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eISSN: 2083-5906
ISSN: 1230-1485
ISSN: 1230-1485
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Kinetics of Oxygen Dissolution and Modeling
of the Aeration Process in Wastewater
Treatment Bioreactors
1
Department of Hydraulic and Water Engineering, Lviv Polytechnic National University,
12 Stepan Bandera Str., Lviv, Ukraine, 79013
Submission date: 2026-04-16
Final revision date: 2026-07-09
Acceptance date: 2026-07-31
Online publication date: 2026-09-18
Corresponding author
Vadym Fasuliak
Department of Hydraulic and Water Engineering, Lviv Polytechnic National University, 12 Stepan Bandera Str., Lviv, Ukraine, 79013
Department of Hydraulic and Water Engineering, Lviv Polytechnic National University, 12 Stepan Bandera Str., Lviv, Ukraine, 79013
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Aeration is a key and the most energy-intensive process in biological wastewater treatment using
activated sludge systems in aeration tanks, accounting for up to 50-90% of the total energy consumption
of wastewater treatment plants. The efficiency of biological treatment largely depends on providing
activated sludge microorganisms with a sufficient concentration of dissolved oxygen as well as ensuring
proper mixing of the sludge mixture within the reactor. Therefore, improving the efficiency of aeration
systems is an important task for reducing operational costs and increasing the overall sustainability of
wastewater treatment facilities.
This paper examines the theoretical foundations of the aeration process in biological wastewater treatment systems. Particular attention is given to the mechanisms of oxygen mass transfer from the gas phase into the liquid phase and the factors influencing this process. The key parameters characterizing oxygen transfer efficiency are analyzed, including the volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient (KLa) and the α-factor, which reflects the influence of wastewater properties on oxygen transfer. Understanding these parameters is essential for the correct design, optimization, and operation of aeration systems in activated sludge reactors. The presented theoretical analysis contributes to improving the energy efficiency and operational performance of modern wastewater treatment plants.
This paper examines the theoretical foundations of the aeration process in biological wastewater treatment systems. Particular attention is given to the mechanisms of oxygen mass transfer from the gas phase into the liquid phase and the factors influencing this process. The key parameters characterizing oxygen transfer efficiency are analyzed, including the volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient (KLa) and the α-factor, which reflects the influence of wastewater properties on oxygen transfer. Understanding these parameters is essential for the correct design, optimization, and operation of aeration systems in activated sludge reactors. The presented theoretical analysis contributes to improving the energy efficiency and operational performance of modern wastewater treatment plants.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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| eISSN: | 2083-5906 |
| ISSN: | 1230-1485 |
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