For Thais, the cube-shaped watermills afloat in numerous water sources, natural or manmade, be it canals, ponds, or reservoirs, is a familiar sight. These machines bring not only the better water quality to Thai people, but also the pride in their King, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, for they are his masterwork. The ?Chai Pattana Aerator,? named after the project under his patronage, is one of His Majesty’s inventions to improve the environment and living conditions of his subjects.
The aerators have been designed so that each of the hole-punched paddles plunges into the water and lets the water seeps through those holes as the paddle rotates upwards into the air. What seems like a simple design is very effective in improving the water quality. Allowing the water to have some contact with the air increases the level of oxygen in the water. This procedure is important in cleaning up the water, as the increase in the level of oxygen in the water helps bacterium degrade any organic matters in the water, clearing away the root cause of foul water.
His Majesty’s invention to treat wastewater is popular because it is efficient and yet economical and addresses the heart of the problem. The aerators are often used to treat wastewater in smaller water sources, to lessen the cost, and it works in treating larger areas, as well.
His Majesty invented the Chai Pattana Aerator in 1989. In further developments, the prototype aerator has been installed in a variety of water types to adjust it to all conditions. For example, some aerators have been modified for long and narrow waterways as well as areas without electricity.
The Chai Pattana Aerator was submitted for patenting following His Majesty’s wish on 2 June 1992, making 2 June of every year since then the Inventor’s Day in Thailand. The patent was issued the subsequent year by the Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Commerce. It was the first time in Thailand and in the world that a patent was issued under the name of the King. In addition, this masterpiece of His Majesty also won the first prize from the Belgian Chamber of Inventors, Belgium’s prestigious institution, at the Brussels Eureka 2000, which showcases the world’s new inventions