How Your New Treatment System Functions - ProFlo 500 Owner's Manual

How Your New Treatment System
Functions
The Pro Flo Wastewater Treatment System is similar to large
municipality sewage treatment plants. It uses an extended aeration
activated sludge process. This type of treatment depends primarily
on the use of air. When air is introduced to the wastewater, it promotes
the growth of aerobic bacteria and other microorganisms that break
down the organic material found in regular household sewage.
Raw unsettled waste/water from your home enters directly into the
pretreatment tank. Inside the pretreatment tank, the solids separate
from the liquid and the liquid flows into the aeration chamber. Inside
the aeration chamber, simple hydraulic displacement is accomplished
by the introduction of air. Air is introduced into the aeration chamber
by passing from the aerator motor through the air diffuser and into
the system. This air promotes the growth of aerobic organisms in
much lar ger amounts than would naturally occur. It is these aerobic
organisms (bacteria) that break down the organic material. As the
wastewater leaves the aeration chamber, it enters the "quiet zone"
better known as the clarifier. No mixing occurs inside the clarifier.
In the clarifier, any "leftover" solids separate from the liquid and settle
to the bottom of the clarifier. This solid material is called sludge.
Sludge contains dissolved oxygen and the sludge bacteria are activated
by oxygen. This activated sludge is returned to the aeration chamber
where it is mixed and digested again. The sludge then mixes with
incoming wastewater. This mixture of returned sludge, wastewater,
and dissolved oxygen is referred to as mixed liquor. The mixed liquor
flows back into the clarifier, the solids separate and return once again
to the aeration chamber. This never-ending cycle produces a clear,
odorless, high quality effluent that is ready to be released to the
environment.
(See the diagrams on the following pages illustrating basic system
design and flow path.)
SYSTEM OWNER'S MANUAL
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