A compact, powerful aerator for wastewater treatment
Air-O-Lator Commercial
Highlights
Minimal spray drift
A specially-designed diffuser mounted on top of the aerator minimises spray-drift while maximising aeration. This is done through diverting the direction of the ejected water without impeding the flow.
Unrivalled mixing ability
The diffuser on top of the Air-O-Lator Commercial is also designed to push the oxygenated water down into the waterbody where it disperses over a wide range and thoroughly mixes the water. This ability to mix and disperse water is not only crucial for wastewater treatment but is unique for an aerator of this size.
Solar options available
We have 1.5hp and 3hp solar options available. The 3hp motor aerates up to 1 acre. You can easily combine units for larger lagoons. You'll typically need 4 solar panels for a 1.5hp motor or 8 solar panels for a 3hp motor.
Easy to install, move and combine
Air-O-Lator’s Commercial Aerator units are small enough to be picked up by hand and are easy to combine and spread out so you can ensure your entire water body is properly mixed and aerated.
What's included in the Commercial Aerator kit
Nanobubble
Highlights
01
Adds up to 95% pure O2 into water Standard aerators add around 20% oxygen.
02
O2 remains in water longer Nanobubbles don't float like regular bubbles. They can remain suspended in water for weeks.
03
Hydroxyl radicals for "cleaning" Nanobubbles release hydroxyl radicals, one of the strongest known oxidants.
Bubbles don’t float to surface
Unlike larger bubbles that immediately take off towards the surface and rupture, nanobubbles tend to remain in suspension. This is because of brownian motion, aka the bubbles are so small they move with no preferential direction of flow. In ideal conditions, nanobubbles can remain in your water for weeks.
Oxygenates deeper waters
Following on from above, nanobubbles have almost zero buoyancy. This means they don’t travel straight for the surface, but instead tend to follow currents and end up in deeper parts of dams, lakes and wastewater lagoons.
Longer lasting bubbles
Those nanobubbles that don’t collide and break apart when first leaving the aerator tend to stick around for longer than regular bubbles because of the structural integrity of the nanobubbles. It’s like comparing the fragility of a balloon barely blown up compared to one blown to 500 times the size. These mighty little bubbles can hang around for a long time.
Increased levels of oxidation
Nanobubbles have also been shown to release the hydroxyl radical, one of the strongest known oxidants. This can occur when the nanobubbles collapse. The radicals scour surfaces and prevent biofilm growth which not only helps clean irrigation pipes, drip lines etc, but also reduces how much chemical you need.
Attracted to organic matter
Nanobubbles have a much stronger negative surface charge than regular bubbles. This makes them more attracted to positively charged organic matter like precipitated metals, pollutants and dangerous cyanotoxins. This is a good thing obviously because bringing oxygen to these compounds helps to render them inactive.
Click the link above or call 1300 283 387 for more info on our nanobubble aerators
Air-O-Lator Professional
This aerator is similar to the Air-O-Lator Commercial but slightly lower in cost because it doesn't include the spray-drift diffuser. You could consider this option if spray-drift isn't a big concern. Note: the Professional also has low spray-drift but not to the degree of the Commercial.
Vertex
A Vertex sub-surface aeration system may be an option if you have low amounts of nutrient in your water, e.g. to improve water in a pond that has already been largely treated. If you need a lot of aeration, however, you'll need a surface aerator.
Air-O-Lator Evaporator
Not an aerator, but we also have an Evaporator specifically designed to speed up the process of evaporating water in leachate evaporation ponds. Like all of Air-O-Lator units, the Evaporator sits in a float which can be easily moved around the pond. You can use multiple units to further speed up the process of evaporation.
FAQs: Answers from Scotty Tucker
A wastewater aerator adds oxygen to wastewater while also mixing the water. This helps maintain aerobic conditions and keeps the waterbody circulating rather than allowing stagnant, oxygen-depleted zones to develop.
Surface wastewater aerators work by drawing water up and exposing it to the atmosphere, allowing oxygen to enter the water before it is returned to the lagoon. The movement also helps distribute oxygenated water throughout the waterbody.
For wastewater applications, aeration is about more than simply adding oxygen. Effective mixing is also important because it helps distribute oxygen and prevents areas of the lagoon from becoming stagnant.
Wastewater contains organic material and other substances that can create a high oxygen demand as they break down. Without sufficient oxygen and mixing, parts of a lagoon can become oxygen-depleted and anaerobic.
Aeration helps maintain oxygen levels while keeping the water moving and mixed. This can support biological treatment processes and help manage problems associated with stagnant, poorly oxygenated wastewater.
The right aeration system depends on the wastewater characteristics, lagoon size, depth, oxygen demand and required level of mixing.
Wastewater lagoons can place much greater demands on an aerator than a typical ornamental pond or farm dam.
A wastewater aerator needs to deliver substantial oxygen transfer and mixing, while also being suited to the conditions of the lagoon. Spray drift can also be an important consideration, particularly where the lagoon is close to buildings, roads, neighbouring properties or areas where people work.
The Air-O-Lator Commercial was specifically designed for wastewater applications and combines high-volume water movement with strong oxygen transfer and minimal spray drift.
There isn't one aerator that is right for every wastewater lagoon. The appropriate system depends on the size and depth of the lagoon, wastewater characteristics, oxygen demand, required mixing and available power.
The Air-O-Lator Commercial is designed specifically for demanding wastewater applications and is available in multiple sizes. It can also be combined with additional units where a larger lagoon requires more coverage.
The Air-O-Lator Professional can be considered where a lower-cost surface aerator is appropriate and spray drift is less of a concern. Nanobubble systems may be worth considering where deeper oxygenation and prolonged oxygen availability are priorities.
For deeper water or situations where heavy aeration is not required, a sub-surface system such as Vertex may also be appropriate.
There isn't a single volume of wastewater that an aerator can be expected to treat. Aerator sizing needs to take into account factors such as lagoon surface area, depth, organic loading, oxygen demand, wastewater characteristics and the required treatment performance.
As a guide, the Air-O-Lator Commercial range includes systems designed for approximately ½ acre, 1 acre and 2.5 acres of water surface area, depending on motor size. Multiple units can be combined for larger lagoons.
These figures are aeration coverage guidelines rather than a guarantee of wastewater treatment capacity. A site assessment is recommended when sizing a system for a specific wastewater application.
The Air-O-Lator Commercial has a specially designed diffuser mounted above the aerator.
Rather than allowing the discharged water to spray broadly into the air, the diffuser redirects the water back towards the waterbody. This minimises spray drift while maintaining water movement and aeration.
This can be particularly useful for wastewater lagoons where airborne droplets may be undesirable around roads, buildings, neighbouring properties or work areas.
Yes, we do. This is typically for customers close to Melbourne but we do travel for project work. We may also be able to refer you to a local installer, if we know of one in your area. Please reference this in your enquiry and we can provide an idea of the cost. We also have installation videos for those who want to go it alone.
It can provide substantial mixing, but the effectiveness depends on the aerator's size, position, lagoon geometry, depth and the number of units installed.
The Air-O-Lator Commercial is specifically designed to push oxygenated water down into the waterbody and disperse it over a wide area. Multiple units can also be positioned around a larger lagoon to improve overall coverage.
For larger or irregularly shaped lagoons, aerators can be strategically positioned to create better circulation throughout the waterbody.
Yes. Multiple Air-O-Lator Commercial units can be combined to provide additional aeration and mixing across larger or more complex lagoons.
Because the units are relatively compact and easy to move, they can be positioned and distributed throughout the waterbody rather than relying on a single aerator to reach every area.
The number and placement of units should be determined according to the lagoon's size, shape, depth and oxygen demand.
Yes. Solar-powered options are available for the Air-O-Lator Commercial.
We currently offer 1.5hp and 3hp solar Commercial systems. The 3hp model is listed for aerating up to approximately 1 acre, and multiple units can be combined for larger lagoons.
Solar can be particularly useful where mains power is unavailable or expensive to install. Hybrid power arrangements can also provide additional flexibility for sites where continuous operation is important.
Aeration schedules depend on the wastewater application and the objectives of the system.
Some applications may benefit from continuous operation, while others can use timers or controlled operating periods. The appropriate schedule depends on oxygen demand, loading, temperature, lagoon conditions and the overall treatment process.
The Air-O-Lator Commercial systems includes control equipment and automatic timers, allowing operation to be managed according to the requirements of the site.
Surface aerators sit on the water and rapidly move large volumes of water through the air. They are particularly useful when strong aeration and mixing are required.
Sub-surface systems use air stations positioned underwater. Air bubbles rise through the water column, creating circulation as they travel towards the surface.
For wastewater applications requiring substantial oxygen transfer and mixing, We generally look to surface aeration. Sub-surface systems such as Vertex can be useful in deeper water or where oxygenation is required without the high surface movement of a large surface aerator.
Nanobubble systems can be useful in wastewater applications where high oxygen transfer, deeper oxygenation or longer oxygen retention are important.
Unlike conventional bubbles, nanobubbles are extremely small and have very low buoyancy, allowing them to remain suspended in the water rather than rapidly rising to the surface.
Whether nanobubbles are appropriate depends on the wastewater characteristics and treatment objective, so they should be assessed as part of the overall system design.
Aeration can help manage odours associated with oxygen-depleted and anaerobic conditions.
When oxygen levels fall, anaerobic processes can produce compounds associated with unpleasant odours. Adding oxygen and improving circulation can help shift the waterbody towards more aerobic conditions.
However, odour can have several causes, so aeration isn't necessarily the only treatment required. The wastewater characteristics and source of the odour should be assessed before selecting a treatment approach.
The suitable aerator depends on the depth of the lagoon as well as its surface area and treatment requirements.
Surface aerators are generally suited to shallower water, while sub-surface aeration becomes increasingly useful in deeper water. We recommend our surface aerators for water depths up to 5m. Our sub-surface Vertex system is a better option for water deeper than 5m.
The depth, shape and volume of the lagoon should therefore be considered when selecting the system.
Air-O-Lator Commercial units are designed to be relatively simple to install and move compared with larger fixed aeration infrastructure.
The units are floating systems and can be positioned within the lagoon according to the required mixing pattern. They can also be moved or additional units added if the lagoon configuration or treatment requirements change.
Electrical installation should be completed in accordance with applicable requirements and by appropriately qualified personnel where required.
Like any mechanical equipment operating in wastewater, regular inspection and maintenance are important.
Maintenance requirements can include checking the motor, propeller, float, electrical components, cable, control equipment and any protective guards. The aerator should also be inspected for debris or material that could interfere with operation.
The exact maintenance schedule depends on the wastewater and operating conditions. We stock replacement parts for Air-O-Lator systems locally.
Yes. Solar-powered wastewater aerators are available, making them an option for remote sites where running mains electricity to a lagoon is impractical.
We offer solar versions of the Air-O-Lator Commercial, as well as other solar aeration options. The appropriate configuration depends on the required motor size, operating schedule, available sunlight and whether backup or hybrid power is required.
Aeration can support the biological processes used to treat ammonia in wastewater, particularly by maintaining the oxygen levels required for aerobic microorganisms involved in nitrification.
However, aeration is only one part of ammonia treatment. The actual outcome depends on factors such as the wastewater characteristics, ammonia loading, temperature, dissolved oxygen, retention time and the overall treatment process.
If ammonia is a concern, we can assess the application and determine whether aeration should form part of the treatment solution and what level of oxygenation is required.
Yes. Custom wastewater aeration design is well within our scope.
We design and build wastewater aeration systems every day, from individual floating aerators through to systems using multiple aerators positioned across larger lagoons.
Rather than simply selecting an aerator based on the surface area of the lagoon, we consider the characteristics of the site and the treatment objectives. This can include lagoon dimensions and depth, wastewater characteristics, oxygen demand, mixing requirements, power availability, spray-drift considerations and how the system needs to operate.
We can design systems using surface aerators, sub-surface aeration, solar systems or nanobubble technology, as well as combinations of different technologies where appropriate.
We can also design the positioning and number of units required to achieve the desired mixing and aeration throughout the lagoon. Where required, we can supply, install and maintain the completed system.
