Continuous Laminar Flow Inversion

CLEAN-FLO calls the most important part of CLEAN-FLO’s unique process “Continuous Laminar Flow Inversion and Oxygenation.” This process enables the other parts of the process to perform their functions. CLEAN-FLO International (at that time CLEAN-FLO Laboratories, Inc.) invented and perfected this energy efficient process. Unlike ordinary diffused air systems, surface aeration, paddlewheels, hypolimnetic aerators, or propeller-aspirator aerators, CLEAN-FLO oxygenates an entire body of water from top to bottom. CLEAN-FLO oxygenates and rids the entire bottom of gases including ammonia and carbon dioxide which aquatic weeds and algae need for food.

A report by Dr. Dean Martin and Ph.D. candidate Joseph Carr at the University of South Florida showed that CLEAN-FLO natural inversion transfers 4.4 lbs. of oxygen per horsepower-hour in lakes and canals. . The same report showed other diffused air systems to transfer 1.8 to 2.2 lbs. per horsepower-hour. Oxygen transfer for the CLEAN-FLO system is 7 kg O2 per diffuser per day at 3.7 CFM in waste treatment lagoons

Ordinary diffused air systems move about 24,000 gallons of water from the bottom of lakes to the surface per horsepower-hour. Dr. Robert D. Goodwin of Lake Improvement Consultants, Walled Lake, Michigan and Dr. Ronald White of Environmental Quality Laboratory, Inc., Port Charlotte, Florida independently measured the CLEAN-FLO system to move 480,000 gallons per horsepower-hour. Of course, propeller-aspirator types, surface aerators, hypolimnetic aerators, or paddlewheels are not designed to move bottom water to the surface. If used for that purpose, they would create considerable turbulence and nutrient recycling from the bottom muck.

Continuous Laminar Flow Inversion and Oxygenation

CLEAN-FLO Continuous Laminar Flow Inversion and Oxygenation is a process and equipment engineered and developed to duplicate natural spring and fall turnover of lakes. In tropical countries, natural inversion occurs at random with typhoons, cyclones and torrential rains. Natural inversion oxygenates the bottom water and rids the water of toxic gases that accumulate in stagnant water.

The CLEAN-FLO process increases natural twice-a-year inversion of lakes to several times a day or several times a week or month. The amount of inversion depends on CLEAN-FLO’s engineering design to counteract incoming pollutants and pollutants in that particular body of water. CLEAN-FLO has thirty years of experience restoring lakes, ponds, reservoirs, rivers and wastewater built into our computers to tell us how many inversions are necessary for each body of water. It takes many factors into account, such as incoming water quality and flow rate, retention time of the water body, sediment, weeds, algae, fish-kills, and much more.

The Continuous Laminar Flow Inversion and Oxygenation process carries oxygenated, toxic gas-free surface water down to the bottom of the water body. At the bottom, oxygenated water binds phosphorus and nitrogen to the sediments and kills anaerobic, often pathogenic (disease-producing), bacteria that produce acids and toxic gases. The CLEAN-FLO process usually reduces phosphorus and nitrogen in the water body three to twenty times as much as point-source watershed treatment can accomplish.

Continuous Laminar Flow Inversion and Oxygenation enable beneficial microorganisms to feed on bottom organic sediment. It enables aquatic insects to feed on the microorganisms, and fish to inhabit the bottom waters and feed on the insects.

Specifications:

This process inverts and oxygenates 10,900 M3 (2,880,000 gallons) per day of water per diffuser at 6-feet depth using laminar flow principle. Laminar flow prevents mixing of anoxic, high toxic gas-content bottom water with the main water body before the water reaches the surface. At the surface, the uprising water spreads out toward the shore in a 0.04 cm (0.1-inch) deep layer. This oxygenates the water and rids the water of toxic gases. Laminar flow causes Venturi Effect to add water from the water body to the water column as it rises, causing increased water flow in deeper water.

1. Air compressor equipment.

1.1 Compressor Types: Oilless, Teflon-impregnated graphite, positive displacement 0-15 psi rotary vane, 0-100 psi piston or various helix- or screw-type air compressors. Mounted to 100-115/208-230 volt, 60 Hz, 100-110/220-240 volt, 50 Hz, single phase or 220-240/380-440-60/50-3 phase main drive motor.

1.2 Main drive motor: 100-115/208-230 volts @ 60 Hz, 100-110/220-240 volts @ 50 Hz, single phase, or 220-240/380-440-60/50-3 phase 1725/1425 rpm. Includes thermal overload relays, power cord and starter capacitor. Non-reversible rotation.

1.3 Air Filter: One dry type disposable air intake filter per compressor.

1.4 Protective Devices: Air pressure relief valves, thermal overload switch and check valves.

2. Air hose and couplings.

2.1 Optional Air Hose: a) Smooth bore, high density, self-sinking, armor-flexTM flexible hose capable of 11.04 Bars (160 psi) working pressure. Standard length: 152.4 M (500 ft) sections; varmint resistant. b) PVC self-sinking 500 ft reels.

2.2 Hose Couplings: Hose-to-compressor, hose-to-hose and hose-to-diffuser connections are a combination of friction fittings and stainless steel hose clamps.

3. CLEAN-FLO Continuous Laminar Flow/Oxygenation Diffusers

Diffusers: a) Microporous ceramic diffusers, 31.1 cm x 31.1 cm x 5.5 cm deep (12.25″ x 12.25″ x 2.18″ deep). b) Microporous ceramic diffusers, 21.3 cm x 21.3 cm x 6.4 cm deep (8.38″ x 8.38″ x 2.5″ deep). c) Microporous Teflon diffusers 31.4 cm diameter x 7.9 cm deep (12.38″ diameter x 3.13″ deep). Diffusers are non-clogging and all materials are corrosion resistant, non-moving and maintenance free. Diffusers are engineered to utilize laminar flow principle in conjunction with specified air compressors and air hose. Each diffuser moves 454 M3 (120,000 gallons) of water from the bottom of a body of lake water to the surface per hour. When operated in 0.0 mg/l oxygen lake water, oxygen transfer rate is 2.68 kg/kW-hr (4.4 lbs./hp-hr). In waste treatment lagoons, it varies according to the waste.
NOTE: DIFFUSER MAY VARY BY + or – 0.64 cm (1/4 inch).

4. Fiberglass cabinet.

4.1 Each system includes one high-strength, weatherproof, outdoor fiberglass cabinet which houses one or more compressors as described in Sections 1.1-1.4, one or two 170-850 M3/hr (>100-500 CFM) cabinet cooling blowers, air inlet filter and power receptacles. Cabinet cover is secured by tamper-pruf bolts. One wrench to fit tamper-pruf bolts is included. Sound absorbent lining for cabinet is optional. Sound for one typical cabinet (lined): 75 dB. Blends into background noise in a quiet woods at 15 to 30 meters (50 to 100 feet): 40 dB.

Each system consists of: one fiberglass cabinet; one to four compressors and related equipment; all necessary valves, fittings and installation materials; microporous diffusers; and floats with tiller cables and clamps.

Each compressor will deliver air to one to eighty diffusers. This depends on the project design for the number of cabinets required due to water body dimensions, kW required, water depth, water quality and other factors.

Characterics: For use in water 1 – 45 meters (3 – 150 ft.) deep.

Deeper depths available under special design.

Oxygen Transfer:

In fish ponds, 1 meter deep: 0.72 kg/kW-hr

3 feet deep: 1.2 lbs./hp-hr

In lakes, 2-4.5 meters deep: 2.68 kg/kW-hr

6-15 feet deep: 4.4 lbs./hp-hr

In waste treatment lagoons: varies according to waste.

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