Stormwater Sump Drag Assemblies for Vortex and Resuspension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storm water runoff management systems face challenges in effectively reducing particulates, as high vortex velocities can lead to turbulence and resuspension of settled particulates, reducing the efficiency of liquid quality devices.
Innovation Solution
A liquid quality system is installed in a containment structure, featuring a liquid quality device with a partitioning portion and a weir, along with drag-inducing assemblies that reduce vortex velocities and create a longer laminar flow path, using drag-inducing portions attached to supporting portions to slow down liquid flow and guide it away from the outlet, thereby enhancing particulate settlement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high vortex velocities are used in liquid quality devices, then particulates can be separated from liquid flow, but turbulence and resuspension of settled particulates occur, reducing removal efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid quality device is divided into multiple chambers with different flow characteristics. The first chamber creates a vortex for initial particulate separation, while the second chamber provides a calmer environment for settled particulates to remain undisturbed, thus preventing resuspension while maintaining separation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the device are designed with different flow velocities and turbulence characteristics. The vortex chamber has high velocity for separation, while the settlement chamber has low velocity to prevent resuspension, creating local quality variations that resolve the contradiction between separation efficiency and harm prevention
2Speed
If liquid flow velocity is increased to improve flow through the system, then processing speed increases, but particulate settlement time is reduced, lowering removal efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into a fast-flow vortex chamber for rapid initial separation and a slow-flow settlement chamber for thorough particulate deposition. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high processing speed and adequate settlement time by distributing different functions across different chambers
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimensional flow path to a multi-chamber three-dimensional structure, allowing flow velocity to vary across different spatial dimensions and chambers, thus enabling both rapid flow and adequate settlement time simultaneously
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 effectively reduces particulate resuspension and increases the time for particulates to settle, improving the overall efficiency of particulate removal from storm water runoff by controlling flow velocities and turbulence.
Implementation Method 1
drag-inducing portions that reduce vortex velocities
Implementation Method 2
increases the time for particulates to settle
Data Source
AI summary
A method for installing a liquid quality system into a containment structure, wherein the liquid quality system includes a liquid quality device and at least one drag-inducing assembly, wherein the at least one drag-inducing assembly includes at least one supporting portion and at least one drag-inducing portion, wherein when the liquid quality device is installed a sump region is formed below, is provided. The method may include mounting, at least partially in the sump region, the at least one supporting portion onto a sidewall of the containment structure. The method may also include attaching the at least one drag-inducing portion to the at least one supporting portion. The method may also include mounting the liquid quality device in the containment structure.