Tube diffuser vs disc diffuser. Tubular diffuser and disc diffuser are two mainstream microporous aerators, which are obviously different in structure, performance and application scenarios.I will compare them in detail from several dimensions below.

Tubular diffuser: the shape is a long tube, flexible installation, not easy to block, convenient maintenance, especially suitable for non-stop production renovation projects and sewage water quality complex scenarios.
Disc diffuser: The shape is disc, the gas distribution is uniform and stable, the oxygen utilization rate is slightly higher, it is a classic choice for traditional and large new projects, but there are risks of blockage and inconvenient cleaning and maintenance.

Detailed comparison

• Structure and shape

Tubular: cylindrical long tube, length usually 0.5m-1.5m.

Plate: circular plate, standard diameter usually 215mm, 260mm, etc.

• Installation methods:

Tubular: Flexible. Can be fixed on the bottom of the pool or made into a lift type. The pipeline spacing can be adjusted.

Plate: Fixed. Through the base, it is fixed on the gas distribution pipeline at the bottom of the pool and arranged in a matrix.

• Oxygen transfer efficiency:

Tubular: Higher (typically 20%-30%). Bubbles are evenly distributed from the surface of the tube.

Plate: Very high (typically 25%-35%). In an ideal state, oxygen utilization is slightly higher than in tubular systems.

• Service space:

Tubular: Larger. Single root canal diffusers can oxygenate longer strip areas.

Plate: Smaller. More plates are needed to cover the same area of the bottom of the pool.

• Drag losses:

Tubular: Lower. The internal airflow channel is large and the pressure loss is small.

Plate: Slightly higher. The internal structure is relatively complex, and the pressure loss is slightly greater than that of the tube.

• Useful life:

Tubular: Longer. Thanks to excellent clogging performance and easy to maintain features.

Plate: Long, but performance may decline year by year due to blockage.

• Initial investment costs:

Tubular: Usually slightly lower. Although the price of a single unit may be similar, the total installation cost is lower because of the small quantity and easy installation.

Plate: Usually slightly higher. Due to the large number, the cost of piping and labor required for installation is higher.

The choice between tubular and disc depends on your specific needs and constraints:

1. New Construction vs. Renovation: Both options are available for new projects. For those seeking classic layouts and optimal theoretical oxygen efficiency without maintenance concerns, the disc-type system is recommended. However, if long-term operational stability and ease of maintenance are prioritized, the pipe-type system emerges as a more modern and reliable choice.
Renovation project: Tubular is usually a better choice. Because it can flexibly adapt to the original pool type and pipeline layout, and can achieve “continuous production renovation”, which is crucial for sewage treatment plants that need to continue operation.

2. Maintenance capacity and shutdown possibility: If your sewage treatment plant cannot accept a long shutdown due to aeration maintenance, then the elevated tubular diffuser is almost the only option.
If regular shutdowns can be arranged, disc can also be considered.

3. Sewage quality: For industrial wastewater or complex composition, easy to scale, easy to breed filamentous bacteria, tubular diffuser has more advantages because of its excellent anti-clogging performance.

4. Energy consumption and efficiency: Both belong to high efficiency microporous aeration, and the difference in oxygen utilization rate is not large. In long-term operation, the tube can maintain high efficiency for a longer time because it is not easy to block, while the disc efficiency will continue to decline once it is blocked.

In summary, while disc diffusers were once the market mainstream, tubular diffusers are now emerging as the preferred choice for new construction and renovation projects due to their significant advantages in installation and maintenance. Their “upgradable and easy-to-maintain” features have substantially reduced lifecycle operational costs, positioning them as a crucial direction in the evolution of aeration technology.

I hope this article can be of help to you!