Diffuser

A diffuser introduces and often blends air with another environment or location, and is used in a wide variety of applications. From the pet fish industry to wastewater treatment, even to the racecar industry, diffusers are used the world over, on a daily basis.

The Need for Speed

A diffuser on a racecar differs greatly from the diffuser used in a fish aquarium. In the car, the diffuser reduces drag and increases downforce on the speeding machine. Ultimately, it serves two important purposes. The diffuser makes the car run fast, and keeps it on the track. Not all racecars use diffusers, however -- at least, not technically. Those that do without have a true flat bottom, with no protruding pipes to obstruct the airflow. In this case, the bottom of the car itself is acting like a diffuser, sucking in air at the front and slowing it down, producing a reduced drag and increasing downforce. Cars without a flat bottom have a diffuser installed that does the same thing, grabbing incoming air and reducing the air pressure. With the increase of downforce, the air is actually sucking at the car and holding it to the track -- a comforting thought to the driver of two tons of metal and gas, flying around a sharp turn at an excess of one hundred miles per hour.

The Need for Air

A diffuser in a fish tank takes air from outside the tank and puts it into the water, mixing oxygen with water to keep the supply fresh and allow the fish to breathe. By blending together the air and the water, a diffuser also helps keep the water clean and clear, pleasing not only the fish living in the habitat, but also people who have to look at it.

Other applications for diffusers include wastewater treatments that are more similar to the diffuser in a fish-tank that a racecar. Mixing oxygen with wastewater kills many forms of bacteria and aids in mixing and dislodging more solid waste.

For another application that smells quite as much, but more pleasantly, diffusers are also used in the aroma industry. Plug-in appliances allow pleasing aromas to enter the atmosphere of a home or office, helping to keep air smelling fresh and aiding in the creation of a positive mood. There are even USB powered aroma dispensers to use with your computer. In this case, the diffuser is mixing scented oil with air that is being sucked into and then dispersed from the appliance, removing sent-free air and replacing it with scent-full air -- a big improvement, especially if you work in a wastewater facility.