Controlling sulfide generation in force mains by air injection

Air injection into force mains has been used to control sulfide generation. However, the design criteria have not been clearly established. In this study, the minimum concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) required to prevent sulfide generation, and the oxygen balance in the force mains were investigated using an experimental facility. Air injection completely eliminated sulfide presence at the pipe outlet when DO at the pipe end was 0.2 mg/l or higher. Reaeration from gaseous phase to wastewater was affected by sewage flow velocity and oxygen concentration in the gaseous phase. Oxygen consumption rate in bulk water (Rr) ranged widely from 3 to 18 mg/l.h. Oxygen consumption rate in biofilm (Re) was measured using a rotating reactor. Re seemed to increase in proportion to the square root of DO.