• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.233-240
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• 2016

The research aims to study the different flexible rubber tube diffusers used in urban wastewater treatment processes and aquaculture systems. The experiment was conducted in small-scale aeration tank with different physical properties of the tubes that were used as aerators. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient ($k_La$), oxygen transfer efficiency (OTE) and aeration efficiency (AE) were measured and determined to compare the diffusers. Moreover, the bubble hydrodynamic parameters were analyzed in terms of bubble diameter ($d_B$) and rising velocity ($U_B$) by a high speed camera (2,000 frames/s). Then the interfacial area (a) and liquid-side mass transfer coefficient ($k_L$) can be calculated. The physical properties (tube wall thickness, tensile strength, orifice size, hardness and elongation) have been proven to be the key factor that controls the performance (kLa and OTE). The effects of hardness and elongation on bubble formation, orifice size and a-area were clearly proved. It is not necessary to generate too much fine bubbles to increase the a-area: this relates to high power consumption and the decrease of the kL. Finally, the wall thickness, elongation and hardness associated of the flexible tube diffuser (tube No. 12) were concluded, to be the suitable properties for practically producing, in this research.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.21-24
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• 2008

This study proposes a optimized shape of diffuser profile through investigating the scattering and diffusion characteristics of diffusers. The scattering coefficient according to ISO 17497-1 evaluates uniformity of reverberant sound field of late reflections, while the diffusion coefficient according to AES-4id-2001 evaluates polar response of early reflections. Thus both scattering and diffusion characteristics should contribute to design shape of diffusers to maximize physical performance. To find out design method, the previous results on hemisphere diffusers are reviewed. The frequency characteristics of scattering coefficients depended on the structural height of the diffusers, while amount of scattering coefficients depended on the surface coverage density of the diffusers. However absorptive properties also increased with augment of surface coverage density, thus optimum coverage density should be considered. For the directional diffuser, three types of 2D-diffusers are proposed; semicylinder of h=5mm, semi-truncated cone of h=5-25mm and semicylinder of h=25mm. As results, diffusers with the maximum height of 25mm show the highest scattering coefficients, while diffuser of h=5mm shows high scattering coefficients only at the high-frequency bands. Diffusion coefficient will be investigated for diffusive properties of the early reflection.