubber diffuser membranes, which come in a wide variety of sizes, you are likely to find high-quality diffuser membranes that fit your needs.
SSI also supplies retrofit kits that contain all the equipment necessary for switching an existing ceramic diffuser system to a membrane diffuser system. So plant managers can rest easy knowing that nothing will be overlooked. To retrofit your existing ceramic system, SSI would examine the existing infrastructure using an in-depth checklist. Technicians would flag any potential issues and discuss solutions, and they would work with contractors and staff to train them on proper installation techniques and maintenance procedures.
To retrofit the old system, technicians would dewater and clean the tank and remove the old diffusers. They would install the membrane diffusers and new piping as necessary. They would also replace or upgrade the air filtration system as needed.
Often, the existing blowers can work with the new system. A plant would need to consider its current pipe installation and think about installing new piping to maximize the efficiency of the new rubber membrane diffusers. Sometimes new pipes can be installed at the same level as the old pipes. At other times, they may be installed higher off the floor to compensate for the higher headloss that may accompany the new rubber diffuser membranes.
The cities of Phoenix and Los Angeles recently retrofitted their existing systems to replace ceramic diffusers with rubber membrane diffusers. These successful operations show that retrofitting with rubber membrane diffusers can be an excellent option for modernizing a wastewater aeration system.