Until recently the difficulties encountered in dissolving pure O2 into wastewater at high
concentrations have hindered attempts to maximize its amazing usefulness in preventing odor formation
and in causing the rapid metabolism of dissolved sulfides by resident bacteria possible only under oxic
conditions. However, a new process, Superoxygenation, as used in this discussion, utilizes pure oxygen
under pressure in a unique gas transfer reactor to raise the dissolved oxygen (D.O.) in the discharged water
to 10 to 300 mg/L, depending on the application. These high concentrations of D.O. enable many extra
years of infrastructure usefulness by the resulting corrosion control. Furthermore, by the prevention of H2S
formation in head works, primary clarifiers, gravity interceptors and force main sewers, odors can be
eliminated without costly and troublesome capturing and scrubbing of foul gases. Avoidance of tertiary
treatment often needed to compensate for low reaeration rates in receiving waters is often possible by
superoxygenating effluents to D.O. levels = BODult;
D.O. standards for rivers, canals, lakes and bays
thereby may be attained consistently. Odor and corrosion prevention in sludge holding tanks prior to
dewatering are also potentially achievable by superoxygenation technology.