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See also: Water aeration
Aerating water by means of fine pore membrane diffuser

Aeration (also called aerification) is the process by which air is circulated through, mixed with or dissolved in a liquid or substance.

Aeration of liquids[edit]


Aeration of liquids (usually water) is achieved by:

  • passing the liquid through air by means of fountains, cascades, paddle-wheels or cones.
  • passing air through the liquid by means of the Venturi tube, aeration turbines or compressed air which can be combined with diffuser(s) air stone(s), as well as fine bubble diffusers, coarse bubble diffusers or linear aeration tubing. Ceramics are suitable for this purpose, often involving dispersion of fine air or gas bubbles through the porous ceramic into a liquid. The smaller the bubbles, the more gas is exposed to the liquid increasing the gas transfer efficiency. Diffusers or spargers can also be designed into the system to cause turbulence or mixing if desired.

Porous ceramic diffusers are made by fusing aluminum oxide grains using porcelain bonds to form a strong, uniformly porous and homogeneous structure. The naturally hydrophilic material is easily wetted resulting in the production of fine, uniform bubbles.[1]

On a given volume of air or liquid, the surface area changes proportionally with drop or bubble size, the very surface area where exchange can occur. Utilizing extremely small bubbles or drops increases the rate of gas transfer (aeration) due to the higher contact surface area. The pores which these bubbles pass through are generally micrometre-size.

Uses of aeration of liquids[edit]

Aerated tap water

Aeration of soil[edit]

Refers to the extent of air gaps in soil.

Aeration commonly refers to the process of using mechanized equipment to either puncture the soil with spikes (spike aeration) or remove approximately 1" x 2" cores of soil from the ground (core aeration). Aeration may be overlooked when trying to restore a lawn but is vital to bring it back to health. It improves drainage and reduces puddles formation.

Spike aeration involves the use of an aeration machine with spikes up to a foot or more in length. It is sometimes used to address drainage issues in areas with turf. Core aeration is done on turf areas as a means of reducing turf compaction, reducing thatch buildup, improving the infiltration of water/nutrients, encouraging deeper roots, and creating an environment where grass seed can have direct contact with the soil.

There are many types of lawn aerators including walk behind models, ride on versions and tractor pulled versions.

Aeration in food[edit]

Refers to the process in which air, or CO2, is absorbed into the food item. It refers to the lightness of cakes and bread, as measured by the type of pores they contain, and the color and texture of some sauces which have incorporated air bubbles.

In wine tasting, a variety of methods are used to aerate wine and bring out the aromas including swirl wine in the glass, use of a decanter to increase exposure to air, or a specialized wine aerator.

Cider from Asturias is poured into the glass from a height of about 1 metre (el escanciado) to increase aeration.

See also[edit]


  1. ^ Porous Ceramic Diffusers
  2. ^ "AERATION". Retrieved 18 June 2014. 
  3. ^ "Aeration Device". Fortrans. Retrieved 18 June 2014. 
  4. ^ "Oxygen levels for fish and plants in a tropical aquarium". The AquaDaily. 2009-01-06. Archived from the original on 25 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-31. 
  5. ^ Swistock, Bryan. "Methane Gas and Its Removal from Wells in Pennsylvania". PSU. Retrieved 18 June 2014. 

OxyTurbine Aerators