Retro-X® Retrievable Aeration System for Wastewater Treatment Upgrades
The innovative design of HINKTON Retro-X® enables it to achieve extremely low head loss. With its ability to make “self – cleaning”, Retro-X® aeration system always operate at a high – performance level, thus reducing operation and maintenance costs. Retro-X® the complete answer to low headloss, highly energy efficient fine bubble diffuser in a wide range of applications in industry and municipal treatment plants.
Main Design Features
- The innovation design of membrane only (no supporting pipe) provides extremely low head loss.
- End to end air pathways ensure uniform air distribution.
- Ultra fine bubbles generation. With a bubble average size of 1 mm, the bubbles rise slowly, which increases the contact area and contact time with the sewage. It turns out higher oxygen transfer efficiency which reduced air demand, and correspondingly the energy bill.
- With unique product design and product accessories, HINKTON Retro-X®fine bubble diffuser revolutionizes the aeration system pipelines and retrievable installation way.
Why Do Existing WWTPs Need Aeration Upgrades?
Retro-X® utilizes an aeration hose with a specially formulated membrane and perforation technology. Under low airflow conditions, it generates small, slow-rising bubbles, significantly improving oxygen transfer efficiency (≥45%). Its low-resistance design and adjustable support system enable long-distance airflow transmission. The linear aeration pattern ensures uniform air distribution and mixing, achieving high oxygen utilization and energy efficiency. With excellent tear-resistance, oil resistance, and acid/alkali durability, the system maintains long-term stable performance. In municipal wastewater applications, it offers a comprehensive service life of over 10 years, and in industrial wastewater scenarios, its lifespan exceeds 8 years.
Retro-X® aeration system integrated a dedicated control system to enable the ‘self-cleaning’ functionality, ensuring consistent aeration efficiency. The innovation retrievable installation way enables easy routine inspections and maintenance, significantly enhancing operational convenience.
Key characteristics
| Parameter | Unit | Data |
| SOTE | % | 48.7% |
| Theoretical Power E | Kg02/Kw.h | 12.6 |
| RL | pa | 1750 |
Main Advantage
-Upgrated Efficiency
The oxygen transfer efficiency is as high as 45% in sewage at a depth of 6 meters. The bubble rising velocity is less than 0.4m/s, much lower than the conventional 1m/s. Bubbles stays in the water for a long time. It greatly increases oxygen transfer efficiency.
-‘self – cleaning’ function
Regular ‘self – cleaning’ is carried out to ensure the efficiency of the aeration system remains stable.
– Low Head Loss
The innovation design of membrane only (no supporting pipe) provides extremely low head loss.
– Easy Routine Inspections or Aeration Diffuser Replacement
A team of two people can complete the replacement of a set of aeration system in 15 minutes. There is no need to drain water, nor use a crane or any lifting tools.
– Low-cost for renovation.
For the entire aeration system, only the membrane needs to be replaced, while other pipes and accessories can be recycled.
– Low Service Life
More than 10 years service life with special membrane material.
Detail Display
Retro-X®‘self-cleaning’control system
The self-cleaning control system is a standard PLC-based program and component package integrated into the Retro-X® Unbeatable Aeration System.
The Retro-X® system utilizes PLC programming to control electric valves on distribution manifolds. Through periodic valve actuation, it modulates or shuts off airflow to specific manifold zones. By leveraging pressure differentials and valve switching mechanisms, the system creates airflow pulses that scour the surface of the aeration hoses, removing biofilm, sludge, or particulate buildup. This automated self-cleaning process ensures:
- No clogging or fouling on the hose surface.
- Consistent oxygen transfer efficiency (SOTE) and stable headloss over time.
As the core aeration system technology of HINKTON, Retro-X® provides a more stable, efficient, and easy-to-maintain aeration solution for global wastewater treatment projects. It is widely applied in:
- New construction of biochemical systems
- Upgrades and renovations of existing facilities
- Energy-saving retrofits
- Aeration system replacements
This technology delivers reliable performance while optimizing energy efficiency and simplifying maintenance, making it a leader in advanced aeration system innovation.
What we can offer?
- Reliable products tested by hundreds of wwt project.
- Provide product selection suggestions. Our experience in the sewage industry enables us to better understand customers’ needs. By combining technical requirements with customers’ actual demands, we put forward comprehensive suggestions to help customers make better choices.
- Technical support for assistance with aeration system design and calculation.
- Customized services.
- After-sales service feedback within 7hours.
Why Do Existing WWTPs Need Aeration Upgrades?
Many existing wastewater treatment plants face declining aeration performance, difficult maintenance, and increasing energy costs after years of operation.
Aging Aeration Equipment
Long-term operation may lead to:
- Membrane aging
- Reduced oxygen transfer efficiency
- Uneven air distribution
Difficult Maintenance
Traditional fixed aeration systems often require:
- Tank draining for maintenance
- Process interruption
- Higher maintenance costs
Increasing Energy Consumption
Reduced aeration efficiency can result in:
- Higher blower power consumption
- Increased operating costs
Retro-X® Provides an Efficient Upgrade Solution
Retro-X® enables wastewater treatment plants to improve aeration performance with a retrievable design, reducing maintenance difficulties and supporting long-term stable operation.
Case studies 1
Shizuishan No.2 Wastewater Treatment Plant (Design Capacity: 80,000 m³/day)
Shizuishan No.2 Wastewater Treatment Plant is located in Huinong District, Ningxia Province. The plant was put into operation in 2005 and originally adopted the Orbal oxidation ditch process. With a designed treatment capacity of 80,000 m³/day, the stable operation of the plant has significantly reduced the impact of urban wastewater discharge on the Yellow River and helped alleviate the local shortage of water resources.
●Project Capacity:80,000 m³/day
● Product Information:Retro-X® Retrievable Micro-Mixing Flexible Hose Aeration System (6,000 meters)
● Project Location: Shizuishan City, Ningxia Province, China
● Process: Retrofit from Orbal Oxidation Ditch Process to Modified AAO Process
Case studies 2
Datong Daqing District Wastewater Treatment Plant (Daily treatment capacity: 20,000 tons/day)
Daqing Datong District Wastewater Treatment Plant is located in Datong District, Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province, China. With a designed treatment capacity of 20,000 m³/day, the plant underwent a comprehensive upgrading project to improve treatment performance and meet higher discharge requirements.
The project was implemented under a 30-year concession operation model, including facility renovation, construction, and long-term operation management. The existing CASS biological treatment process was upgraded to a Modified AAO process to enhance biological nutrient removal and improve overall process stability.
HINKTON Solution:
HINKTON provided the Retro-X® Retrievable Micro-Mixing Flexible Hose Aeration System, with a total installed length of 4,200 meters. The system was designed to improve oxygen transfer efficiency, optimize aeration performance, and provide convenient maintenance capabilities during long-term operation.
Key Project Data:
- Capacity:20,000 m³/day
- Location:Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province, China
- Aeration Solution:Retro-X® Retrievable Micro-Mixing Flexible Hose Aeration System
- Installed Length:4,200 m
- Process Upgrade:CASS Process → Modified AAO Process
Case studies 3
Shijiazhuang Gaoyi Fengcheng Wastewater Treatment Plant (Daily treatment capacity: 30,000 tons/day)
To improve treatment efficiency and enhance long-term operational reliability, the plant underwent a process upgrading project. The existing CASS process was upgraded to a Modified AAO process, requiring an optimized aeration system to support improved biological treatment performance.
HINKTON Solution
HINKTON supplied the BioTAS® Retrievable Micro-Mixing Flexible Hose Aeration System, with a total installation length of 6,100 meters.
The upgraded aeration system provides efficient oxygen transfer, improved mixing performance, and reliable operation for the biological treatment process, helping the wastewater treatment plant achieve stable and efficient operation.
Key Project Data
- Capacity:30,000 m³/day
- Location:Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, China
- Aeration Solution:Retro-X® Retrievable Micro-Mixing Flexible Hose Aeration System
- Installed Length:6,100 m
- Process Upgrade:CASS Process → Modified AAO Process
Case studies 4
Mudanjiang Jiangnan New District Wastewater Treatment Plant (daily treatment capacity: 20,000 tons/day)
Mudanjiang Jiangnan New District Wastewater Treatment Plant, located in Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province, China, was constructed in 2020. The plant adopts an advanced wastewater treatment process consisting of pretreatment, SED biological treatment system, and advanced treatment system, with a designed treatment capacity of 20,000 m³/day.
The SED biological treatment system provides efficient biological pollutant removal, requiring a reliable aeration system to ensure sufficient oxygen supply, effective mixing, and stable microbial activity.
HINKTON supplied the Retro-X® Retrievable Micro-Mixing Flexible Hose Aeration System to support the biological treatment process and improve aeration efficiency and operational reliability.
- Project Capacity:20,000 m³/day
- Product Information:Retro-X® Retrievable Micro-Mixing Flexible Hose Aeration System (6,100 meters)
- Project Location: Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province, China
- Process: SED Biological Treatment System
Case studies 5
The Second Sewage Treatment Plant of Huaiyuan Economic Development Zone in Anhui Province (with a daily treatment capacity of 30,000 tons)
The Huaiyuan Economic Development Zone No. 2 Wastewater Treatment Plant Project in Bengbu, Anhui Province, undertaken by China Railway Shanghai Group, has successfully completed grid connection and commenced operation. The project is designed with a wastewater treatment capacity of 30,000 m³/day. Once fully operational, it will significantly enhance the treatment capacity for industrial and domestic wastewater within the Huaiyuan Economic Development Zone, improve the regional living environment, and contribute to ecological protection of the Huaihe River Basin.
- Project Capacity:30,000 m³/day
- Related Product:Retro-X® Retrievable Micro-Mixing Flexible Hose Aeration System, with a total installation length of 8,300 meters
- Project Location:Bengbu City, Anhui Province, China
- Process Technology:Newly constructed Modified A²/O (Anaerobic–Anoxic–Oxic) Process
Retro-X® FAQ
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