Paddlewheel speed was controlled by adjusting electric power frequency with a 3
phase Vacon CXS inverter. The aerators each included a 0.75 kW (1 hp) 4-pole
motor with 14:1 worm-drive gearbox driving two paddlewheels at 103 rpm. This
was a very typical Taiwanese paddlewheel design, with blue plastic moulded
material used for buoyant pontoons and motor/gearbox cover. Wheels were yellow
plastic, 680 mm diameter tip-to-tip, comprised of six constituent paddles. Paddleblades
were 200 mm wide with 0.03 m2 face area, less perforation patterns that
varied in diameter and number between manufacturers.