Home - Aeration & Mixing Systems - High Pressure Air Spargers

Tideflex 3/4" Molded Sparger

Tideflex 3/4" Reinforced Fabricated Sparger
with Internal Orifice Port

Air Spargers for Compressed Air Systems

• Constructed for Higher Pressure Supply Systems
• Mixing of Slurries and Dry Powder Materials
• Oxygenation of Deep Marine Applications
• Available in Multiple Elastomers

Elastomer Information and Specifications

Types of Spargers Available

    Tideflex manufactures two types of air spargers; 1) Compression Molded Spargers which are constructed of a single, thick elastomer and have a set differential pressure capacity, 2) Fabricated Vulcanized Spargers which are constructed of a composite of elastomer and internal fabric reinforcing. The amount of elastomer and reinforcement applied in fabricated spargers can be varied to provide multiple differential capacities. When used on a continuous manifold with multiple units, these spargers can be equipped with an internal orifice port to achieve even distribution of airflow along the manifold. Tideflex Engineering can provide design assistance in sizing of these orifice ports for the specific application.

Air System Requirements

    Air spargers are very similar to coarse bubble diffusers but with one distinct difference. Coarse Bubble Aeration Systems utilize High Volume Air Supply Blowers with just enough pressure capacity to overcome the system head of containment vessels averaging 15' to 25' in liquid depth. Air sparging systems are driven by High Pressure Compressors typically operating at lower total discharge volumes. Therefore, spargers are designed to handle higher pressures at lower discharge flowrates than typical coarse bubble diffusers.

Tideflex Systems for Process Tank Mixing
using Plant Compressed Air Systems

Liquid Mixing Systems

    Air spargers are ideal for mixing process batch tanks of smaller volumes. Compressed air supply systems within industrial facilities can be utilized to provide the mixing energy for these smaller size process vessels. Using a pressure regulator, volumetric flow meter, pressure gauges, flow control valves and a few air spargers, an effective mixing system can be installed at a very economical price. Utilizing a sparge mixing system eliminates the requirement and associated maintenance of mechanical blade mixers. Consult Tideflex Engineering for the recommended configuration of the flow control equipment and sparging arrangement.

Dry Solids Mixing and Bridging Prevention Systems

TFAHP-007 Molded Spargers
installed along manifold

    High pressure spargers are ideal for mixing and re-suspending of powder and dry solids within containment vessels. Typically, homogeneous dry solids materials do not require continuous mixing but during removal processes through gravity discharge ports the solids can bridge across the port reducing or stopping the discharge of the solids. Air sparger systems can provide the mixing energy required to eliminate these discharge problems without having to use vibratory equipment which can cost more in energy and can cause equipment damage over long term use.

    Sparger manifolds can be installed within transfer tank railcars with an air supply connection port located on the exterior of the tank. When the tanks are moved to the discharge area they are connected to an air compressor located at the station. Air is then applied to the material during the discharge process to prevent bridging and expedite the discharge of the material. Tideflex Technologies can provide the complete internal piping assembly and anchors (all fabricated from either 304SS or 316SS) ready for installation into the railcar.

Download Powder Mixing Application Sheet

Lock and Dam Sparger Installations

Marine and Aquatic Applications

    Providing adequate dissolved oxygen within intercoastal and interstate waterways is a primary concern in preventing detremental conditions to aquatic life within the vicinities of man-made stuctures. Construction of dams and lock systems across waterways can produce stagnant water on the upstream side reducing the natural oxygen transfer into the water normally provided by turbulant surface actions. The US Army Corps of Engineers has installed numerous air sparging systems at these lock and dam locations to protect the aquatic environment.

Tideflex Patented Applications

    Tideflex Diffusers and Diffuser Systems are patented in the United States and Canada; individual diffuser sales are only available to end users and facility owners for the purpose of replacement of existing diffuser units. Tideflex Technologies designs and provides complete diffused aeration systems consisting of all the internal piping, piping supports, diffuser assemblies and ancillary equipment. Design of a complete system incorporating Tideflex coarse bubble diffusers shall only be conducted by Tideflex Technologies and provided by Tideflex Technologies as covered within the associated patents. Individual diffusers shall not be resold and incorporated within a sold piping system without the consent of Tideflex Technologies. Contact Tideflex corporate offices for requested O.E.M. affiliations with this product line.

Review Tideflex Patent Notice

US Patent No. 6,016,839 / 6,193,220 / 6,372,140 / 6,702,263
Canada Patent No. 2,366,252 / 2,385,902; United Kingdom Patent No. 2,326,603