Diffuser assembly for an aeration system of a wastewater treatment plant

A diffuser assembly for connection to an aeration system for a wastewater treatment plant comprising:

• an adapter having a first end for joining to the aeration system, said adapter having an orifice distal said first end;
• a diffuser member connected to said adapter and extending around said orifice;
• and
• a check valve positioned within said adapter between said first end and said orifice, said check valve for preventing liquid from passing therethrough, said check valve comprising:
• a disk having a plurality of holes extending therethrough, said disk having a center point, said holes arranged radially around said center point, said disk having greater than four holes extending therethrough, each of said holes having a diameter of greater than 1/16th of an inch;
• and
• a resilient flap valve extending over said holes and juxtaposed against said disk, said resilient flap valve for permitting a unidirectional flow of air through said holes.

A diffuser adapter assembly for connection to an adapter of a wastewater treatment plant comprising:

• a male adapter having means thereon for connection to the adapter;
• a female adapter in sealed engagement with said male adapter, said female adapter having an interior in fluid communication with said male adapter, said female adapter having an orifice formed therein;
• a check valve affixed within said female adapter between said male adapter and said orifice, said check valve permitting air from said male adapter to flow therethrough to said orifice;
• and
• a diffuser positioned on said female adapter so as to extend around said orifice, said diffuser positioned wholly below said check valve, said check valve positioned not more than one and one-fourth inches from an upper edge of said diffuser.