Aeration using bubble clusters is a central practice in biol. and industrial process technol.The oxygen transfer capacity of state-of-the-art aeration elements was analyzed by means of sulphite (SIV) oxidation in liquid phase.Oxygen transfer rate, oxygen transfer efficiency and specific values for the size of the interphase were derived.Measurements were carried out in a pilot scale seawater flue gas desulphurisation plant, using an aeration basin equipped with a gas-tight cover.Aeration elements representing different types and materials were installed in the basin and fed with pressurised dried air.Liquid temperature and pH were controlled during experiments 0.5 mol/l sulphite solution was used for the experiments, which were carried out at pH = 9 and Tl = 22-25 °C in presence of a cobalt catalyst.Under these conditions, the liquid phase mass transfer resistance was negligible, allowing the determination of the interphase.Elements were tested at rates of feed flow [formula omitted].The oxygen consumption due to oxidation of the sulphite, which is a direct measure of the transferred gas flux, was derived by means of two measurement methods: exhaust gas anal. and iodometry.While the results of both methods showed comparable trends, discrepancies in total mass transfer were found, which were attributed to the exptl. setup.Results showed significant differences in characteristics of the tested aeration elements.Influences due to assembly regarding the orientation of an element inside an aeration basin were analyzed for pipe aerators with double-sided perforation.