Fabric Filter Bag Erosion Control with Self-Rising Hopper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing erosion control methods, such as hay bales and silt fences, are ineffective in preventing sediment and pollutants from entering the environment during storm water runoff, as they either allow water to escape through gaps or fail under pressure, leading to soil erosion and environmental contamination.
Innovation Solution
A fabric filter bag system with a self-rising design and buoyancy apparatus, made from woven or non-woven monofilament polypropylene, that slows water flow and filters out particles of all sizes, using additional media like activated carbon and flocculants to treat water, while being anchored securely to prevent overflow and structural failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional methods like hay bales are used to block runoff, then sediment may be trapped, but water escapes through gaps making the method ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible geotextile fabric barrier that can conform to the ground surface and resist water pressure without rigid structural support. The fabric's flexibility allows it to maintain structural integrity while effectively blocking both water and sediment, eliminating the gap problem of rigid hay bales.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple materials with complementary properties: geotextile fabric for filtration and structural support, straw or wood chips for sediment trapping and energy dissipation, and stakes for anchoring. This composite approach creates a robust barrier that prevents water escape while maintaining structural integrity under pressure.
2Reliability
If silt fences are used to prevent sediment egress, then some sediment may be trapped, but they fail structurally under heavy storm water pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The geotextile fabric acts as a flexible membrane that distributes water pressure along its entire surface area rather than concentrating force at single points. This flexibility allows the barrier to maintain structural integrity under heavy storm water pressure while effectively containing sediment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the barrier function into multiple components: the geotextile fabric handles water pressure and filtration, while the straw or wood chip layers handle sediment trapping and energy dissipation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without structural failure.
3Reliability
If hay bales are deployed to block runoff, then sediment may be trapped, but deployment is labor and time intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The geotextile fabric can be rapidly deployed by simply unrolling and staking it into place, eliminating the labor-intensive process of stacking and securing individual hay bales. The flexible nature of the fabric allows for quick installation while maintaining effective sediment trapping capability.
4Reliability
If hay bales are used as runoff barriers, then sediment may be trapped, but they deteriorate quickly and clog drains
Solution Approach 1:
The geotextile fabric is made from durable synthetic materials that resist deterioration from water exposure, UV radiation, and biological degradation. This flexible membrane maintains its structural integrity and filtration capability throughout the construction season, unlike organic materials like hay that rapidly decompose.
Solution Approach 2:
The geotextile fabric's porous structure allows water to pass through while trapping sediment, and the pores prevent clogging by allowing fine particles to be retained on the surface rather than blocking the entire flow path. This maintains effective sediment containment without drain clogging over extended periods.
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
Effectively prevents the egress of debris and pollutants, reduces erosion, and requires less frequent maintenance compared to traditional methods, as it distributes fluid flow pressure and allows for customizable filtration materials, ensuring sediment-free water discharge without collapsing during runoff events.
Implementation Method 1
The self-rising upper leading edge may comprise a buoyancy apparatus, fabricated from a material that is less dense than water
Implementation Method 2
The hopper may be fabricated from permeable filter fabric that allows water to pass through the fabric, but that filters out suspended sediments and other particulate matter
Implementation Method 3
Designed to control erosion and the flow of waterborne sediment and pollutants, the device may be fabricated from a variety of fabrics... the design allows it to slow the speed of water or other fluid passing through it
Implementation Method 4
The gussets may operate as a velocity-reducing baffle to reduce the velocity of parallel water flow, thus increasing the capture of debris and settlement by the invention during a storm water runoff event
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the invention is an erosion and storm water control apparatus comprising a hopper portion, an upstream apron, and a downstream apron. The hopper portion may be fabricated from permeable filter fabric and is aided in remaining open by gussets that may be comprised of fabric or other material. The hopper may comprise a self-rising upper edge. The upstream apron may comprise pockets that may be filled with dirt, rocks or the like, and may be buried in an upstream trench, in order to hold the erosion and storm water control apparatus in place during a runoff event, such as during or directly after a thunderstorm. The downstream apron may be fabricated from impervious membrane for anchoring with adhesive, staples, stakes, weights or the like. The invention may comprise handles to assist in the removal of debris and sediment.