Stormwater Plug Flow Separator with Aligned Pipes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prior water flow management systems, such as the STORMGATE SEPARATOR™, suffer from turbulence and poor plug flow control due to non-aligned inlet and outlet pipes, leading to inefficient particulate separation and potential 'short circuiting' during high-flow conditions.

Innovation Solution

A plug flow separation system with a serpentine water path and aligned inlet and outlet pipes, featuring U-shaped plug flow conduits and baffle walls to optimize particulate capture and reduce turbulence, along with an internal high-flow bypass mechanism to manage excess stormwater.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If non-aligned inlet and outlet pipes are used (as in prior STORMGATE SEPARATOR), then the system can be simpler to manufacture, but turbulence increases and plug flow control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidplug flow control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by aligning the inlet and outlet pipes in the same direction rather than using non-aligned pipes. This inversion of the pipe arrangement resolves the technical contradiction by achieving both ease of manufacture (through standardized alignment) and reliable plug flow control (by eliminating turbulence caused by misalignment).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If non-aligned inlet and outlet pipes are used, then device complexity may be reduced, but turbulence and poor plug flow control occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidturbulence

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by ensuring that the inlet and outlet pipes are specifically aligned in the same direction at critical locations where flow control is needed. This localized alignment quality reduces turbulence and improves plug flow control without significantly increasing overall device complexity, as the alignment is achieved through straightforward structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If aligned inlet and outlet pipes are used, then plug flow control and separation efficiency improve, but the system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticulate separation efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the inlet and outlet pipe alignments into a unified directional arrangement, where both pipes are oriented in the same direction. This merging of alignment characteristics simplifies the overall structure while maintaining improved plug flow control and particulate separation efficiency, thereby achieving high reliability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional pipe alignment is used, then manufacturing is easier, but space utilization and flow efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidspace utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a serpentine water path that follows a curved or S-shaped trajectory through the separator chambers. This curved flow path maximizes the use of available space within the separator, allowing efficient particulate separation while maintaining a compact footprint. The serpentine path is easier to manufacture than complex three-dimensional configurations and improves space utilization compared to straight-line flow paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 efficient particulate and contaminant separation with reduced turbulence, minimizing carry-over of pollutants and allowing for effective handling of high-flow conditions without disturbing settled contaminants, thus improving the overall efficiency and space utilization of the separation process.

Implementation Method 1

settling of grit and heavy particulate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity settling: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

float oil and floatable particulate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS7892425B2Stormwater plug flow separation system

Publication Date: 2011.02.22 NEWTERRA CORP INC

AI summary

A water separation system includes a flow container includes a water inlet pipe; an inlet chamber in fluid communication with the water inlet pipe; a first settling chamber configured to settle grit and to float oil; an elevated, horizontally-oriented, elongate-rectangular water treatment flow inlet leading from the inlet chamber to the first settling chamber; a second settling chamber configured to settle solids; one or more plug flow conduits leading from the first settling chamber to the second settling chamber; an outlet chamber; an elevated treatment flow outlet disposed between the second settling chamber and the outlet chamber; a water outlet pipe in fluid communication with the outlet chamber; and an overflow mechanism disposed between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber.