Storm Water Interceptor with Cascading Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storm water sewer systems face challenges in handling high volumes of water and efficiently separating oil and grit during heavy rainfall, as many oil/grit separators are not designed to accommodate large volumes, are difficult to install, and prone to pipe clogging due to debris, leading to increased pollution and maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A storm water interceptor system comprising multiple treatment tanks with specific conduit configurations, including input, lower, overflow, and output conduits with strategically placed orifices and inverted elbows, designed to manage high water volumes and separate debris and oils effectively, featuring modular and adaptable design for easy installation and reduced maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single large tank configuration is used, then the interceptor can handle high volumes of storm water, but it becomes cumbersome to install and requires expensive equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The interceptor is divided into multiple separate treatment tanks (first treatment tank, second treatment tank, third treatment tank) instead of using a single large tank. Each tank has a capacity of 0.5 to 2 cubic meters, making them manageable for installation with standard equipment while collectively providing the necessary 1 to 10 cubic meters capacity to handle high volumes of storm water during severe rainfalls
2Reliability
If traditional oil/grit separators are used, then they can separate oil and grit under normal conditions, but they allow storm water to bypass treatment during high flow volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic flow control mechanisms including overflow conduits with specific elevations and multiple conduit configurations (inlet conduit, outlet conduit, inter-tank conduits) that automatically adjust flow paths based on water volume. During high flow conditions, the system maintains treatment by routing excess water through available conduits while preventing bypass, adapting its operation to match the varying storm water volumes
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates specific elevation parameters for conduits and tanks (e.g., overflow conduit elevation higher than inlet conduit, inter-tank conduit elevations between tank levels) that change the flow dynamics based on water volume. These parameter changes allow the system to maintain separation efficiency across a wide range of flow conditions by optimizing the flow path and residence time in each tank
3Manufacturing precision
If screens or small conduits are used for filtering debris, then they can remove fine particles, but they become clogged by large debris causing water backup
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements different filtering approaches at different locations: the first treatment tank handles large debris removal at the inlet stage, while subsequent tanks handle finer separation. The conduits between tanks have specific elevation and diameter characteristics optimized for their location in the system, with inter-tank conduits designed to prevent clogging while maintaining separation efficiency at each stage
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 achieves improved storm water treatment quality, reduced construction and installation costs, increased adaptability, and efficient separation of oils and grit, with preliminary tests showing 90% separation of suspended solids and 50% separation of suspended oils, compared to prior art which often allows untreated water to bypass treatment during high volumes.
Implementation Method 1
A typical oil/grit separator unit operates by settling sediment and particulate matter
Implementation Method 2
separating free surface oils from storm water runoff
Data Source
AI summary
A storm water interceptor comprises an input conduit connected to a first treatment tank for delivering storm water to the first treatment tank and having an obvert elevation. Also, the interceptor comprises a lower conduit having an invert elevation, a substantially horizontal orifice at a first end connected to the first treatment tank and an exit orifice at an opposite end connected to a second treatment tank, whereby the substantially horizontal orifice at the first end of the lower conduit is below the invert elevation of the lower conduit. The interceptor further comprises an overflow conduit connecting the first treatment tank to the second treatment tank, whereby the overflow conduit is connected to the first treatment tank at a location above the obvert elevation of the input conduit. As well, there is an output conduit having a substantially horizontal orifice at a first end connected to the second treatment tank and an exit portion extending away from the second treatment tank, whereby an invert elevation of the output conduit is above an obvert elevation of the lower conduit, and whereby the substantially horizontal orifice at the first end of the output conduit is below the invert elevation of the output conduit. More than two treatment tanks may be connected in a cascading manner using the same general components and principles as an interceptor having two treatment tanks.