In this study the response surface methodology was used to optimize the effect of Reynolds number, flocculation time and sodium hypochlorite concentration on the iron oxidation/flocculation present in groundwaters in an aeration system with air auto-aspiration. This system was composed of a recipient type Venturi coupled to a mixture tube to promote the oxygenation of the water through the suction of the atmospheric air. The hydrodynamic mapping allowed the verification of the operation conditions in which the system presented the best air suction efficiency and energy consumption, and the comparison of the best field conditions. The observed results demonstrated that it was possible to remove 98.7% of present iron (residual iron of 0.06 mg L-1) when the system operated with Reynolds number of 5.39 x 10(4), sodium hypochlorite concentrations of 38.4 mg L-1 and flocculation time of 30 min. The response surface methodology was satisfactory and allowed for the optimization of the mentioned operational variables.
aeration; groundwater; surface response methodology; iron removal
