The stainless steel construction of TORNADO® aerators makes them suitable for use even under harsh conditions.

Stainless steel construction means durability and longevity of your aeration equipment in even the toughest environments

Aerators need to be made from durable materials for longevity and reliability in harsh environments. That’s why Fluence aerators come with rugged, all-stainless steel options. Our seven aerator lines, led by the flagship TORNADO® and HURRICANE®, are manufactured in the United States. Fluence even offers an option with 100% American stainless-steel construction that complies with the Buy American Act and Section 1604 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Let’s take a look at why materials matter.

Plastic, aluminum, galvanized steel, and stainless steel all are commonly used in marine applications, and they all have their pros and cons.

• While plastic is inexpensive and somewhat durable, sunlight’s ultraviolet rays can cause a photochemical degradation of polymers, which means plastic aerator components that are regularly exposed to sunlight can become brittle over time. While some plastics do not absorb UV radiation, even trace amounts of impurities like oxygen and sodium can act as free radical receptors, which can lead to cracks in a plastic’s polymer bonds. When plastic aerator floats crack, it can lead to a sunken aerator and larger maintenance problems.
• While aluminum is light, it can be subject to corrosion when it comes in contact with the salts in wastewater, brine, saline water, and even recycled wastewater. This can lead to extra maintenance problems in marine applications.
• Galvanized steel is protected by a thin layer of zinc, which discourages corrosion. It offers good protection from water exposure unless the water has appreciable salinity, in which case the galvanized coating is unable to prevent the steel from rusting.
• Stainless steel, an alloy of chromium and steel, is considered the premium material for marine applications due to its superior corrosion resistance, finish, strength, and stiffness. It’s the ideal material for aerator construction, which is why Fluence offers 3/16-inch all-stainless steel construction, with American steel available for ARRA compliance.

All Fluence aerators are manufactured in the heart of Minneapolis with the quality materials, workmanship, and engineering that give the “Made in the U.S.A.” label its reputation.

TORNADO® Aerator Materials

The energy-efficient motor on the submersible TORNADO® aerator is by far the most rugged on the market, for dependable operation in the dirtiest, hottest, or coldest environments. It is attached with a flexible coupling and a two-pin, stainless steel motor mount. The shaft, made of heat-treated, 100% stainless steel, rotates within a patented stainless steel protection tube. Proprietary sealed and tapered roller bearings brace the shaft as it drives the Fluence-designed, all-stainless steel propeller.

However, for less demanding applications — for instance, in freshwater lakes and ponds — the AQUA TORNADO® is a great choice. It features a 2- or 3-horsepower motor and plastic floats, and a simulated rock cover is available to preserve landscaping aesthetics.

HURRICANE® Aerator Materials

Fluence’s submersible HURRICANE® line of aerators is constructed of 304 or 316 stainless steel to prevent corrosion, even in harsh wastewater treatment environments. An all-stainless steel air-intake pipe will not deteriorate from long exposure to sunlight. The high-efficiency, nonfouling impeller is machined from a single piece of hardened 17-4 stainless steel for maximum durability in cutting solids. And silicon carbide seals keep water out of the submersible, water-cooled, and explosion-proof motor.

Contact Fluence for a deeper dive into the top-quality materials that have helped make American-made Fluence aerators the gold standard among consulting engineers.