Culvert Rinsing via Sudden Water Level Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for flushing culverts are inefficient, leading to deposits and hydraulic losses due to insufficient flow velocity and backpressure, which results in frequent manual cleaning and maintenance, and can cause biogenic sulfur corrosion and pipe destruction.
Innovation Solution
The method involves sunk flushing, where a damming device is used to create a sudden drop in water level, generating a high-energy flow that pulls water through the culvert, avoiding backpressure and using a combination of water and air to create a turbulent flow for effective cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If culverts are constructed to avoid pumping stations at crossings with watercourses, buildings with deep foundations, underground roads, tunnels and other obstacles, then the sewer can pass under obstacles without pumping stations, but deposits form in the culvert due to insufficient flow velocity and backwater occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic flushing cycles where the lower slide valve is temporarily opened to allow accumulated water to rush through the culvert, creating high-velocity flow that removes deposits. This periodic action converts the static problem of low flow velocity into a dynamic cleaning process that occurs at intervals, maintaining reliability without requiring continuous pumping stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary accumulation of water in the upper channel section before flushing. By allowing water to accumulate upstream of the culvert and then suddenly releasing it through the opened lower valve, the system creates a surge of high-velocity flow that prevents deposit formation. This preliminary accumulation prepares the energy needed to overcome the insufficient flow velocity problem.
2Speed
If the diameter of the culvert is chosen to be smaller than that of the connecting canal to avoid low speeds, then the cross-section is reduced, but a sufficient difference in height is required which is usually not available and backwater with deposits occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static culvert design to a dynamic flushing system. The lower slide valve can be opened to temporarily change the flow conditions, allowing the system to switch between normal operation mode and high-velocity flushing mode. This dynamic capability enables the use of smaller culvert diameters while periodically achieving the high speeds needed to prevent deposits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow parameters by temporarily opening the lower valve, which dramatically increases flow velocity through the culvert. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high-speed flushing conditions without permanently increasing the culvert diameter or requiring large height differences, as the velocity boost comes from the sudden release of accumulated water pressure.
3Productivity
If flushing is carried out by accumulated water in the overhead channel or from special flushing chambers, then flushing can be performed, but the amount of water is insufficient and manual cleaning is still required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to flush itself by utilizing the accumulated water in the upper channel section. The automatic opening of the lower slide valve allows this accumulated water to rush through the culvert and remove deposits without requiring external flushing chambers or manual intervention. The system serves its own cleaning needs using its own water resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the flushing function from separate flushing chambers and integrates it into the main culvert system. By using the lower slide valve to control the release of accumulated water directly through the culvert, the system eliminates the need for separate flushing infrastructure and achieves more effective water utilization for deposit removal.
4Reliability
If overflow sill or higher inlet zones are used to distribute water and reduce deposits, then deposit reduction is achieved, but higher storage heights are required which create dangerous back pressure and lead to additional hydraulic losses
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using higher inlet zones to distribute water from above, the patent inverts the approach by using the lower slide valve to control water flow from below. This inversion allows the system to utilize the accumulated water pressure in the upper channel to create high-velocity flow through the culvert without requiring elevated storage structures, thereby avoiding the back pressure and hydraulic losses associated with high inlet zones.
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 ensures high-speed flushing with increased shear stress, effectively removing deposits and reducing maintenance needs, while preventing flooding and pipe damage by ensuring efficient water flow and turbulence.
Implementation Method 1
a damming device is used to create a sudden drop in water level, generating a high-energy flow that pulls water through the culvert
Implementation Method 2
using a combination of water and air to create a turbulent flow for effective cleaning
Implementation Method 3
high-speed flushing with increased shear stress, effectively removing deposits
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for rinsing a waste water channel (1) in a section (2) that is installed underneath an obstacle (3), particularly for rinsing a section that is designed as a culvert (10). According to said method, the waste water flowing into the waste water channel is contained by way of a containment device (14) that is arranged in a lower culvert head (6) or in a lower channel section (9) such that when the containment device is in a closed position, the waste water is contained up to at least one upper culvert head (4), and a channel section (9) located downstream of the containment device is dry. The contained waste water is released by moving the containment device, and the section to be rinsed is rinsed by means of pressure drop rinsing. On a unit for rinsing the channel operating according to the method, means (27, 28, 29) for detecting the fill level in the waste water channel and a pivotable and/or linearly displaceable rinsing shield (15) are provided.