Stormwater BMP Real-Time Control Valve Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stormwater best management practices (BMPs) face challenges in maximizing pollutant removal efficiency while ensuring proper drainage, often requiring conservative design approaches that may sacrifice efficiency to prevent system failure, and lack effective monitoring and data collection methods for compliance and performance assessment.
Innovation Solution
The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and real-time control (RTC) technologies in stormwater BMP systems, including permeable pavement and underdrain management, allows for optimized water storage and pollutant removal through sensors and control valves, enabling real-time monitoring and adjustment to enhance infiltration and compliance with regulatory standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conservative design approaches are used for stormwater BMPs, then system reliability is improved, but pollutant removal efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the underdrain system through real-time sensors and actuators that adjust drainage based on actual infiltration rates and stormwater conditions. This allows the system to optimize between reliability and efficiency by adapting to changing environmental conditions rather than relying on fixed conservative designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sensors to continuously monitor infiltration rates, water levels, and stormwater flow, providing feedback to a control system that adjusts the underdrain operation accordingly. This closed-loop control enables the system to achieve both reliable drainage and optimized pollutant removal based on actual performance data.
2Productivity
If real-time monitoring and control systems are added to stormwater BMPs, then pollutant removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated control system that monitors and adjusts the underdrain operation without requiring manual intervention. The sensors and actuators work autonomously to optimize pollutant removal based on real-time conditions, reducing the need for complex manual management while improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual monitoring and adjustment mechanisms with automated electronic sensors and control actuators. This substitution reduces operational complexity while improving measurement precision and response time, allowing the system to optimize performance without requiring complex manual systems.
3Productivity
If infiltration rates are increased to improve pollutant removal, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential drainage failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the underdrain operation based on real-time monitoring of infiltration rates and stormwater conditions. When infiltration is high, the system can close the underdrain to maximize pollutant removal through infiltration. When infiltration decreases or drainage is needed, the system opens the underdrain to maintain reliability, thus optimizing both productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the underdrain system based on measured infiltration rates and environmental conditions. By adjusting the underdrain opening/closing decisions based on real-time data, the system optimizes the balance between maximizing infiltration-based pollutant removal and ensuring reliable drainage when needed.
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
This approach maximizes pollutant removal efficiency, reduces infrastructure costs, and provides data for demonstrating compliance with environmental regulations, potentially reducing construction and maintenance needs while improving environmental outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
the water is removed from the BMP through a permeable substrate via infiltration into the surrounding soil
Implementation Method 2
out of the under drain, which is configured to allow for a continuous outflow of retained water
Data Source
AI summary
An active water storage infrastructure management facility that includes a stormwater BMP comprising a storage gallery for containing a volume of stormwater runoff, a drain system in fluid communication with the storage gallery, a liquid level sensor disposed in the storage gallery for measuring the volume of runoff water introduced into the storage gallery, a fluid flow sensor disposed on the drain system to measure a portion of the volume of runoff water exiting the drain system, and a real-time-control valve disposed proximate an outlet end of the drain system. The facility may also include a control system in electronic communication with the liquid level sensor, the fluid flow sensor, and the real-time-control valve. The facility may be used to control the outflow of runoff through the real-time-control valve so as to optimize the operation of the facility for a particular design capability.