Windpowered Dugout Aeration

Breeze 1 windmill dugout aerator

by Bob Buchanan, Engineering Technologist, Alberta Agriculture, Barrhead, Alberta

The installation of aeration systems in farm dugouts has tremendously improved dugout water quality across the prairies. Until the late 1980's, electrically powered air compressors were used to aerate dugouts located near a power source. More recently, bank-mounted windmills have proven to be a reliable low cost alternative for dugout aeration.

During 1992, Alberta Agriculture staff monitored the capacity of a Breeze 1 dugout aerator located at the Ray Burton farm north of Edmonton. The windmill was used to aerate a large 5 million gallon dugout on the Burton farm which supplies water for both household and livestock. The following are highlights from our Field Report.

The Breeze 1, manufactured in Manning, Alberta, is a bank-mounted style of windmill with a 3-blade high speed propeller. The spinning propeller drives a 6 inch diaphragm type pump. A system of 2 check valves and a 3/8 inch diameter air hose delivers air below the dugout water surface. The check valves prevent a backup of water into the air line which would freeze in the winter.

The windmill capacity was monitored from May to early December 1992 and the amount of air pumped during this period averaged 3.3 cubic feet per minute (cfm). Most dugouts require about 1 cfm of air per million gallons to adequately maintain dissolved oxygen levels and water quality. The windmill system therefore has plenty of capacity to aerate even the largest farm dugout. It may also have the potential for aerating small I to 2 acre size fish ponds.

Worthwhile features of the windmill include:

a) a 7 foot diameter propeller which swivels on a sealed ball bearing, allowing for easy poitioning into the wind. It starts turning at low wind speeds of 3 to 5 miles per hour and will reach approximately 400 revolutions per minute at wind speeds of 16 miles per hour.

b) an adjustable spring loaded device is used to lift the windmill up and out of the wind to protect the rubber diaphragm from premature failure during high wind speeds.

c) a built-in moisture trap to prevent freezing of the air line from condensation.

The Breeze 1, like all windmill aerators, requires good exposure to the prevailing winds. Children and adults should be careful around windmill aeration systems. The turning windmill blades and thin dugout ice can be dangerous.

In conclusion, the Breeze 1 is well designed and appears well suited to prairie conditions, and the Burton family is very happy with the improvement in their dugout water quality.