Jet aerators have been used in over one hundred pulp and paper mills. Jet aeration is a prevailing, proven technology that achieves high oxygen transfer efficiencies with minimum maintenance and minimum operator attention.

Jet aeration systems are designed for a twenty year life. These systems are designed so there is no need to drain the tanks for maintenance purposes. The pumps and blowers, which are generally the only components that require maintenance, are placed outside the tanks.

Jet aerators have been used in tanks with 13 to 65 ft (4 to 20 meters) liquid depth. In deep tanks, due to the hydrostatic pressure of the bubbles, the initial and average bubble size is smaller than in shallow tanks. Smaller bubbles result in high mass transfer due to the following reasons:

• Higher surface area in the tank volume.
• The bubble stays in the tank longer due to the lower velocity of the rise.
• Higher pressure in the bubbles produce a greater driving force for oxygen transfer.

Mixing in deep tanks is provided from the bottom of the tank to the top. For this reason, jet aerators are not limited to just shallow tanks. The jet aerators provide maximum mixing near the bottom of the tank.

All aeration and mixing occur below the surface so there is no mist or spray problems. In addition, no icing problems occur because the aeration and mixing units eliminate thermal stratification, thus preventing freezing.