Surface scum cleaning in wastewater treatment

Surface scum can accumulate and, left untreated, will crust over and so reduce oxygen transfer. Spray nozzles can be used to break up surface scum. This is a distinct application from foam control and normally requires a more targeted spray jet to ensure effective scum breakup. As such, flat fan nozzles are commonly used to target areas of the tank where scum tends to form first. By regular spraying, any initial formations are quickly dispersed, preventing crusting before it begins.

Design considerations

• Nozzles will need to be clog-resistant, given the nature of the environment
• The spray pattern needs to be targeted and to have some impact, as the objective is to break apart any films that form