Aeration membrane for a skimmer?

[BrainBandAid]

Has anyone used a membrane in a skimmer instead of an air stone/woodblock? I have access to 12" diameter membranes for aeration tanks and thought about using one instead of an airstone.

If you've done this/seen it done, where was it positioned?

Thanks!

 

[BeanAnimal]

Most of the membranes require a LOT of air pressure and don't produce fine enough bubbles. That is not to mention the cost and size problems.

You would position it just like you would airstones or the output of a NW pump.

 

[BrainBandAid]

Our membranes create 0.5 to 1.0 micron bubbles; from what I've read that's a good size... but yes, they do need a good amount of pressure... hadn't thought of that.

Just for arguments sake, do you think a decent enough air pump (compressor?) would be cheaper, and/or cheaper to operate than an equivalent skimmer pump?

 

[BeanAnimal]

The best "air pumps" out there with a reasonable price are the ALITAS. There are a lot of knock offs (literaly look exactly the same, but don't perform as well). Take a look at their specs, some are capable of a few PSI. Other than that you are looking at a fairly large (NOISY) regnerative blower or compressor. Once the PSIs start to rise, so does the noise and power consumption.

Get the specs for the membrane and maybe we can find a suitable air pump.

 

[H20ENG]

Boy I remember changing out diffusers in the bottom of the clarifiers. Theres a long day.

Who is the manufacturer of your membranes? I'm guessing the bubbles are that size at what, 20' depth? I doubt they will be that small at 24".

I also wonder how much pressure they would need, since you wont be putting NEAR the CFM they would see in the bottom of an aeration tank.