Sustainable solutions for urban flooding: introducing the tower-based solar-powered drainage system

Abstract

This invention presents a modern rainwater drainage system designed to efficiently handle urban flooding. The system integrates KerbDrain (hollow kerbstones), water collection chambers, suction and lifting pumps, and a water tower. Powered by solar energy and controlled by automated sensors, the system activates during rainfall to collect and drain water quickly, eliminating the need for deep trenches, gravity-fed pipes, or water tankers. The tower, with a capacity of 1.2 million liters, temporarily holds and discharges water through pressurized pipes, offering an efficient, eco-friendly solution to rainwater management. The idea achieves the following objectives: 1. Elimination of flooding caused by rainwater. 2. Elimination of the need for water tankers. 3. Utilization of rainwater for various purposes such as agriculture or industrial use. 4. Operation of the project using solar energy. 5. Reduction of financial losses and minimization of risks.

Description

[0001] Description:

[0002] This invention introduces an innovative urban rainwater drainage system designed to address the challenges of water accumulation on streets and the inefficiencies of traditional drainage networks. Current systems often struggle with blockages, improper pipe slopes, or the distance of water collection points from natural water outlets like seas or rivers. Additionally, the common alternative of using water tankers to remove rainwater from streets is time-consuming, costly, and inefficient.

[0003] The proposed invention solves these issues by using a comprehensive, self-sustaining system that collects, transports, and discharges rainwater efficiently, powered by renewable solar energy. The system eliminates the need for gravity -fed pipes and deep excavation by utilizing suction pumps and lifting mechanisms, offering a more adaptable solution for urban areas where conventional systems fall short. Key components include:

[0004] • KerbDrain (hollow kerbstones): Installed along the edges of streets, these specially designed curbstones directly capture rainwater from road surfaces. By integrating the drainage system into the kerbstone design, water is collected more efficiently and closer to the source, reducing runoff and minimizing flooding risks.

[0005] • Water collection chambers: Strategically placed beneath the KerbDrain system, these chambers gather water and act as reservoirs for suction pumps. Unlike traditional drainage manholes, these chambers are designed to integrate seamlessly with the KerbDrain units, ensuring a smooth flow of water without the need for sloped piping.

[0006] • Suction pumps: These pumps are located at short intervals (one meter) from the collection chambers. They extract water directly from the chambers, channeling it into a network of transport pipes. Unlike gravity-fed systems, these pumps provide an active, energy-efficient way to move water uphill or over flat terrain, allowing for flexible installation without the need for deep trenches or angled piping.

[0007] • Transport pipes: These pipes connect the suction pumps to a central pump station. Since the system does not rely on gravity, these pipes can be laid at shallow depths, reducing installation costs and disruption to city infrastructure. Water is carried from the streets to the pump station using this low-impact network.

[0008] • Lifting pumps: Located near the water tower, these pumps raise the collected water to the top of the tower. This process eliminates the need for gravity in moving water, making the system adaptable to a wide range of urban environments. Once lifted, the water can be stored in the tower or immediately discharged through pressure-based systems.

[0009] • Water tower: Standing 36 meters tall, the tower has a capacity of 1.2 million liters (300,000 gallons), equivalent to the capacity of 60 water tankers. Unlike traditional water storage systems, this tower is not designed primarily for long-term storage. Instead, it acts as a temporary holding point, with pressurized pipes immediately discharging water without the need for further pumping. This ensures a continuous flow of water, preventing overflow and flooding.

[0010] • Solar-powered system: The entire drainage network is powered by dual-layer solar panels, ensuring that the system operates independently of external power sources or fossil fuels. These panels are augmented by mirrors, which reflect additional sunlight onto the panels to maximize energy generation even in low-light conditions. This environmentally friendly design ensures that the system can operate reliably during storms and periods of heavy rainfall.

[0011] Automated sensor system: To further enhance efficiency, the pumps are equipped with sensors that monitor water levels in the collection chambers. When rain begins to fall and water levels rise, the sensors automatically activate the pumps, ensuring immediate water extraction. This autonomous operation reduces response time and eliminates the need for manual intervention, making the system highly responsive and adaptable to varying rainfall intensities.

[0012] With this combination of advanced components, the system offers a faster, more efficient solution to urban flooding, reducing the dependency on manual water removal methods like tankers, while also providing an environmentally sustainable alternative.

Claims

Claims:

1. A rainwater drainage system that utilizes KerbDrain, hollow kerbstones, to directly capture rainwater from street surfaces, providing an immediate drainage solution without relying on conventional pipe networks.

2. The use of water collection chambers beneath KerbDrain units, which collect water for direct extraction by nearby pumps, enhancing the efficiency of water collection and eliminating the need for deep trenches or gravity-based systems.

3. Suction pumps placed one meter away from water collection chambers, providing the ability to move water efficiently into transport pipes, overcoming the limitations of traditional gravity- fed drainage systems.

4. A system of transport pipes that connects suction pumps to lifting pumps, designed to function without reliance on pipe slopes or deep excavation, enabling flexible installation in a variety of urban landscapes.

5. Lifting pumps that raise collected rainwater to the top of a water tower, providing an active drainage mechanism that replaces gravity-driven flow, allowing water to be moved in any direction or elevation.

6. A water tower with a 1.2 million-liter capacity (equivalent to 60 water tankers), featuring pressurized pipes that allow for the immediate discharge of water without the need for additional pumping equipment.

7. The use of solar-powered energy through dual-layer panels and reflective mirrors, allowing the entire drainage system to operate without reliance on external power grids or fossil fuels, ensuring sustainability.

8. An automated sensor system that triggers pumps based on real-time water levels in the collection chambers, enabling the system to respond instantly to rainfall and preventing water accumulation on streets.

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