UDC 628.351
DOI 10.35776/VST.2026.08.03
Pukemo M. M., Kadyseva Anastasiia
Resent research on the effect of surfactants on oxygen transfer
in aeration systems
Summary
A review of the recent global research on the effect of surfactants on oxygen transfer in wastewater aeration systems is presented. The data on the mechanisms of surfactants affecting the volumetric mass transfer coefficient kLa, including a 20–70% reduction in the liquid phase mass transfer coefficient kL, the formation of diffusion barriers at the interface, and changes in bubble size and interfacial surface area are systematized. It is shown that the alpha factor for fine-bubble aerators in the process of municipal wastewater treatment ranges from 0.4 to 0.8 and significantly depends on the surfactant concentration. The differences in the effects of anionic, cationic, nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants, as well as biosurfactants, are examined. Outsize effects are discussed, including possible increasing of oxygen transfer efficiency in the presence of surfactants under certain conditions. Practical recommendations for designing aeration systems with account of the surfactant concentration in wastewater are formulated; and the key areas for further research are identified.
Key words
wastewater , aeration , oxygen mass transport , surfactants , mass transfer coefficient , alpha factor , critical micelle concentration
