Upflow Filtration System for Stormwater Nutrient Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storm water treatment systems, particularly filtration systems, face challenges with clogging due to debris, inefficiency in removing dissolved pollutants like phosphorus and nitrogen, and labor-intensive debris removal processes, which can lead to reduced water flow and flooding during heavy rain events.
Innovation Solution
An up-flow filtration system with a sloped floor and water sprayers that liquefies debris for easy vacuum removal, using filtration media that only requires backflushing during servicing and can accommodate different media types, reducing labor and maintenance costs, and allowing for servicing without entering the vault.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If filtration media is used to remove dissolved pollutants, then nutrient removal efficiency is improved, but friction between water and media increases causing reduced water flow
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static filtration media to a dynamic fluidized bed where media particles are suspended and moved upward by water flow. This dynamic state reduces friction between water and media while maintaining filtration efficiency, allowing high water flow volumes to pass through without significant pressure loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of filtration media from fixed to fluidized by adjusting water flow velocity. When flow velocity exceeds a threshold, media particles become suspended and fluidized, transforming the filtration mechanism from surface filtration to depth filtration with reduced resistance to water flow.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional filtration systems are used, then nutrient removal is achieved, but debris accumulates on the floor requiring labor-intensive removal
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a self-cleaning mechanism where water sprayers automatically flush debris from the floor and media bed. This self-service cleaning system eliminates the need for manual debris removal, significantly reducing maintenance labor while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cleaning actions by continuously or periodically spraying water to prevent debris accumulation. This preliminary action keeps the floor and media bed clear before maintenance is needed, reducing the frequency and intensity of manual intervention required.
3Manufacturing precision
If filtration media cartridges are used, then treatment is achieved, but cartridges must be removed during servicing increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the filtration media from enclosed cartridges and places it in an open fluidized bed configuration. This extraction eliminates the need to remove and replace entire cartridge assemblies during maintenance, simplifying service procedures while maintaining treatment effectiveness through the fluidized bed design.
4Productivity
If hydrodynamic separators are used, then large solids removal is improved, but dissolved pollutant removal is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functions of hydrodynamic separation and filtration by combining a separator chamber with a fluidized bed filtration system. Large solids are removed by hydrodynamic separation in the inlet chamber, while the fluidized bed media simultaneously removes dissolved pollutants, achieving both functions in a single integrated system.
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 removes nutrients, oils, phosphorus, and nitrogen to high clean levels, reduces clogging risks, and minimizes labor and maintenance costs by allowing for easy debris removal and media replacement, while maintaining high water flow efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the debris can be liquefied by water sprayers followed by being easily vacuum removed
Implementation Method 2
A vacuum can be positioned at the lower end of the sloped floor to remove the debris
Implementation Method 3
storm water flowing into the vault through an inlet passes into the void space and up through the screen and filtration media
Implementation Method 4
filtration media can be selected to remove specific dissolved pollutants such as nutrients, metals
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for providing nutrient removals in an up flow filtration storm water system for treating water to very high clean levels using filtration media. A filtration media can be supported by a screen above a floor in a vault allows for incoming storm water to pass into a void space above the floor into the screen and filtration media and then out an outlet to the vault. The filtration media can include recyclable and/or natural particles. Layers of river rocks can be placed on top of and below the filtration media. The captured debris can drop to the floor. The long lasting filtration media can be cleaned by being backwashed.