Floating Storm Water Filter with Metal Capturing Ballast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storm water filtration devices in storm drains face challenges with stability during heavy flows and are cumbersome to install and remove, often reducing the drain's capacity and not effectively capturing metals and surface pollutants.
Innovation Solution
A floating device with a metal capturing ballast unit, using slag from iron production as a solid granular material, combined with a filter unit made of porous polypropylene and activated carbon, which provides stability and efficient capture of metals and other pollutants, while allowing larger particles to pass through to the catch basin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a floating filter device is used to filter storm water, then the device can be easily installed and removed without reducing drain capacity, but the device suffers from stability problems when subjected to large flows of storm water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by incorporating a ballast unit that provides downward force to counterbalance the upward buoyant force on the floating device. This ballast unit is positioned to create a stable floating condition where the device remains upright and stable even when subjected to large flows of storm water, while still maintaining the ease of installation and removal characteristics of floating devices.
2Reliability
If a fixed filter unit is mounted at the inlet of a storm drain, then filtration is effective, but the installation process becomes troublesome and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the filter unit from a fixed, stationary installation to a movable, floating structure. The filter unit is designed to float on the storm water surface within the drain, allowing it to be easily installed by simply placing it in the water and removed by lifting it out. This dynamic approach maintains filtration effectiveness while dramatically improving installation and removal ease.
3Ease of operation
If a floating filter device is used, then installation is simple, but the device does not effectively capture metals and surface pollutants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the composite materials principle by combining multiple filtration materials with different functions within the filter unit. This includes incorporating materials specifically designed to capture metals (such as activated carbon or ion-exchange materials) alongside materials for capturing surface pollutants (such as hydrophobic materials for oil and grease). This composite structure maintains the simple installation characteristics while significantly improving pollutant capture effectiveness across multiple contaminant types.
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 achieves increased stability and effective removal of metals and surface pollutants from storm water, improving the filtration process without reducing the storm drain's capacity, using readily available and cost-effective materials.
Implementation Method 1
the metal capturing ballast unit comprises a solid material for capturing metal
Implementation Method 2
a floating carrier for carrying the filter unit and the metal capturing ballast unit, whereby, in use, the device is arranged in a floating condition in the storm water
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (1) for filtering storm water inside a storm drain. The device (1) comprises a filter unit (2), a metal capturing ballast unit (6), and a floating carrier (4) for carrying the filter unit and the metal capturing ballast unit (6). Whereby, in use, the device (1) is arranged in a floating condition in the storm water of the storm drain. The filter unit (2) is at least partially arranged above a surface (5) of the storm water, and the metal capturing ballast unit (6) is arranged below the surface (5) of the storm water. The metal capturing ballast unit (6) comprises a solid material for capturing metal and providing ballast.