AQUA SURE Protein Extractor

Description

The AQUA SURE Pond Protein Extractor

The Pond Protein Extractor, more accurately termed a Foam Fractionator, is an essential device for maintaining superior water quality in ponds. Unlike traditional mechanical filters, it specifically targets and removes dissolved organic compounds (DOC) that are often missed, leading to clearer, healthier water.

What is a Foam Fractionator?

At its core, a foam fractionator operates by concentrating and removing dissolved substances from water. It achieves this by generating a mass of fine air bubbles that attract and float these dissolved materials to the surface, where they are collected as foam.

The fundamental components include:

• Contact Column: A tube where air bubbles and water mix, allowing dissolved compounds to attach to the bubble surfaces.
• Aeration Device: Such as an air stone or venturi, responsible for producing the air bubbles.
• Water Inlet/Outlet: For continuous water flow through the unit.
• Collection Bowl: A removable container for the extracted foam (waste).

 

Why is Foam Fractionation Necessary?

Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), derived from biodegrading bacteria, algae, and other organisms, cannot be removed by standard mechanical filtration. An accumulation of DOC significantly degrades water quality by:

• Inhibiting beneficial nitrifying bacteria.
• Increasing biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), a key indicator of water pollution.
• Causing water discoloration and foul odors.
• Leading to the mineralization of toxic substances like ammonia and carbon dioxide by heterotrophic bacteria, which also consume vital oxygen.

By actively removing DOC, a foam fractionator prevents these issues, ensuring a cleaner, more stable aquatic environment.

 

How it Works: The Science of Surface Activity

Effective foam fractionation hinges on two principles: air bubbles and surfactants. DOC molecules are surfactants, meaning they have a “surface-active” property. In water, their hydrophobic (water-hating) end seeks an air interface. By introducing a vast number of tiny air bubbles, the foam fractionator dramatically increases the available air surface area, to which these surfactants readily attach.

The process is as follows:

1. Bubble Generation: A pump forces water through a venturi, creating a high volume of fine air bubbles within the contact column.
2. DOC Adhesion: As bubbles rise, DOC molecules, with their hydrophobic ends, bind to the surface of these bubbles.
3. Foam Formation: The DOC-laden bubbles accumulate at the water’s surface, forming a dense foam.
4. Waste Collection: This foam overflows into a dedicated collection bowl, effectively removing the dissolved pollutants from the pond water.

Smaller bubbles and longer contact times enhance the efficiency and speed of extraction, making the generation of numerous small bubbles a primary design goal. This continuous process removes dissolved contaminants that would otherwise accumulate, significantly improving water clarity and overall pond health.

 

Aqua-Sure Protein Extractor: Specifications and Installation

The Aqua-Sure Protein Extractor is designed for superior performance in freshwater environments.

Key Features:

• Capacity: Suitable for ponds up to 8,000 gallons (36,000 liters).
• Dimensions: 600mm diameter x 350mm high.
• Pump Requirement: Minimum 4,500 LPH (liters per hour). Recommended pump flow: 3600-4500 LPH to prevent overflow. If a larger pump is used, an inline valve can reduce output.
• Pipework: 40mm (1.5”) inlet, 50mm (2”) outlet.
• Waste Collection: Features a 320mm diameter external waste catchment bowl.
• Maintenance: Virtually maintenance-free due to the absence of filter mediums requiring regular cleaning.

 

Installation & Operation: Water is pumped through a venturi, creating oxygen-rich bubbles that attract contaminants. These bubbles burst in the central chamber, and the extracted waste flows by gravity to the external collection bowl. The clean water is then returned to the pond. This process, while not mechanical or biological filtration, directly contributes to reducing nitrite levels and enhancing water clarity.

Adjustments: Two control valves allow precise adjustment of the water level within the tank and the oxygen input. A slow drip into the waste bowl indicates optimal operation. Temporary reductions in drip rate due to rain, water changes, or feeding are normal and do not require readjustment.

Oxygenation Benefits: Beyond contaminant removal, the unit significantly boosts oxygen saturation, crucial for fish health (especially Koi) and beneficial bacteria in conventional filtration systems. This offers an effective alternative to air stones or venturi units that may cause excessive surface agitation.

 

Usage Best Practices

While extraction rates vary by pond, the Pond Protein Extractor can run continuously (365 days a year) or periodically (e.g., a few days per week after an initial run) depending on your pond’s specific needs.

To minimize surface agitation and noise, the return pipe can discharge below the pond surface (e.g., 30mm below). Use 50mm diameter pipework for all connections.

Important Note: If administering pond medications, disable the extraction function by adjusting the valves. However, keep the unit running to continue providing vital oxygenation.