Active Stormwater Control Logic for BMP Sizing Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing hydromodification in urban development, such as flow duration control through stormwater detention facilities, often result in large, costly, and difficult-to-implement Best Management Practices (BMPs with long drawdown times, leading to channel erosion and biological impacts.
Innovation Solution
A system and methodology utilizing active stormwater controls with modulating valves, orifices, or pumps, and overflow weirs, combined with real-time monitoring and adaptive control logic, to optimize the sizing and design of BMPs, allowing for smaller facilities and adaptive flow release based on calibrated data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flow duration control is achieved through stormwater detention facilities, then pre-development flow regimes are maintained, but storage requirements become much larger than surface water treatment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static, passive storage facilities to dynamic, active control systems. Modulating valves and pumps actively adjust flow release rates in real-time based on monitored conditions, enabling small facilities to achieve flow duration control without requiring large storage volumes. The system dynamically responds to inflow variations while maintaining target flow regimes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from passive storage volume to active flow rate modulation. By using modulating valves and pumps to continuously adjust the outlet flow rate parameter, the system achieves flow duration control with much smaller facility volumes. The control system modifies flow parameters in real-time rather than relying on fixed storage capacity.
2Reliability
If larger stormwater detention facilities are constructed to achieve flow duration control, then pre-development flow regimes are maintained, but construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces large-scale static infrastructure with compact dynamic control systems. Active control components (modulating valves, pumps, sensors) enable small facilities to achieve the same flow regime maintenance function that would otherwise require much larger passive storage structures, significantly reducing construction costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical storage capacity with electronic/control-based flow modulation. Instead of relying on large physical storage volumes (mechanical solution), the system uses electronic sensors, controllers, and modulating valves to achieve flow duration control, reducing the mechanical infrastructure required and associated construction costs.
3Reliability
If larger stormwater detention facilities are constructed to achieve flow duration control, then pre-development flow regimes are maintained, but the facilities become difficult to situate on project sites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic active control to enable compact facility designs that can be situated on limited project sites. By actively modulating flow rates rather than relying on large storage volumes, the system achieves flow duration control in space-constrained urban environments where large facilities cannot be accommodated.
4Reliability
If larger stormwater detention facilities are constructed to achieve flow duration control, then pre-development flow regimes are maintained, but drawdown times increase resulting in vector control concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic control to actively manage drawdown timing and rates. Modulating valves and pumps can accelerate emptying processes and reduce residence times, eliminating the prolonged drawdown periods that create vector control problems in large passive facilities while maintaining flow duration control during storm events.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the creation of smaller, more feasible BMPs, allows retrofitting of existing facilities for hydromodification control, and adapts flow release logic in real-time, reducing construction costs and environmental impacts while maintaining pre-development flow regimes.
Implementation Method 1
The basic system outlet configuration can consist of (but is not limited to) a modulating valve, orifice, or pump at the bottom of the BMP
Implementation Method 2
an overflow weir at the top of the BMP
Implementation Method 3
real-time measurement of water level within the BMP
Implementation Method 4
the flow release logic can be adaptively adjusted based on calibrated data without physical retrofit of the BMP's outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A system, methodology, and programming logic for active stormwater controls to optimize sizing and design of Hydromodification Management (HM) structural Best Management Practices (BMPs) to achieve optimal flow duration control. Control logic enables the controlled release of stormwater from a BMP in a manner most akin to pre-development flow duration curves. Inputs to this logic include: flow duration curves based on continuous hydrologic simulation for pre- and post-development conditions; real-time measurement of water level within the BMP; and real-time measurement of discharge entering the BMP. This control logic can interact with control logic for other stormwater management objectives, such as harvest and reuse, infiltration, and combined sewer overflow prevention, and respective inputs, such as real-time weather forecast data, precipitation gage data, downstream flow gauge data, and water quality data, to meet those design objectives as well. New HM BMPs can be optimized to be smaller and, thus, more feasible to implement. Existing stormwater facilities designed for flood control or other management objectives can be retrofitted to provide hydromodification control as well. When utilized with real-time flow and water level monitoring equipment and data, the flow release logic can be adaptively adjusted without physical retrofit of the BMP's outlet.