Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR FILTERING STORMVVATER
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a device and a method for filtering stormwater.
More specifically the present invention relates to a device and a method for
filtering stormwater inside a storm drain to remove pollutants from it.
Stormwater, which also is called urban runoff, is surface runoff of
rainwater, melted snow or ice, wash water or similar from different types of
surfaces. Such surfaces can be parking lots, sidewalks, roofs, and similar
surfaces, sometimes referred to as impervious surfaces. Water running off
from such surfaces tends to become polluted by e.g. gasoline, oil, heavy
metals, trash, fertilizers, pesticides and other pollutants. During rain these
surfaces carry polluted stormwater to storm drains. Storm drains can be
connected to a drainage system for discharge into receiving surface waters,
such as a canal, river, lake, reservoir, sea, ocean, or other surface water,
with
or without treatment of the stormwater before discharge.
Storm drains generally comprise a vertical pipe having an inlet, such as
a horizontal grated inlet or a side inlet, being connected to a drainage
system.
Such storm drains can comprise a catchbasin, also called sump or gully-pot,
for catching small objects, such as sediment, sand, gravel, pebbles, twigs,
trash and similar. Then, the catchbasin serves as a water-filled trap for
trapping objects and prevent such objects from entering the subsequent
drainage system. Such catchbasins also prevent gases from the drainage
system from escaping. Storm water from the top of the catchbasin drains into
the subsequent drainage system. The catchbasins can be emptied by means
of vacuum trucks at suitable time intervals.
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PRIOR ART
There are different types of devices for filtering stormwater in the prior
art. Such prior art devices, such as those disclosed in US 2005/230317A and
US 5 364 535 A, comprise a filter for positioning in a storm drain. However,
there is a need for an improved device for filtering stormwater inside a storm
drain to remove pollutants from it.
One problem with such prior art devices for filtering stormwater is that
they may be inefficient and do not remove pollutants satisfactorily.
Another problem with such prior art devices for filtering stormwater is
that it may be difficult to install them inside a storm drain and also to
remove
them from the storm drain, e.g. to be replaced.
One drawback with such prior art devices for filtering stormwater is that
they may impede the function of the storm drain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to avoid the drawbacks and
problems of the prior art devices. The device and method according to the
present invention result in a reliable and efficient filtering of stormwater
as
well as easy installation and replacement. In some embodiments, the present
invention results in a possibility to monitor the device in an efficient
manner.
The present invention relates to a device for filtering stormwater inside
a storm drain, wherein the device comprises a filter unit and a floating
carrier
for carrying the filter unit, wherein the filter unit comprises a bottom
portion
and a top portion, and wherein the carrier comprises a recess for receiving
the bottom portion of the filter unit, which recess extends axially through
the
carrier so that the filter unit can be arranged on top of the carrier while
the
bottom portion of the filter unit is arranged in the recess, whereby at least
a
part of the bottom portion of the filter unit is adapted to be arranged below
a
surface of the stormwater inside the storm drain when the device is arranged
in a floating condition inside the storm drain, and through apertures
extending
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radially from an outer surface of the carrier to the recess, so that
stormwater
can pass through the apertures and reach the recess when the device is
arranged in a floating condition inside the storm drain.
A major portion of the pollutants in stormwater is present at the surface
of the stormwater inside the storm drain, also sometimes called the surface
film. A part of the bottom portion of the filter unit, when the device is
arranged
in a floating condition in a storm drain, is arranged at the surface by means
of
the floating carrier. Further, the apertures in the floating carrier result in
that
stormwater at said surface may engage the bottom portion of the filter unit to
remove pollutants accumulated at the surface of the stormwater. Further, the
structure of the device results in easy installation of the device and easy
replacement of the filter unit. For example, the filter unit is detachable
from
the carrier, wherein the filter unit may be replaced and the carrier may be
reused.
The top portion of the filter unit may be formed with an inclined surface,
e.g. by the filter unit being tapered or cone shaped, for guiding non-
filterable
objects to the surface of the stormwater inside the storm drain. When non-
filterable objects, such as twigs, trash, sand and similar, fall through the
storm
drain it will then hit the inclined surface and continue along therewith to
the
surface of stormwater and then continue further to a catchbasin in the storm
drain. Hence, non-filterable objects are prevented from accumulating on top
of the filter unit to impede its function.
The filter unit may comprise a plurality of different filter layers. For
example, the filter unit may comprise one or more of an absorbing material, a
heavy metal filtering peat and activated carbon. The filter unit may comprise
a
first filter layer including a first absorbing material, a second filter layer
including heavy metal filtering peat, a third filter layer including activated
carbon and a fourth filter layer including a second absorbing material, which
layers may be arranged in sequence or contiguous sequence. The first filter
unit may be arranged at the top and the fourth filter unit may be arranged at
the bottom. The fourth filter layer may be least partially arranged in the
bottom
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portion of the filter unit. Hence, the filter unit is arranged for efficient
and
reliable filtering of pollutants from stormwater.
The floating carrier may be made of a light-weight material for good
floating capabilities. For example, the carrier may be made of expanded
plastic, such as expanded polystyrene.
The device may be narrower than the storm drain in which it is intended
to be arranged, thereby allowing formation of a gap between the device and
an interior wall of the storm drain.
The device may comprise a sensor for monitoring the status of the
device and the pollutants in the storm drain. For this purpose, the device may
comprise an RFID transponder having an ID-number and a pressure sensor
for monitoring the depth of the device in the stormwater and thus the weight
of the device, from which the amount of collected pollutants may be
calculated. Also unexpected events resulting in sudden heavy pollution of a
storm drain may be detected.
According to aother aspect, the invention also relates to a method of
filtering stormwater in a storm drain, including the steps of
a) providing a filter unit having a bottom portion and a top portion,
b) providing a floating carrier having a recess extending axially through
the carrier so that the filter unit may be arranged on top of the carrier
while
the bottom portion of the filter unit is arranged in the recess and through
apertures extending radially from an outer surface of the carrier to the
recess,
c),arranging the bottom portion of the filter unit in the recess of the
carrier,
d) arranging the carrier and the filter unit in the storm drain, so that at
least a part of the bottom portion of the filter unit is arranged below a
surface
of the storm water inside the storm drain and at least a part of the top
portion
is arranged above said surface,
e) providing stormwater to the bottom portion of the filter unit through
the apertures of the carrier, and
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f) by means of the top portion of the filter unit, receiving at least a major
part of
any stormwater entering the storm drain.
In some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a device for filtering
stormwater inside a storm drain, wherein the device comprises a filter unit
and a floating
5 carrier for carrying the filter unit, wherein the filter unit comprises a
bottom portion and a
top portion, wherein the filter unit comprises an absorbing material, a heavy
metal
filtering peat and activated carbon, wherein the carrier comprises a recess
for receiving
the bottom portion of the filter unit, which recess extends axially through
the carrier so
that the filter unit can be arranged on top of the carrier while the bottom
portion of the
filter unit is be arranged in the recess, whereby at least a part of the
bottom portion of the
filter unit is adapted to be arranged below a surface of the stormwater inside
the storm
drain when the device is arranged in a floating condition inside the storm
drain; and
through apertures extending radially from an outer surface of the carrier to
the recess, so
that stormwater at the surface can pass through the apertures and reach the
bottom
portion of the filter unit when the device is arranged in a floating condition
inside the
storm drain.
In some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method of filtering
stormwater in a storm drain, including the steps of a) providing a filter unit
having a
bottom portion and a top portion, and comprising an absorbing material, a
heavy metal
filtering peat and activated carbon, b) providing a floating carrier having a
recess
extending axially through the carrier so that the filter unit can be arranged
on top of
the carrier while the bottom portion of the filter unit is arranged in the
recess; and
through apertures extending radially from an outer surface of the carrier to
the recess,
c) arranging the bottom portion of the filter unit in the recess of the
carrier, d) arranging
the carrier and the filter unit in the storm drain, so that at least a part of
the bottom
portion of the filter unit is arranged below a surface of the storm water
inside the storm
drain and at least a part of the top portion is arranged above said surface,
e) providing
stormwater to the bottom portion of the filter unit through the apertures of
the carrier, and
f) by means of the top portion of the filter unit, receiving at least a major
part of any
stormwater entering the storm drain.
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Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from the description of the embodiments below, the appended drawings
and
the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described more in detail with the aid of embodiments
and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a device for filtering stormwater in
accordance with one
embodiment of the invention, wherein the device is installed in a storm drain,
Fig. 2 is a schematic section view the device in Fig. 1, wherein a filter
unit and a
floating carrier of the device have been separated from each other, and
Fig. 3 is a schematic section view of the device according to one
embodiment,
wherein the device is partially immersed in stormwater.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In Fig. 1 a device 10 for filtering stormwater according to one embodiment of
the present invention is illustrated schematically. In Fig. 1 the device 10 is
arranged
in a storm drain 11 having an inlet 12 for incoming storm water, an outlet 13
for
discharging storm water, and a catch basin 14 for trapping objects, such as
sediment,
sand, gravel, pebbles, twigs, trash and similar. Hence, the device 10 is
arranged for
filtering stormwater inside the storm drain 11 to remove pollutants from the
storm
water before discharge from the storm drain 11. The storm drain 11 according
to
Fig. 1 comprises an outlet pipe 15 forming a water trap in a conventional
manner.
The storm drain 11 is arranged in a vertical direction and extends axially,
wherein
the outlet pipe 15 extends radially. A portion of the outlet pipe 15 extends
upwards,
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wherein the water seals the inlet 12 of the storm drain 11 from the outlet 13.
In Fig. 1, the surface of the water inside the storm drain 11 is indicated by
the
dashed line A. Alternatively, the storm drain 11 is arranged without a water
trap. The outlet 13 is connected to a subsequent drain system 16, such as a
sewer or similar.
The device 10 comprises a filter unit 17 and a floating carrier 18 for
carrying the filter unit 17. The filter unit 17 is arranged for filtering the
stormwater to remove pollutants therefrom. The filter unit 17 is arranged on
top of the carrier 18, so that the filter unit 17 is arranged between the
inlet 12
of the storm drain 11 and the carrier 18. The carrier 18 is arranged between
the filter unit 17 and the catchbasin 14 or the bottom of the storm drain 11.
The device 10 is arranged to form a gap 19 between the device 10 and
an interior wall 20 of the storm drain 11. The gap 19 is arranged so that non-
filterable objects, such as sediment, sand, gravel, pebbles, twigs, trash and
similar can pass by the device 1010 the catchbasin 14. Hence, the device 10
is arranged to cover less than 100% of the cross section area of the storm
drain. For example, the device 10 is arranged to cover 50-90% or 70-80% of
the cross section area of the storm drain to form a suitable gap 19. For
example, the filter unit 17 is arranged is arranged to cover 50-90% or 70-80%
of the cross section area of the storm drain.
With reference also to Figs. 2 and 3 the filter unit 17 comprises a
bottom portion 21 and a top portion 22. The bottom portion 21 is arranged to
engage the surface A of the stormwater inside the storm drain 11 to remove
pollutants at the surface or in a surface film. For example, the bottom
portion
21 is arranged to be at least partially submerged in the stormwater inside the
storm drain 11, i.e. at least a portion of the bottom portion 21 is arranged
to
be below the surface A of the stormwater inside the storm drain 11. The top
portion 22 is arranged to be above the surface A. For example, the bottom
portion 21 is bevelled and more narrow in its lowermost part.
The filter unit 17 comprises an inclined surface 23 for guiding non-
filterable objects to the gap 19. For example, the top portion 22 of the
filter
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unit 17 comprises the inclined surface 23 for guiding non-filterable objects
to
the surface of the stormwater inside the storm drain. According to the
embodiment of the drawings the top portion 22 of the filter unit 17 is
tapered,
wherein an apex is arranged upwards in a direction towards the inlet 12 of the
storm drain 11 and away from the carrier 18, so that the inclined surface 23
extends between the apex and the widest portion of the device to guide
objects along the inclined surface 23 to the gap 19. For example, the filter
unit
17 is arranged as a cone. The bottom portion 21 of the filter unit 17 is
arranged narrower than the widest portion of the top portion 22 thereof.
The filter unit 17 is arranged for filtering different types of pollutants
from the stormwater. According to one embodiment the filter unit comprises a
plurality of filter layers, such as a first filter layer 24 including a first
absorbing
material, a second filter layer 25 including heavy metal filtering peat, a
third
filter layer 26 including activated carbon and a fourth filter layer 27
including a
second absorbing material, Optionally, the filter unit comprises additional
filtering layers. For example, said filter layers 24-27 are arranged in
sequence, such as contiguous sequence, from the top to the bottom, so that
the first filter layer 24 is arranged in the top portion 22 of the filter unit
17 in a
direction towards the inlet 12 of the storm drain 11 and so that the fourth
filter
layer 27 at least partially is arranged in the bottom portion 21 of the filter
unit
17 in a direction towards the carrier 18. For example, the first absorbing
material of the first filter layer 24 comprises a material having capillaries,
wherein the stormwater enters said capillaries by capillary force. For
example,
the absorbing material of the first filter layer 24 is arranged to absorb 10-
20 or
18 times of its own weight. According to one embodiment, the absorbing
material of the first filter layer 24 is arranged so that the capillaries are
closed
when they are full. For example, the absorbing material of the first filter
layer
24 is a synthetic fibre, such as a granular synthetic fibre. For example, the
absorbing material of the first filter layer 24 complies with the requirements
set out in table 1 below.
c)
N)
co
co
N)
co
L.)
7...i
N) Page 8a, Table 1
co 1- _
cp
Product Rating Product Rating
Product Rating
N)
c) 20'C 600 20'C 60'C
20'C 60'C
1-, Acids Bases Organic
Substances, Solvents
to
i Benzoic acid 1 2 Aqua ammonia 1 1
Acetone 3 4
c)
0. Boric acid 1 1 Calciumhydroxide 1 1
Aniline 1 1
i Hydrobromic acid 25% 2 3
Potassiumhydroxide 1 1 Benzol 3 4
1-`
l=) Citric acid 1 1 Caustic soda 1 1
Petrol 4 4
Hydrocyanic acid 2 2 Acid salt 1 1
Butyl alcohol 1 1
Hydrofluoric acid 2 2 Basic salt 1 1
Ethyl acetate 2 4
Phosphoric acid 25% 1 1 Neutral salt 1 1
Ethyl alcohol 1 1
Phosphoric acid 85% 1 1 Various salt
Ethyl dichloride 3 4
Phthalic acid 1 1 Potassium bicarbonate 1 2
Ethyl ether 4 4
Tannic acid 1 1 Potassium permanganate 1 2
Phenol 2 2
Chromic acid 1 2 Sodium cyanide 1 1
Formalin 37% 1 2
Maleic acid 1 1 Natriumferricyanid 1 2
Heptanes 3 4
Oleic acid 2 3 Sodium hypochlorite 2 3
Chlorobenzene 3 4
Oxalic acid 1 1
Chloroform 4 4 co
Nitric acid 5% 2 3
Carbon disulphide 4 4
Nitric acid 65% 4 4
Carbon tetrachloride 4 4
Chlorhydric acid 10% 1 1
Methyl alcohol 1 1
Chlorhydric acid 37% 2 3
Methylene (di)chloride 4 4
Butyric acid 1 1
Methyl ethyle ketone 3 4
Sulphuric acid 10% 1 1
Nitrobenzene 3 4
Sulphuric acid 78% 2 4
Toluene 3 4
Sulphuric acid 93% 3 4
Trichlorethylene 4 4 _
Tartaric acid 1 1
Gases
Acetic acid 10% 1 1
Chlorine (damp) 2 4
Acetic acid 50% 1 1
Chlorine (dry) 2 4
Acetic acid 75% 1 1 Excellent (no attadk) 1
Carbon dioxide 1 1
Acetic acid 100% 2 3 Good (no significant attack) 2
Carbon monoxide 1 1
Perchloric add 1 2 Acceptable (light attack, limited
use) 3 Sulphur dioxide (damp) 2 3
Unacceptable (significant attack) 4
Sulphur dioxide (dry) 2 3
Inferior (possible cracking or dissolving) 5
Hydrogen sulphide 1 1
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8a
The second filtering layer 25 comprises, for example, a heavy metal
filtering peat in the form of granules. For example, the second filtering
layer
25 is arranged for removing heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, cadmium,
etc., from the stormwater.
The third filter layer 26 is arranged to remove pollutants remaining in
the stormwater after having passed the first and second filter 24, 25.
According to one embodiment, the activated carbon of the third layer 26 is
formed as granules. For example, the activated carbon of the third layer 26 is
formed as granules having a particle size of 1-10 mm, 2-7 mm or 3-5 mm. For
example, the active carbon is a conventional active carbon for water
treatment.
The fourth filter layer 27 is arranged for removing pollutants at the
surface A of the stormwater inside the storm drain. Hence, the fourth filter
layer 27 is arranged to be at the surface A, wherein a portion of the fourth
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filter layer 27 is submerged in the stormwater. According to one embodiment,
the fourth filter layer 27 comprises an absorbing material of a similar type
as
the first filter layer 24, e.g. complying with the requirements set out in
table 1
above. For example the absorbing material of the fourth filter layer is a
.. synthetic fibre felt or fleece.
The filter unit 17 comprises, for example, a cover forming a stormwater
permeable housing. For example, the cover is a perforated plastic cover,
wherein the perforations have a diameter of 0.1-5 mm, 0.5-2 mm or about 1
mm. The cover is not disclosed in the drawings.
The carrier 18 is arranged for carrying the filter unit 17, so that the top
portion 22 of the filter unit 17 is arranged above the surface A of the
stormwater inside the storm drain 11 and at least a part of the bottom portion
21 of the filter unit 17 is arranged below said surface A. For example, the
carrier 18 is arranged in a floating material, i.e. a material having less
density
than water, such as an expanded plastic material. For example, the carrier 18
is formed in expanded polystyrene.
The carrier 18 comprises a recess 28 for receiving the bottom portion
21 of the filter unit 17. The recess 28 extends axially through the carrier
18,
so that the filter unit 17 can be arranged on top of the carrier 18 while the
bottom portion 21 is arranged in the recess 28. When arranged in a storm
drain lithe device 19 is floating, wherein the filter unit 17 is arranged to
engage incoming stormwater, which is illustrated by means of the arrows B in
Fig. 3. For example, the top portion 22 of the filter unit 17 is primarily
arranged to engage incoming stormwater B falling substantially in a vertical
.. direction. When incoming stormwater come into contact with the filter unit
17
non-filterable objects are guided by the shape of the filter unit 17 to the
gap
19 and the surface A of the stormwater in the gap 19. The filterable part of
the
stormwater is filtered by the filter unit 17. For example, a main part of
incoming stormwater B initially engages the first filter layer 24, wherein
stormwater passing the first filter layer 24 then engages the second filter
layer
25 and subsequently the third and fourth filter layers 26, 27.
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According to the illustrated embodiment the recess 28 is optionally
bevelled and wider in its top to guide the bottom portion 21 into the recess
28
and facilitate assembly of the device 10. For example, the carrier 18 is
provided with an optional flange 29 forming a wider top of the carrier 18 to
5 support the filter unit 17.
The carrier 18 comprises through apertures 30 for conducting
stormwater into the recess 28 and into contact with the bottom portion 21 of
the filter unit 17 for removal of pollutants in the stormwater at the surface
A.
The apertures 30 extend radially from an outer surface of the carrier 18 to
the
10 recess 28. Hence, when the device 10 is arranged in a storm drain lithe
carrier 18 is partially submerged in the stormwater and thus positioned below
the surface A, wherein at least a part of the recess 28 and at least some of
the apertures 30 are located below the surface A of the stormwater inside the
storm drain 11. Then, at least a part of the bottom portion 21 of the filter
unit
17, i.e. at least a part of the fourth filter layer 27, is arranged in the
recess 28
and below the surface A. Consequently, stormwater at the surface A is
conducted radially through the apertures 30, which is illustrated by the
arrows
C. The radially conducted stormwater C is conducted into the recess 28 and
into contact with the filter unit 17 for removing pollutants in the
stormwater.
For example, the stormwater C is conducted to the fourth filter layer 27 in
the
bottom portion 21 of the filter unit 17, so that pollutants on the surface A
or
close to the surface A engages the filter unit 17 and are removed by it.
According to one embodiment of the invention the device 10 comprises
a sensor 31 for detecting the filter capacity of the filter unit 17. For
example,
the sensor 31 is a pressure sensitive sensor for detecting the surrounding
pressure. The sensor 31 is arranged below the surface A of the stormwater
inside the storm drain 11. Said pressure is readily calculated to obtain the
depth of the device 10 in the stormwater, wherein a change in the depth of
the device 10 can be calculated Said depth corresponds to the weight of the
device 10, wherein the added weight, i.e. the weight of filtered material in
the
filter unit 17, is calculated Said weight is compared to the total weight
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capacity of the filter unit 17, wherein the remaining filter capacity is
calculated.
The senor 31 is, for example, connected to a central monitoring unit for
monitoring a plurality of devices 10 arranged in different storm drains 11.
According to one embodiment, the sensor 31 is included in an RFID
transponder having an ID-number and the pressure sensor to detect the
weight of the device and send a signal to the central monitoring unit when a
predetermined weight has been exceeded or a sudden weight change has
been detected. When a predetermined weight of the device 10 has been
exceeded it can indicate that the filter unit 17 is full and needs to be
replaced.
The detection of a sudden weight change can indicate a substantial and local
discharge of pollutants, which can be related to an event, such as a traffic
accident or any other event.
