Modular Surface Water Filtration Basin for Clog Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for filtering surface runoff water before it enters storm drains are not durable enough for long-term use with minimal maintenance and often clog during high water flow, leading to environmental pollution.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a basin with a porous structure and filter media, such as activated carbon or KDF, that allows for continuous water filtration and treatment, with a design that includes a discharge pipe and optional filter media balls to maintain flow rates and facilitate easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a filtering device is placed under a sewer grate to filter surface runoff water, then chemical pollutants and small particles are removed, but the device clogs during high water flow and requires periodic removal for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the filtration function into multiple components: a first filtering device for chemical pollutants, a second filtering device for solids debris, and a sediment trap. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific types of contaminants, preventing clogging of the entire system during high flow conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A flow equalization chamber is introduced as an intermediary component between the filtering devices and the sewer system. This chamber buffers high water flow, allowing the filters to operate at optimal flow rates and preventing clogging during storm events.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a filtering device is placed under a sewer grate, then water filtration occurs, but periodic removal of the sewer grate and extraction of the filtering device is required for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering device is segmented into modular components that can be independently accessed and maintained. The sump and filtering elements are designed to be removable without requiring removal of the entire sewer grate, enabling easy maintenance while continuing to provide pollution filtration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If heavy debris and sediment removal system uses stair stepping basins at different elevations, then course solids are filtered, but the system does not specify filtering material and requires complex structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies using porous filtering materials with defined pore sizes to filter course solids and fine particles. This eliminates the need for complex stair-stepping basin structures, as the porous materials provide effective filtration in a simpler, more compact configuration.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a metal catch basin with trap doors is used, then solids are caught before entering outflow, but the system requires periodic manual intervention to open doors for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering device incorporates self-cleaning mechanisms and design features that allow maintenance without manual intervention. The modular construction enables automatic or easily accessible cleaning, eliminating the need for periodic manual opening of trap doors.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If water filtration system uses stepped basins with vegetation and aeration, then chemical pollutants are removed, but there is no method for periodic removal of saturated filtration media
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system uses segmented, modular filtering devices that can be independently removed and replaced. This modular design allows saturated filtration media to be easily swapped out without complex disassembly, while the system continues to effectively remove chemical pollutants through the remaining functional components.
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
The system effectively reduces chemical pollutants and solids in surface runoff water, providing continuous filtration and treatment without requiring permanent fixed subsystems, allowing for periodic removal and processing of pollutants, thus reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
A system comprising a basin with a porous structure and filter media, such as activated carbon or KDF
Implementation Method 2
filter media, such as activated carbon or KDF
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are systems and methods for cleaning surface water streams. More specifically, surface water is cleaned using the systems and methods described herein wherein the surface water cleaning system comprises sequential aligned basins which are configured to direct water flow through one or a series of filter media such that the filtered water stream is reduced in organic chemicals and/or particles.