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Bubble Curtain Construction

Silt & Debris Bubble Barriers

Bubble Barriers and Curtains are a flexible Bubble Tubing® application for controlling silt and debris in rivers, canals, estuaries, harbours and reservoirs.

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The diffuser releases a rising plume of microbubbles that drives vertical flow and forms a soft bed–to–surface barrier. This hydrodynamic curtain slows and redirects suspended solids so silt plumes stay contained and debris spread is reduced, while the microbubbles also add an oxygen boost through the water column.

Designed for rapid response or planned works, Bubble Curtains use self-weighted Bubble Tubing® that is simple to deploy from bank or boat, can connect directly to site tool compressors, and can be configured in single or multiple layers.

Layouts are versatile on site; straight runs, arcs or full enclosures and perform in environments where traditional silt curtains struggle. Each Bubble Curtain is engineered to site specifics (length, depth, flow and access) using ISO 9001-certified diffuser technology with low compressor demand and self-cleaning diffuser perforations for reliable, low-maintenance operation.

For longer-term aeration and destratification pairings, see OctoAir®.

Used to protect:
  • Lakes
  • Reservoirs
  • Rivers
  • Marine & coastal areas
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Bubble barrier technology helps construction companies when working in water
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Key Benefits

Flexible control of suspended solids in water

Reliable

Reliable containment of suspended solids, helps manage silt plumes and debris in variable water conditions

Doesn’t impede navigation

Does not inhibit navigation of boats or aquatic life during operation

Proven technology

ISO-certified diffuser design with self-cleaning perforations, resistant to UV, salinity, and pH variation

Adaptable layouts

Can be installed in straight lines, arcs, or full enclosures to protect intakes, outfalls or contain working areas

Cost and carbon savings

Simple to deploy, operate and re-use across projects

Safe for aquatic life

Bubble Tubing® creates a non-entangling, fish-safe barrier.

Every Bubble Curtain is designed around site conditions. Key design considerations include:

Scope of project Curtain length, water depth, flows, tidal range, bathymetry, and access
Layout Geometry (linear, arc, enclosure)
Weighted options Additional anchoring and moorings to suit substrate and flow conditions
Compressor We will provide specification including oil-free, energy-optimised units with low noise options
Maintenance Self-purging perforations minimise fouling
Warranty Supplied with a 5-year manufacturing warranty

 

Question?

Frequently asked questions

Got a question about any of our products or services? Check out our FAQs, or give us a call:

Related

Silt control products

The Silt Mats worked perfectly, capturing sediment during excavation works of our new channel creation. We really appreciate your flexibility of getting them to us so swiftly.

Matthew Lyall, Senior Project Officer
Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust

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“With increasing UK rainfall over recent years, and anticipating potential delays, the site was designed with a rain-ready mitigation system to tackle the inevitable surface water.”

“Water is pumped through a Pipe Reactor where it is treated with Gel Flocculant to reduce settlement time, then into settlement ponds and a final polishing pond, which runs over a series of biodegradable mats to remove any remaining silt.”

Richard Walsh, Senior Project Manager
VolkerStein

“The rain-ready approach of using Silt Mats™, settlement ponds and Silt Capture Channels means the equipment remains in place year-round, ready for use whenever needed. Independent laboratory testing has shown that there is 99% reduction in total suspended solids and up to 99% reduction in iron. This means the water being discharged back into the river actually meets the threshold for drinking water standards.

“VolkerStevin contacted us early on in the process, giving plenty of time for discussion and review before the project’s critical works began. It really emphasises what can be achieved with early engagement towards water management.”

Gavin Beat, Senior Technical Specialist
Frog Environmental

“The key takeaway from this project is that it is possible to manage silt pollution to a very high standard with minimal incidents, even across huge scales, varying ground conditions and extreme weather.

“The Floc Mats proved to be a game changer providing innovative silt management. We are now using them on another overhead line project and look forward to the opportunity to work with Frog Environmental again in the future.”

Colin Mackay, Environmental Sustainability Manager (Scotland)
Balfour Beatty Power Transmission and Distribution

“Frog Environmental were knowledgeable, helping to establish a workable, cost-effective and low maintenance solution for site approved by the regulator.

They really understood the water management issues we had on site and worked with us to develop a solution which works, as well as engaging with our operatives to ensure that they could effectively manage the system.

It was a long regulatory process, but we understand the risks associated with working in such sensitive areas, especially with new and different products and the concerns Stakeholders may have, and they were brilliant in helping provide the necessary data to satisfy Regulator requirements.

We are delighted to have found a solution that prevents pollution and protects the environment, and ultimately allows us to continue with construction.”

Glenn Entwistle, Senior Environmental Advisor
Advance JV

“The Bubble Curtain has been a gamechanger for our rivers network and has become an internal success story. Thanks to the specialist support given by Frog Environmental’s Technical Team in design and planning, we got it right the first time.”

Brett Holmes, Site Agent
BAM Nuttall

The Kex Gill road realignment scheme is a challenging project with multiple environmental risks including management of silt and water quality of the surrounding environment given the locality of designated sites.

Frog Environmental are providing us with extensive technical support, including the design, supply and install of their silt control products on site to ensure the project minimises risks to the watercourses in the project vicinity and prevents impact on highly sensitive aquatic species.

It’s great to be working with them and we’re delighted with the success of the whole project.

Georgina King, Associate Director
RSK Environment

RSK

It’s good to see Frog getting involved with GT at the earliest stages of the project to help with planning out water management in advance of needing it.

Galliford Try

GT

Innovative solutions I’d not considered before.

Jacobs

Jacob

“The results (of the bubble curtain) were quite dramatic – in fact, startling… we have a workable solution that we’ve proved has a dramatic impact on noise propagation.” 

David McLaren, Site Manager – Marine & Civils
John F Hunt Regeneration

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“Frog Environmental were knowledgeable, helping to establish a workable, cost-effective and low maintenance solution for site approved by the regulator. They really understood the water management issues we had on site and worked with us to develop a solution which works, as well as engaging with our operatives to ensure that they could effectively manage the system.

We are delighted to have found a solution that prevents pollution and protects the environment, and ultimately allows us to continue with construction.”

Glenn Entwistle, Senior Environmental Advisor
Advance JV

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“Thanks to Frog’s technical expertise and insight, we have found new ways to tackle these common issues and improve our site water management practices – from company-wide awareness and training to monitoring and prevention. As a consequence, we have made significant cost savings and lowered our carbon emissions.” 

Paul Thomas, Head of Environment
Winvic Construction

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