Q.E.D. Environmental Systems, Inc. announced its EZR Tray air stripper, a sliding tray, stainless steel air stripper for removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from contaminated groundwater and waste streams. According to Q.E.D., the EZR Tray offers numerous advantages over other air stripping methods, namely easy access for process monitoring and inspection while in operation. It is less prone to fouling and can be cleaned by one person with a simple pressure wash. It is also less intrusive and offers a wide turn-down range. Typical treatment costs range from $0.10 to $0.20 per 1,000 gallons of drinking water.
The EZR Tray air stripper is designed to remove trihalomethanes (THMs), which can form in drinking water when disinfectants like chlorine break down precursor organic compounds, normally organic solids. As contaminated groundwater enters through the top of the EZR Tray air stripper, millions of air bubbles are forced by blower pressure up through the perforated trays. This creates a turbulent froth zone with a high air-to-liquid surface area for mass transfer of VOCs from liquid to air. Using the froth instead of a conventional tower packing delivers high VOC removal efficiencies, even under fouling conditions.
