2613results about "Runoff/storm water treatment" patented technology

In the processes for treating municipal sewage and storm water containing biosolids to discharge standards, biosolids, even after dewatering, contain typically about 80% water bound in the dead cells of the biosolids, which gives biosolids a negative heating value. It can be incinerated only at the expense of purchased fuel. Biosolids are heated to a temperature at which their cell structure is destroyed and, preferably, at which carbon dioxide is split off to lower the oxygen content of the biosolids. The resulting char is not hydrophilic, and it can be efficiently dewatered and/or dried and is a viable renewable fuel. This renewable fuel can be supplemented by also charging conventional biomass (yard and crop waste, etc.) in the same or in parallel facilities. Similarly, non-renewable hydrophilic fuels can be so processed in conjunction with the processing of biosolids to further augment the energy supply.

A two-step chemical precipitation process involving hydroxide precipitation and sulfide precipitation combined with “field separation ” technology such as magnetic separation, dissolved air flotation, vortex separation, or expanded plastics flotation, effectively removes chelated and non-chelated heavy metal precipitates and other fine particles from water. In the first-step, the non-chelated heavy metals are precipitated as hydroxides and removed from the water by a conventional liquid/solids separator such as an inclined plate clarifier to remove a large percentage of the dissolved heavy metals. The cleaned water is then treated in a second precipitation step to remove the residual heavy metals to meet discharge limits. In the second precipitation step, any metal precipitant more effective than hydroxide for metal precipitation can be used. The invention improves metal removal, lowers cost because fewer chemicals are used, produces less sludge, and reduces the discharge of toxic metals and metal precipitants to the environment. Magnetic separation is preferred for the separation of particles precipitated in the second stage. Similar methods can be employed for separation of other particulates from water. Particulates can also be removed by causing them to adhere to particles of expanded plastic, forming a floc lighter than water, so that the floc can be removed by flotation.

A two-step chemical precipitation process involving hydroxide precipitation and sulfide precipitation combined with “field separation” technology such as magnetic separation, dissolved air flotation, vortex separation or expanded plastics flotation, effectively removes chelated and non-chelated heavy metal precipitates and other fine particles from water. In the first-step, the non-chelated heavy metals are precipitated as hydroxides and removed from the water by a conventional liquid/solids separator such as an inclined plate clarifier to remove a large percentage of the dissolved heavy metals. The cleaned water is then treated in a second precipitation step to remove the residual heavy metals to meet discharge limits. In the second precipitation step, any metal precipitant more effective than hydroxide for metal precipitation can be used. The invention improves metal removal, lowers cost because fewer chemicals are used, produces less sludge, and reduces the discharge of toxic metals and metal precipitants to the environment.

A wastewater treatment system includes a vertical flow marsh cell that is adapted to contain media and to support plants having roots extending into the media, the roots and media positioned to contact water flowing downward through the marsh cell during a flooding stage, the media and plant roots providing surfaces to which biofilms can adsorb, the biofilms containing bacteria adapted to adsorb ammonium ions and nitrify ammonium ions to nitrate during an aerated drained phase. The marsh cell is configured to receive water from an outlet of a horizontal wetland that functions essentially anaerobically/anoxically to contain bacteria for transforming nitrate into nitrogen gas. Water to be treated and water exiting the marsh cell outlet are transportable to a wetland inlet, providing dilution of incoming wastewater. Treated water is discharged from the wetland outlet.

A removable catch basin filter insert includes a filter container is fitted into a catch basin in the ground at the location where the stormwater exits the gutter and enters the stormwater sewer system. The removable catch basin filter provides pollution capture from stormwater while being easily cleaned. A hinged cover is included at the top of the filter insert to allow the captured pollutants to be evacuated through the use of a vehicle or being tipped nearly upside down by a mechanical arm. A hinged trap door is included at the bottom of the filter insert to allow captured pollutants to be evacuated through the bottom of the device and into a container. By capturing the pollutants with the removable catch basin filter insert before the pollutants enter the mainline storm drain system, clean storm drain systems are provided allowing for cleaner waterways.

An apparatus for and method of filtering hydrocarbon contaminated water is disclosed herein. The present invention may be used in drainage openings, particularly in parking lots and containment areas for large sources of hydrocarbons such as oil tanks or electrical transformers, to remove hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon contaminated water. The apparatus has a filtration compartment which filters out debris and sediment which may clog the treatment compartment. A pre-filter attachable to the apparatus may be used to further aid in filtering out sediment. A means for melting snow and ice may be incorporated within the filtration compartment such that liquid flow is not hindered during extreme weather conditions. The treatment compartment contains a hydrocarbon absorption media which absorbs any hydrocarbons present in the water rendering such water substantially hydrocarbon-free for discharge directly into a stream or groundwater. In the event of a hydrocarbon spill, the hydrocarbon absorption media forms a plug which seals off the flow of contaminated water. A hydrocarbon solubilizing material capable of effectively removing sheen in a first pass may be disposed as a top layer over the hydrocarbon absorption media. Preferably, each compartment is manufactured as a cartridge which may be dropped into a housing inserted into a drain opening.

A horizontal flow water treatment method and wetland biofilter apparatus provides a chamber with impermeable outer walls spaced away from permeable interior walls of a media filtration bed such that a catch basin is formed between the outer walls and the interior walls. The catch basin creates an open area around the perimeter of the interior walls for influent water to fill within the open area on all sides before penetrating the filtration media, providing a large surface area for influent water to interact with the media filtration bed. The influent water enters the catch basin in a horizontal flow path to provide for pre-settling of particulates before making contact with the filtration media. The biofilter design increases the available surface area of the media filtration bed by up to four times for a given volume of water, and thereby minimizes the loading or infiltration rate on the media filtration bed.

An insert for use in a sewer system to remove oils and solvents carried by surface water runoff. The insert includes a holder and a quantity of water permeable, hydrophobic, oil and solvent absorbing material such as melt blown polypropylene. The holder has two functions. It holds an effective quantity of the absorber and holds it in such a way that the surface water is exposed to the absorber to allow oils and solvents to be absorbed. The insert in preferably placed, cartridge-like, at the inlet or outlet of the sewer system so that it may be quickly checked, replaced and serviced. In one embodiment, the insert also contains a leaf trap.

A hydrodynamic device for removing sediment and other materials from storm water runoff is provided. An exemplary embodiment of this device includes: a first substantially cylindrical chamber a second substantially cylindrical chamber concentrically disposed within the upper portion of the first chamber, a first baffle concentrically disposed within the second chamber, and a second baffle disposed within the lower portion of the first chamber. A water inlet is attached to or formed integrally with the second chamber; a water outlet is attached to or formed integrally with the first chamber; and an optional bypass outlet is attached to or formed integrally with the first chamber.

A sorptive-filtration system for removing at least one of negatively or positively charged ions, complexes or particulates from an aqueous stream. The system includes a) flow formed substantially from at least one of rainfall-runoff or snowmelt-runoff; b) a filter containment communicating with the runoff stream such that at least part of the stream passes through the filter containment; and c) a granular filter media disposed within the filter containment, the filter media having an amphoteric material applied thereto, wherein the amphoteric material comprises a metal selected from at least one of Fe, Al, Mn, or Si.

A river course ecological treatment system essentially comprises a plurality of ecological biological water purification systems and a plurality of plastic retaining dams disposed along a river course, and at least one damp land ecological water purification system disposed beside the river course. The plastic retaining dams separate the river course into several retaining regions. The ecological biological water purification systems purify the water in the retaining regions by microorganism purification. Afterward, the water purified by the ecological biological water purification systems is introduced into rainwater channels of the at least one damp land ecological water purification system. After being purified by aquatic plants in the at least one damp land ecological water purification system, the water returns to the retaining regions the downstream portion of the river course. Therefore, a river improvement system capable of performing both step-by-step treatment and joint treatment is effectuated.

In some embodiments, a filtration system may include one or more of the following features: (a) a housing having a bottom portion, a middle portion coupled to the bottom portion and an upper portion, and a cap coupled to the upper portion, (b) a sediment storage area within the bottom portion, (c) a separator area within the middle portion, (d) a porous filter within the upper portion, (e) an access hatch within the cap, (f) an inlet pipe for allowing storm water within a middle chamber, (g) an outlet pipe for allowing filtered water to be discharged from the filtration system, and (h) a central pipe being a passageway through the porous filter.

A complete storm water management system and process which performs both drainage and treatment tasks and incorporates a wetlands water treatment system. This system creates an infrastructure, flow control which is multi-level and multi-stage. This system incorporates a self-contained wetlands treatment system. This is a modular system which includes three or more linear chambers through which the storm water or other influent passes and is cleaned. The influent which flows into a storm drain, curb inlet, or inflow pipe into the system is directed first into a screening type catch basin inset filter within the first chamber of the system. The wetlands chamber is composed of one or more modular segments which may be made in various depths, lengths and widths. The influent is treated within the first chamber before it passes out of this chamber into the incorporated wetlands system. The water flows through the wetlands chamber where it is further filtered and decontaminated through both an aerobic and anaerobic process. In situations of high runoff there is a bypass component which runs directly from the first chamber and bypasses the wetlands chamber dumping the pretreated water into the discharge final chamber. This system is fitted with a variable level treatment component designed in such a way to offer variable discharge rates and thus vary the level of treatments over a wide range of flow rates. The system can be placed underground, and below concrete, such as in parking lots or park areas.

A pavement material for the capture of waterborne constituents. The pavement material comprises a porous pavement substrate and an amphoteric compound bonded to the substrate. The porous pavement material may have a hydraulic conductivity ranging from about 0.001 to about 1.0 cm/sec and may act as a storm water storage basin.

A water treatment system that utilizes magnetic seeding and magnetic separation to treat water. A magnetic collector is provided for collecting magnetic floc from the water being treated. A floc removal device in the form of a scraper is magnetically held adjacent to or in contact with the magnetic collector for scraping magnetic floc from the magnetic collector. Also disclosed is a disk type magnetic collector that includes a plurality of spaced apart magnetic disks supported on a shaft. A plurality of hook shaped floc removal devices are supported on the shaft with each hook shaped floc removal device being disposed between two magnetic disks or at least adjacent one magnetic disk. The hook type removal devices are spaced so as to engage an adjacent surface of a rotating magnetic disk. As the disk type magnetic collector is rotated, the hook type removal devices engage magnetic floc collected on the surfaces of the magnetic disks and scrape the magnetic floc from the disks.