Aeration
Encyclopedia
Aeration is the process
by which air is circulated through, mixed with or dissolved
in a liquid
or substance.
Porous ceramic diffusers are made by fusing aluminum oxide grains using porcelain bonds to form a strong, uniformly porous and homogeneous structure. The naturally hydrophilic material is easily wetted resulting in the production of fine, uniform bubbles.
On a given volume of air or liquid, the surface area
changes proportionally with drop or bubble size, the very surface area where exchange can occur. Utilizing extremely small bubbles or drops increases the rate of gas transfer (aeration) due to the higher contact surface area. The pores which these bubbles pass through are generally micrometre-size.
Aeration commonly refers to the process of using mechanized equipment to either puncture the soil with spikes (spike aeration) or remove approximately 1"X2" cores of soil from the ground (core aeration). Aeration may be overlooked when trying to restore a lawn
but is vital to bring it back to health. It improves drainage and reduces puddles formation.
Spike aeration involves the use of an aeration machine
with spikes up to a foot or more in length. It is sometimes used to address drainage issues in areas with turf.
Core aeration is done on turf areas as a means of reducing turf compaction, reducing thatch buildup, improving the infiltration of water/nutrients, and creating an environment where grass seed can have direct contact with the soil.
There are many types of lawn aerator
s including walk behind models, ride on versions and tractor pulled versions.
In wine tasting
, a variety of methods are used to aerate wine and bring out the aromas including swirl wine in the glass, use of a decanter
to increase exposure to air, or a specialized wine aerator.
Cider from Asturias
is poured into the glass from a height of about 1 metre (el escanciado) to increase aeration.
Systems engineering process
A systems engineering process is a process for applying systems engineering techniques to the development of all kinds of systems. Systems engineering processes are related to the stages in a system life cycle...
by which air is circulated through, mixed with or dissolved
Solvation
Solvation, also sometimes called dissolution, is the process of attraction and association of molecules of a solvent with molecules or ions of a solute...
in a liquid
Liquid
Liquid is one of the three classical states of matter . Like a gas, a liquid is able to flow and take the shape of a container. Some liquids resist compression, while others can be compressed. Unlike a gas, a liquid does not disperse to fill every space of a container, and maintains a fairly...
or substance.
Aeration of liquids
Methods
Aeration of liquids (usually water) is achieved by:- passing the liquid through air by means of fountainFountainA fountain is a piece of architecture which pours water into a basin or jets it into the air either to supply drinking water or for decorative or dramatic effect....
s, cascadesWaterfallA waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
, paddle-wheels or cones. - passing air through the liquid by means of the Venturi tube, aeration turbinesAeration TurbineAeration Turbines are designed to aerate and mix fluids industrially. They are foremost used in brewing, pond aeration and sewage treatment plants.Aeration Turbines are designed for mixing gases, usually air, with a liquid, usually water...
or compressed airCompressed airCompressed air is air which is kept under a certain pressure, usually greater than that of the atmosphere. In Europe, 10 percent of all electricity used by industry is used to produce compressed air, amounting to 80 terawatt hours consumption per year....
which can be combined with diffuser(s) air stone(s), as well as fine bubble diffusersFine bubble diffusersFine bubble diffusers are a pollution control technology used to aerate wastewater for sewage treatment. They produce a plethora of very small air bubbles which rise slowly from the floor of a wastewater treatment plant or sewage treatment plant aeration tank and provide substantial and efficient...
, coarse bubble diffusersCoarse bubble diffusersCoarse bubble diffusers are a pollution control technology used to aerate and or mix wastewater for sewage treatment. They produce 1/4 to 1/2 inch bubbles which rise rapidly from the floor of a wastewater treatment plant or sewage treatment plant tank...
or linear aeration tubing. Ceramics are suitable for this purpose, often involving dispersion of fine air or gas bubbles through the porous ceramic into a liquid. The smaller the bubbles, the more gas is exposed to the liquid increasing the gas transfer efficiency. Diffusers or spargers can also be designed into the system to cause turbulence or mixing if desired.
Porous ceramic diffusers are made by fusing aluminum oxide grains using porcelain bonds to form a strong, uniformly porous and homogeneous structure. The naturally hydrophilic material is easily wetted resulting in the production of fine, uniform bubbles.
On a given volume of air or liquid, the surface area
Surface area
Surface area is the measure of how much exposed area a solid object has, expressed in square units. Mathematical description of the surface area is considerably more involved than the definition of arc length of a curve. For polyhedra the surface area is the sum of the areas of its faces...
changes proportionally with drop or bubble size, the very surface area where exchange can occur. Utilizing extremely small bubbles or drops increases the rate of gas transfer (aeration) due to the higher contact surface area. The pores which these bubbles pass through are generally micrometre-size.
Uses of aeration of liquids
- To restrict flow of tap water at the faucet
- Production of aerated waterAerated waterAerated water is, correctly speaking, distilled water to which purified air is added to improve its flavor.The term is, however, frequently applied to carbonated water.-Purpose of aeration:...
or colaColaCola is a carbonated beverage that was typically flavored by the kola nut as well as vanilla and other flavorings, however, some colas are now flavored artificially. It became popular worldwide after druggist John Pemberton invented Coca-Cola in 1886...
for drinking purposes - Secondary treatment of sewageSewageSewage is water-carried waste, in solution or suspension, that is intended to be removed from a community. Also known as wastewater, it is more than 99% water and is characterized by volume or rate of flow, physical condition, chemical constituents and the bacteriological organisms that it contains...
or industrial wastewaterWastewaterWastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influence. It comprises liquid waste discharged by domestic residences, commercial properties, industry, and/or agriculture and can encompass a wide range of potential contaminants and concentrations...
through use of aerating mixers/diffusersDiffuser (sewage)An air diffuser or membrane diffuser is an aeration device typically in the shape of a disc, tube or plate, which is used to transfer air and with that oxygen into sewage or industrial wastewater. Oxygen is required by microorganisms/bacteria residents in the water to break down the pollutants... - To increase the oxygenOxygenOxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...
content of water used to house animals, such as aquarium fishFishkeepingFishkeeping is a popular hobby concerned with keeping fish in a home aquarium or garden pond. There is also a fishkeeping industry, as a branch of agriculture.-Types of fishkeeping systems:...
or fish farm - To increase oxygen content of wort (unfermented beer) or mustMustMust is freshly pressed fruit juice that contains the skins, seeds, and stems of the fruit. The solid portion of the must is called pomace; it typically makes up 7%–23% of the total weight of the must. Making must is the first step in winemaking...
(unfermented wine) to allow yeast to propagate and begin fermentationFermentation (food)Fermentation in food processing typically is the conversion of carbohydrates to alcohols and carbon dioxide or organic acids using yeasts, bacteria, or a combination thereof, under anaerobic conditions. Fermentation in simple terms is the chemical conversion of sugars into ethanol... - To dispel other dissolved gases such as carbon dioxideCarbon dioxideCarbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
or chlorineChlorineChlorine is the chemical element with atomic number 17 and symbol Cl. It is the second lightest halogen, found in the periodic table in group 17. The element forms diatomic molecules under standard conditions, called dichlorine... - In chemistry, to oxidise a compound dissolved or suspended in water
- To induce mixing of a body of otherwise still water
- JacuzziJacuzziJacuzzi is a company that produces whirlpool bathtubs and spas. Its first product was a bath with massaging jets. The term "jacuzzi" is now often used generically to refer to any bathtub with massaging jets.-History:...
- Pond aeration
Aeration of soil
Refers to the extent of air gaps in soil.Aeration commonly refers to the process of using mechanized equipment to either puncture the soil with spikes (spike aeration) or remove approximately 1"X2" cores of soil from the ground (core aeration). Aeration may be overlooked when trying to restore a lawn
Lawn
A lawn is an area of aesthetic and recreational land planted with grasses or other durable plants, which usually are maintained at a low and consistent height. Low ornamental meadows in natural landscaping styles are a contemporary option of a lawn...
but is vital to bring it back to health. It improves drainage and reduces puddles formation.
Spike aeration involves the use of an aeration machine
Lawn aerator
A lawn aerator is a garden tool or machine designed to aerate the soil in which lawn grasses grow. Aeration improves soil drainage and encourages worms, microfauna and microflora which require oxygen.-Lawn problems:...
with spikes up to a foot or more in length. It is sometimes used to address drainage issues in areas with turf.
Core aeration is done on turf areas as a means of reducing turf compaction, reducing thatch buildup, improving the infiltration of water/nutrients, and creating an environment where grass seed can have direct contact with the soil.
There are many types of lawn aerator
Lawn aerator
A lawn aerator is a garden tool or machine designed to aerate the soil in which lawn grasses grow. Aeration improves soil drainage and encourages worms, microfauna and microflora which require oxygen.-Lawn problems:...
s including walk behind models, ride on versions and tractor pulled versions.
Aeration in food
Refers to the process in which air, or CO2, is absorbed into the food item. It refers to the lightness of cakes, bread and some sauces.In wine tasting
Wine tasting
Wine tasting is the sensory examination and evaluation of wine. While the practice of wine tasting is as ancient as its production, a more formalized methodology has slowly become established from the 14th century onwards...
, a variety of methods are used to aerate wine and bring out the aromas including swirl wine in the glass, use of a decanter
Decanter
A decanter is a vessel that is used to hold the decantation of a liquid which may contain sediment. Decanters are normally used as serving vessels for wine. Decanters vary in shape and design. They are usually made of an inert material and will hold at least one standard bottle of wine...
to increase exposure to air, or a specialized wine aerator.
Cider from Asturias
Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
is poured into the glass from a height of about 1 metre (el escanciado) to increase aeration.