Parallel Screen Assembly for Stormwater Pretreatment Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current storm water pretreatment methods for green infrastructure are inefficient, often clogging due to small cross-sectional flow areas, leading to ineffective pollutant removal and potential failure of BMP facilities, especially in urban areas with high pollutant loads.
Innovation Solution
A compact, modular storm water pre-treatment device with a co-current flow regime using baffle walls, lamella plates, and netting, along with an optional adjustable aperture feature, captures trash, sediment, and oil spills, enhancing settling efficiency and reducing soil clogging, while allowing for varying flow rates and easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fabric or small diameter stone screening methods are used for pretreatment, then trash and sediment can be filtered out, but the small cross-sectional flow area causes quick clogging and renders the pretreatment useless
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the flow into multiple parallel streams using a screen assembly with multiple screens arranged side-by-side. This segmentation increases the total cross-sectional flow area while maintaining effective screening, preventing clogging by distributing the flow load across multiple paths rather than a single narrow passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen assembly extends horizontally across the flow path rather than using a single vertical screen. By arranging screens in a horizontal array (adding a dimensional aspect), the device creates a large total flow area without increasing vertical height, allowing high flow rates while maintaining effective screening coverage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional upward flow settling cells are used, then sediment can settle from water flow, but the flow path and configuration limit settling efficiency and require large space
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using traditional upward flow through inclined plates, this device uses downward flow through horizontally arranged screens. The flow direction is inverted from vertical upward to horizontal downward, allowing sediment to settle under gravity while the flow moves horizontally through the screen assembly, achieving efficient settling in a compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses the natural gravity-driven flow and sediment settling without requiring external energy input or complex mechanical components. The horizontal screen arrangement and downward flow regime allow the system to self-regulate sediment separation using only the force of gravity and the physical barrier of the screens.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If screens are used to filter trash and sediment, then pollutant removal is achieved, but the small cross-sectional area causes the screens to clog quickly and potentially fail the entire BMP facility
Solution Approach 1:
The screen assembly consists of multiple individual screens arranged in parallel. When one screen becomes clogged, the other screens continue to function, maintaining overall system productivity. The segmented design allows for easier maintenance by isolating and removing individual screens rather than the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
By extending the screen assembly horizontally rather than using a single vertical screen, the device creates a large total filtering area that handles high flow rates without requiring frequent maintenance. The horizontal arrangement allows trash to be distributed across multiple screens, reducing the loading on each individual screen and extending maintenance intervals.
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 device provides enhanced water quality, reduced need for remediation, improved plant growth conditions, and protection from scour, ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of green infrastructure by effectively screening pollutants and managing flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
the water is substantially flowing downward... the deterministic flow regime of flowing substantially with the direction of gravity proves to enhance the inherent settling direction of the sediment on the cell bottoms
Implementation Method 2
the eddy current in the settling cells all contribute to the separation of sediment from the water flow in this device
Data Source
AI summary
An object of this invention is to provide an improved means of water treatment effectiveness. The invention strips floating and sinking particulates from flowing water with netting and inclined settling cells, which are arranged in an overlapping fashion to save treatment space. The effluent invert is virtually level with the influent invert to minimize pressure loss. The device pre-treats water for further treatment by filtering methods and among other application is ideally suited for applications where low depth profile treatment is beneficial or required.