U.S. patent application number 11/109562 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-20 for watershed runoff drainage device & method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Environmental Equipment Service Corp.. Invention is credited to Barth, Glenn W., Belasco, David.
Application Number | 20050230317 11/109562 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35095186 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050230317 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Belasco, David ; et
al. |
October 20, 2005 |
Watershed runoff drainage device & method
Abstract
A watershed runoff drainage device is adapted to be used with a
drain inlet vault for a storm drain. It includes a funnel member to
be inserted into an inlet of the vault for directing substantially
all water runoff entering the vault to flow there through prior to
entering the vault. A floating hydrocarbon collector is positioned
inside or outside the funnel member, and deflectors and other means
within the vault inhibit the growth of mosquito larvae and the like
within the vault and inhibit any mosquitoes within the vault from
escaping the vault.
Inventors: |
Belasco, David; (Anaheim,
CA) ; Barth, Glenn W.; (Santa Ana, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CONNORS ASSOCIATES
1600 DOVE ST
SUITE 220
NEWPORT BEACH
CA
92660
|
Assignee: |
Environmental Equipment Service
Corp.
|
Family ID: |
35095186 |
Appl. No.: |
11/109562 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60563862 |
Apr 20, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/691 ;
210/163; 210/242.2; 210/806 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03F 5/0404 20130101;
E03F 1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/691 ;
210/806; 210/163; 210/242.2 |
International
Class: |
E03F 005/14 |
Claims
1. A watershed runoff drainage device adapted to be used with a
drain inlet vault for a storm drain, said drainage device including
a funnel member adapted to be inserted into an inlet of the vault
so that water runoff flows through the funnel member prior to
entering the vault, said funnel member having an entry end and an
exit end with water runoff first flowing into the entry end,
through the funnel member, and out the exit end, a housing detached
from the funnel member and adapted to be mounted within the vault
downstream of the inlet of the vault, said housing including an
open top end that receives the exit end of the funnel member, an
open bottom end that is upstream of an outlet of the vault, and a
sidewall connecting said top and bottom ends to form a retention
chamber in which water runoff flowing into the housing from the
funnel member is confined for a predetermined period to enable at
least a portion of any solid material in the water runoff to
collect within the retention chamber, said sidewall having
predetermined dimensions so said housing upon being mounted within
the vault is separated from a sidewall of the vault to provide a
space between the sidewall of the housing and the sidewall of the
vault, said sidewall of the housing having an upper edge defining
said open top end that functions as a weir enabling at least some
water runoff within the retention chamber to flow over said upper
edge, along said space, and out the outlet of the vault, and a
drain assembly at the bottom end of the housing including a filter
element that retains solid material collected within the retention
chamber, said funnel member having a cross-sectional configuration
with a predetermined area and said housing having a predetermined
cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area that is
greater than said predetermined area of the funnel member so that
the velocity of water runoff decreases as said water runoff flows
from the funnel member into the housing.
2. The drainage device of claim 1 including at least one
hydrocarbon collection member within the funnel member that floats
on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and
moves up and down within the funnel member as the position of the
surface of the water runoff changes.
3. The drainage device of claim 2 where the hydrocarbon collection
member comprises a plurality of porous pockets, each pocket
containing a removable hydrocarbon absorbing material that is
replaceable when saturated with hydrocarbon.
4. The drainage device of claim 2 where the predetermined
cross-sectional area of the funnel member is substantially
rectangular and the hydrocarbon collection member substantially
fills said rectangular cross-sectional area of the funnel member as
the water runoff fills at least partially the funnel member.
5. The drainage device of claim 2 including a guide member that
interacts with the hydrocarbon collection member to direct the
movement of said collection member along a predetermined
substantially vertical path within the funnel member.
6. The drainage device of claim 1 including at least one
hydrocarbon collection member mounted to pivot near the open bottom
end of the housing.
7. The drainage device of claim 1 includes a hydrocarbon spill
shut-off mechanism that in response to a high concentration of
hydrocarbon liquid flowing into the device prevents the outflow of
the hydrocarbon liquid from the device.
8. The drainage device of claim 7 where the hydrocarbon spill
shut-off mechanism is located in the drain assembly and includes a
passageway into which flows at least a portion of the high
concentration of hydrocarbon liquid, said passageway being filled
with a material that absorbs said hydrocarbon liquid and blocks
said passageway to prevent the outflow from the device of the
hydrocarbon liquid.
9. The drainage device of claim 1 where the filter element is
oriented substantially horizontal.
10. The drainage device of claim 1 where the drain assembly is
connected to the bottom end of the housing and sealed thereto so
that at least some of the water runoff within the retention chamber
flows through the drain assembly prior to flowing from the outlet
of the vault.
11. A watershed runoff drainage device adapted to be used with a
drain inlet vault for a storm drain, said drainage device including
a funnel member adapted to be inserted longitudinally into an inlet
of the vault so that substantially all water runoff entering the
vault flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault,
said funnel member having an entry end and an exit end with the
water runoff first flowing into the entry end, through the funnel
member, and out the exit end, and at least one hydrocarbon
collection member positioned within the funnel member that floats
on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member, said
hydrocarbon collection member being mounted to move longitudinally
while floating on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel
member and being retained within the funnel member as the position
of said surface changes.
12. The drainage device of claim 11 including a drain assembly
downstream of the exit end of the funnel member and upstream of an
outlet of the vault, said drain assembly including a filter element
that retains at least some of any solid material within the water
runoff flowing through the funnel member
13. The drainage device of claim 12 where, upon installation of the
device in the vault, the filter element is substantially vertically
oriented and situated between an exterior wall of the funnel member
and a sidewall of the vault.
14. The drainage device of claim 12 where the filter element is
oriented substantially horizontal.
15. The drainage device of claim 14 including a weir member
substantially at a right angle to the horizontal filter element and
situated between an exterior wall of the funnel member and a
sidewall of the vault.
16. The drainage device of claim 11 where, upon installation of the
device in the vault, an exterior wall of the funnel member and a
sidewall of the vault form a space in which a deflector member is
positioned between the inlet of the vault and the exit end of the
funnel member.
17. The drainage device of claim 11 including a metals collection
member.
18. The drainage device of claim 17 where, upon installation of the
device in the vault, an exterior wall of the funnel member and a
sidewall of the vault form a space in which the metals collection
member is positioned so that the water runoff flows through the
metals collection member prior to exiting an outlet of the
vault.
19. The drainage device of claim 11 including a water pump adapted
to remove any standing water within the vault.
20. The drainage device of claim 19 where the water pump is an
electric battery powered pump.
21. The drainage device of claim 19 where the water pump is a
running-water powered pump.
22. The drainage device of claim 11 where the funnel member
includes an anti-freezing mechanism that inhibits freezing of the
water runoff in the funnel member, said anti-freezing mechanism
comprising an opening in a sidewall of the funnel member that is
normally closed by a closure member that opens when the water
runoff in the funnel member freezes to block the exit end of the
funnel member, thereby by allowing water runoff to flow through the
opening and bypass the exit end.
23. In combination, a bottom exit drain inlet vault for a storm
drain and a watershed runoff drainage device, where the vault is
lodged at least partially below ground level and comprises vertical
walls substantially at right angles to form a cavity having a
rectangular cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined
area, said cavity having at or near ground level an open top inlet
with predetermined dimensions, a bottom below ground level with an
outlet thereat extending through one vertical wall so that
substantially all runoff water entering the vault flows from the
vault to a storm drain, substantially avoiding standing water
within the vault, and a removable grating member covering the
inlet, and the watershed runoff drainage device comprises a funnel
member having an elongated body including a sidewall having a
rectangular cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area
that is less than the area of the vault, an exit end below ground
level and upstream of the outlet of the vault, and an enlarged
entry end including a lip member having dimensions substantially
the same as the dimensions of the inlet of the vault that is seated
between the grating member and upper edges of the vertical walls so
that water runoff flows through the funnel member prior to entering
the vault, and downstream of the funnel member a housing forming a
retention chamber in which water runoff flowing into the housing
from the funnel member is confined for a predetermined period to
enable at least a portion of any solid material in the water runoff
to collect within the retention chamber, said housing comprising a
body with a substantially rectangular cross-sectional configuration
of a predetermined area that is less than the area of the cavity,
an open top end that receives the exit end of the funnel member,
and an open bottom end that is upstream of the outlet of the vault,
said housing being within the cavity and connected to at least one
vertical wall to provide a space between the housing and the one
vertical wall, said predetermined area of the housing being greater
than said predetermined area of the funnel member so that the
velocity of water runoff decreases as said water runoff flows from
the funnel member into the housing.
24. The combination of claim 23 including a drain assembly at the
bottom end of the housing including a filter element that retains
solid material collected within the retention chamber.
25. The combination of claim 23 including at least one hydrocarbon
collection member within the funnel member that floats on the
surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and moves up
and down within the funnel member as the position of the surface of
the water runoff changes.
26. The combination of claim 25 including a guide member that
interacts with the hydrocarbon collection member to direct the
movement of said collection member along a predetermined
substantially vertical path within the funnel member.
27. The combination of claim 25 where the hydrocarbon collection
member is flexible and folds and unfolds in response to water
runoff flowing through the funnel member.
28. The combination of claim 23 including a hydrocarbon spill
shut-off mechanism that in response to a high concentration of
hydrocarbon liquid flowing into the device prevents the outflow of
the hydrocarbon liquid from the device.
29. The combination of claim 23 with the bottom of the vault is
open and in communication with a bed of gravel and a filter element
is at said open bottom,
30. In combination, a side exit drain inlet vault for a storm drain
and a watershed runoff drainage device, where the vault is lodged
at least partially below ground level and comprises vertical walls
substantially at right angles to form a cavity having a rectangular
cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area, said
cavity having at or near ground level an open top inlet with
predetermined dimensions, a bottom below ground level, and an
outlet above the bottom that extends through one vertical wall so
that some of the runoff water entering the vault remains within the
cavity, and a removable grating member covering the inlet, the
watershed runoff drainage device comprises a funnel member having
an elongated body including a sidewall having a rectangular
cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area that is
less than the area of the vault, an exit end below ground level and
upstream of the outlet of the vault, and an enlarged entry end
including a lip member having dimensions substantially the same as
the dimensions of the inlet of the vault that is seated between the
grating member and upper edges of the vertical walls so that water
runoff flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault,
and at least one hydrocarbon collection member within the body of
the funnel member that floats on the surface of the water runoff
within the funnel member and moves up and down within the funnel
member as the position of the surface of the water runoff
changes.
31. The combination of claim 30 including a closure member at the
outlet that includes a buoyant door that is closed until the
surface of the water runoff in the vault reaches the door and
causes said door to open as the door floats on the surface of the
runoff water.
32. The combination of claim 31 including a filter element
positioned nearby the outlet of the vault so that the runoff water
flows through the filter element prior to flowing into the
outlet.
33. The combination of claim 32 where the door is mounted by a
hinge and is above the filter element.
34. The combination of claim 33 where there is sufficient clearance
between the open door and the grating member to enable runoff water
to flow into the outlet.
35. The combination of claim 30 including a water pump adapted to
remove any standing water within the vault.
36. The combination of claim 30 where the water pump is an electric
battery powered pump.
37. The combination of claim 30 where the water pump is a
running-water powered pump.
38. The combination of claim 30 where the funnel member includes an
anti-freezing mechanism that inhibits freezing of the water runoff
in the funnel member, said anti-freezing mechanism comprising an
opening in a sidewall of the funnel member that is normally closed
by a closure member that opens when the water runoff in the funnel
member freezes to block the exit end of the funnel member, thereby
by allowing water runoff to flow through the opening and bypass the
exit end.
39. In combination, a drain inlet vault for a storm drain and a
watershed runoff drainage device, where the vault is lodged at
least partially below ground level and comprises a cavity having a
cross-section configuration of a predetermined area, an inlet at or
near ground level, and an outlet below ground level in
communication with a storm drain, the watershed runoff drainage
device is positioned within the cavity and comprises a funnel
member having an elongated body having a cross-sectional
configuration of a predetermined area that is less than the area of
the cavity, an exit end below ground level and upstream of the
outlet of the vault, and an entry end seated at the inlet of the
vault so that water runoff flows through the funnel member prior to
entering the vault, and at least one hydrocarbon collection member
within the body of the funnel member that floats on the surface of
the water runoff within the funnel member and moves up and down
within the funnel member as the position of the surface of the
water runoff changes.
40. The combination of claim 39 including a guide member that
interacts with the hydrocarbon collection member to direct the
movement of said collection member along a predetermined
substantially vertical path within the funnel member.
41. The combination of claim 39 where the hydrocarbon collection
member is flexible and folds and unfolds in response to water
runoff flowing through the funnel member.
42. The combination of claim 39 where the hydrocarbon collection
member comprises a plurality of porous pockets, each pocket
containing a removable hydrocarbon absorbing material that is
replaceable when saturated with hydrocarbon.
43. The combination of claim 39 where the hydrocarbon collection
member substantially fills said cross-sectional area of the funnel
member as the water runoff fills at least partially the funnel
member.
44. A watershed runoff drainage device adapted to be used with a
drain inlet vault for a storm drain, said drainage device including
means adapted to be inserted into an inlet of the vault for
directing substantially all water runoff entering the vault to flow
there through prior to entering the vault, means positioned within
the directing means that floats on the surface of the water runoff
within said directing means for collecting hydrocarbon, and means
adapted to be positioned within the vault for inhibiting the growth
mosquito larvae and the like within the vault and for inhibiting
any mosquitoes within the vault from escaping the vault.
45. A device for treating water runoff from a watershed as it flows
through a drain inlet vault to a storm drain to remove suspended
solids and hydrocarbons from the water runoff, said device
including a funnel member adapted to be inserted into an inlet of
the vault that is sized and configured so that the water runoff
first flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault
and is retained in the vault a sufficient period of time to allow
at least some of the suspended solids to settle within the vault,
and a buoyant hydrocarbon collection member that floats on the
surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and moves up
and down within the funnel member as the position of the surface of
the water runoff changes.
46. A device for treating water runoff from a watershed as it flows
through a drain inlet vault to a storm drain to remove suspended
solids, said device including a funnel member adapted to be
inserted into an inlet of the vault that is sized and configured so
that the water runoff first flows through the funnel member prior
to entering the vault, and a housing adapted to be mounted within
the vault that forms a retention chamber in which water runoff
flowing into the housing from the funnel member is confined for a
predetermined period to enable at least a portion of any solid
material in the water runoff to collect within the retention
chamber, said housing including a sidewall adapted to be positioned
within the vault to provide a space between the sidewall of the
housing and a sidewall of the vault, said sidewall of the housing
functioning as a weir enabling at least some water runoff within
the retention chamber to flow over said sidewall of the housing
into said space and out an outlet of the vault, said funnel member
having a cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area
and said housing having a predetermined cross-sectional
configuration with a predetermined area that is greater than said
predetermined area of the funnel member so that the velocity of
water runoff decreases as said water runoff flows from the funnel
member into the housing.
47. The device of claim 46 including a drain assembly at an open
bottom end of the housing including a filter element that retains
solid material collected within the retention chamber,
48. A method of treating water runoff from a watershed as it flows
through a drain inlet vault in communication with a storm drain to
remove suspended solids and hydrocarbons from the water runoff,
said method including the steps of inserting a funnel member in an
inlet of the vault that is sized and configured so that the water
runoff first flows through the funnel member prior to entering the
vault and is retained in the vault a sufficient period of time to
allow at least some of the suspended solids to settle within the
vault, and providing a buoyant hydrocarbon collection member that
floats on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member
and moves up and down within the funnel member as the position of
the surface of the water runoff changes.
49. The method of claim 48 where the funnel member includes a guide
member that interacts with the hydrocarbon collection member to
direct the movement of said collection member along a predetermined
substantially vertical path within the funnel member.
50. The method of claim 48 where the hydrocarbon collection member
is flexible and folds and unfolds in response to water runoff
flowing through the funnel member.
51. The method of claim 48 where the hydrocarbon collection member
comprises a plurality of porous pockets, each pocket containing a
removable hydrocarbon absorbing material that is replaceable when
saturated with hydrocarbon.
52. The method of claim 48 where the hydrocarbon collection member
covers substantially the entire surface area of the water runoff
within the funnel member.
53. The method of claim 48 where a metals collection member is
inserted into the vault upstream of an outlet of the vault.
54. The method of claim 48 where a filter is positioned with in the
vault to retain suspended solids as the runoff water flows through
the vault.
55. The method of claim 48 where visual inspection enables an
inspector to determine that any standing water runoff disappears
within a predetermined time period.
56. The method of claim 55 where the device is cleaned when the
standing water runoff has not disappeared within said predetermined
time period.
57. The method of claim 48 including a replaceable filter element
positioned downstream of the funnel member that is periodically
removed and replaced, said removed filter element being backwashed
into the drain inlet vault.
58. The method of claim 48 where the hydrocarbon collection member
includes at least one disposable pad filled with a hydrocarbon
adsorbent/absorbent material that is periodically inspected for
saturation, removed when saturated, and disposed of when
saturated.
59. The method of claim 58 where, after disposal of the saturated
pad, said pad is replaced.
60. The method of claim 48 where solids in the vault are
periodically removed and, if not sufficiently drained to remove
water runoff entrained therein, are transported to a remote
location and dewatered.
61. The method of claim 48 where solids in the vault are
periodically removed and have been retained within the vault under
conditions for a sufficiently long time period that remove water
runoff entrained in said solids.
Description
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS & INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of
U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/563,862, entitled
"Watershed Runoff drainage Device & method," filed Apr. 20,
2004. This related application is incorporated herein by reference
and made a part of this application. If any conflict arises between
the disclosure of the invention in this utility application and
that in the related provisional application, the disclosure in this
utility application shall govern. Moreover, the inventors
incorporate herein by reference any and all U.S. patents, U.S.
patent applications, and other documents, hard copy or electronic,
cited or referred to in this application.
DEFINITIONS
[0002] The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and
"including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent
in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any
one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such
item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or
items.
[0003] "Rectangular-shape" includes square-shape and square.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Devices commonly referred to as "drain inlet inserts" or
"catch basin inserts" now find increasing use as a Best Management
Practice (BMP) to meet the environmental compliance requirements of
property development environmental regulations which typically
mandate that certain contaminants, such as Trash, Total Suspended
Solids (TSS) or Total Oil & Grease (TOG) may not be discharged
from such property post-development in concentrations exceeding
pre-development levels. Devices are generally available to satisfy
the requirements for trash discharge control, but control of
smaller, more complex suspended solids, hydrocarbon-based
contaminants and dissolved metals require equipment that is more
complex and expensive . . . so much so, that the emerging trend is
for property developers to use drain inlet inserts in drain inlet
vaults. Examples of such inserts are disclosed by Abtech (U.S. Pat.
No. 6,344,519), DrainPac (U.S. Pat. No. 6,562,233), and Fossil
Filter (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,720,574; 5,744,048; 5,958,226; 6,080,307;
6,099,723). These inserts are efficient for trash removal but not
necessarily for TSS or TOG, but they are less expensive, readily
available, and standards for acceptability of such BMP's have not
yet been promulgated or adopted.
[0005] Devices most efficient for capture of contaminants other
than trash, will be those that function as a gravity clarifier,
allowing TSS to settle to the bottom of a water-detaining container
and TOG to float to the surface of water standing in such a
container where it can be collected by a hydrocarbon absorbing
media. Providing these characteristics is not only more expensive,
but also introduces an additional problem which is beginning to
further limit use of the most efficient drain inlet insert devices,
such as the Hydro-Cartridge (U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,367). Namely, the
problem of standing water that provides an environment for mosquito
growth. Now that West Nile Virus has been identified across the
country as a serous heath hazard, Vector Control Agencies are
actively discouraging the use of inlet vault inserts which operate
with standing water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] This invention provides a method of treating watershed
runoff and a watershed drainage device that is convenient and
economic to install in an inlet of a vault having its outlet in
communication with a storm drain. This invention also includes the
combination of the watershed runoff drainage device of this
invention and either a bottom exit vault or a side exit vault.
[0007] In bottom-exit vaults the storm water drainage device
produces temporarily standing water for more efficient gravity
separation and then eliminates the standing water (once rainfall
and storm water runoff has slowed sufficiently) in a short enough
time to prevent flying mosquito development, even if eggs, larvae
or pupae are washed into the drain inlet vault with watershed
runoff. In side-exit vaults having permanently standing water, the
device may utilize movable floating closures that move with the
water surface level to prevent mosquito ingress/egress, or, in some
cases, pumps for automatic water removal. This invention enables
the capture, detention, removal and disposal of contaminants
contained in watershed runoff entering inlet vaults in which such
devices have been installed to ensure compliance with environmental
regulations. These functions are achieved most efficiently through
the use of gravity separation to enable filtration of entrained
suspended solids and media collection of metals and floatable
hydrocarbons, while at the same time preventing mosquito
development in the standing water by automatically removing
standing water once rainfall and storm water runoff have ceased, or
by providing means to prevent ingress/egress of flying mosquitoes.
As the result of an accidental spill, hydrocarbon liquids such as,
for example, gasoline, diesel fuel and motor oil, may flow into the
inlet of the drain inlet vault. This invention prevents hydrocarbon
liquids from such spills from by-passing the watershed drainage
device of this invention and directly entering the inlet vault, or
from exiting the drain inlet vault via the standing water removal
pathway of the drainage device.
[0008] This invention provides for maximum possible collection of
settled TSS within a given inlet vault. Further, it provides for
maximum collection/removal of dissolved metals and TOG from storm
water runoff entrained in the influent water. It enables disposal
of collected TOG in a Class-A landfill to be possible, while, at
the same time preventing spilled hydrocarbon-based liquids from
by-passing the inlet vault or exiting the drain inlet vault by
following the mosquito prevention water removal pathway. This
invention also includes methods for inspection, determination of
need for, and accomplishment of cleanout and disposal of captured
contaminants from inlet vaults using the storm water drainage
devices of this invention. This enables property developers to use
this invention to remain functionally compliant with governmental
environmental regulations throughout the life of their land
development project. This invention has one or more features as
discussed subsequently herein. After reading the following section
entitled "DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THIS
INVENTION," one will understand how the features of this invention
provide its benefits, which include, but are not limited to: (1)
improving the efficiency of detention and capture of contaminants
contained in watershed runoff which would otherwise pass though a
drain inlet vault and into the storm drain system, (2) preventing
the release of flying mosquitoes from such drain inlet vaults, and
(3) preventing spills of hydrocarbon-based liquids from passing
through drain inlet vaults and entering the storm drain system.
[0009] Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by
the claims that follow, some, but not necessarily all, of its
features are:
[0010] One, the watershed runoff drainage device includes funnel
member and a housing both adapted to be mounted within the vault.
The funnel member is adapted to be inserted into an inlet of the
vault and it is sized and configured so that the water runoff first
flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault, this
water runoff being retained in the vault a sufficient period of
time to allow at least some of the suspended solids to settle
within the vault. The housing forms a retention chamber in which
water runoff flowing into the housing from the funnel member is
confined for a predetermined period to enable at least a portion of
any solid material in the water runoff to collect within the
retention chamber.
[0011] Two, the housing may include a sidewall adapted to be
positioned within the vault to provide a space between the sidewall
of the housing and a sidewall of the vault. The sidewall of the
housing functions as a weir enabling at least some water runoff
within the retention chamber to flow over the sidewall of the
housing into the space and out an outlet of the vault. An upper
edge of an open top end of the sidewall of the housing may form a
weir. A deflector member may be positioned in the space between the
inlet of the vault and the exit end of the funnel member.
[0012] Three, the funnel member and housing may be configured to
control the velocity of the water runoff. The funnel member and
housing may each have cross-sectional configurations with the
predetermined area of the housing being greater than the
predetermined area of the funnel member so that the velocity of
water runoff decreases as the water runoff flows from the funnel
member into the housing. The funnel may be inserted longitudinally
into the inlet of the vault The housing may be detached from the
funnel member and adapted to be mounted within the vault downstream
of the inlet of the vault. The housing may include an open top end
that receives an exit end of the funnel member and an open bottom
end that is upstream of an outlet of the vault. The sidewall may
connect the top and bottom ends to form the retention chamber in
which the water runoff is confined. A drain assembly may be at the
open bottom end of the housing. The drain assembly may include a
filter element that retains solid material collected within the
retention chamber. The filter element may be oriented either
substantially horizontal or substantially vertically. A weir member
situated between an exterior wall of the funnel member and a
sidewall of the vault may be employed that is substantially at a
right angle to a horizontal filter element. The drain assembly may
be connected to the bottom end of the housing and sealed thereto so
that at least some of the water runoff within the retention chamber
flows through the drain assembly prior to flowing from the outlet
of the vault.
[0013] Four, the device may include a buoyant hydrocarbon
collection member that floats on the surface of the water runoff.
At least one hydrocarbon buoyant hydrocarbon collection member may
be within the funnel member and move up and down within the funnel
member as the position of the surface of the water runoff changes.
The hydrocarbon collection member may comprise a plurality of
porous pockets. Each pocket may contain a removable hydrocarbon
absorbing material that is replaceable when saturated with
hydrocarbon. The predetermined cross-sectional area of the funnel
member may be substantially rectangular and the hydrocarbon
collection member substantially fills this rectangular
cross-sectional area of the funnel member as the water runoff fills
at least partially the funnel member. The hydrocarbon collection
member may be mounted to move longitudinally while floating on the
surface of the water runoff. A guide member may be employed that
interacts with the hydrocarbon collection member to direct the
movement of this collection member along a predetermined
substantially vertical path within the funnel member. At least one
hydrocarbon collection member may be mounted to pivot near the open
bottom end of the housing. A hydrocarbon spill shut-off mechanism
may be employed that in response to a high concentration of
hydrocarbon liquid flowing into the device prevents the outflow of
the hydrocarbon liquid from the device. The hydrocarbon spill
shut-off mechanism is located in the drain assembly and includes a
passageway into which flows at least a portion of the high
concentration of hydrocarbon liquid, said passageway being filled
with a material that absorbs said hydrocarbon liquid and blocks
said passageway to prevent the outflow from the device of the
hydrocarbon liquid.
[0014] Five, a metals collection member may also be employed. This
metals collection member may be situated in a space formed between
an exterior wall of the funnel member and a sidewall of the vault.
The water runoff thus flows through the metals collection member
prior to exiting the outlet of the vault.
[0015] The watershed runoff drainage device of this invention may
be installed in either a bottom exit vault or a side exit vault
[0016] In a bottom exit vault, the vault is lodged at least
partially below ground level and may comprise vertical walls
substantially at right angles to form a cavity having a rectangular
cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area. The cavity
has at or near ground level an open top inlet with predetermined
dimensions, a bottom below ground level with an outlet thereat
extending through one vertical wall so that substantially all
runoff water entering the vault flows from the vault to a storm
drain, substantially avoiding standing water within the vault, and
a removable grating member covering the inlet. The funnel member
used with such a bottom exit vault has an elongated body including
a sidewall having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration with
a predetermined area that is less than the area of the vault, an
exit end below ground level and upstream of the outlet of the
vault, and an enlarged entry end including a lip member having
dimensions substantially the same as the dimensions of the inlet of
the vault. The lip member is seated between the grating member and
upper edges of the vertical walls so that water runoff flows
through the funnel member prior to entering the vault.
[0017] In a side exit drain inlet vault, the vault is lodged at
least partially below ground level and may comprise vertical walls
substantially at right angles to form a cavity having a rectangular
cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area. The cavity
has at or near ground level an open top inlet with predetermined
dimensions, a bottom below ground level, and an outlet above the
bottom that extends through one vertical wall so that some of the
runoff water entering the vault remains within the cavity, and a
removable grating member covering the inlet. The funnel member used
with such a side exit vault has an elongated body including a
sidewall having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration with a
predetermined area that is less than the area of the vault, an exit
end below ground level and upstream of the outlet of the vault, and
an enlarged entry end including a lip member having dimensions
substantially the same as the dimensions of the inlet of the vault
that is seated between the grating member and upper edges of the
vertical walls so that water runoff flows through the funnel member
prior to entering the vault. Either the bottom exit or side exit
vaults may be provided with at least one hydrocarbon collection
member within the body of the funnel member that floats on the
surface of the water runoff and moves up and down as the position
of the surface of the water runoff changes.
[0018] When used with a side exit vault, the device of this
invention may include a closure member at the outlet of the vault
that includes a buoyant door that is closed until the surface of
the water runoff in the vault reaches the door and causes said door
to open as the door floats on the surface of the runoff water. The
door may be mounted by a hinge and is above any filter element
being employed. There is sufficient clearance between the open door
and the grating member to enable runoff water to flow into the
outlet. A water pump adapted to remove any standing water may also
be positioned within the side exit vault. The water pump may be an
electric battery powered pump or a running-water powered pump. The
funnel member used in a side exit vault may also include an
anti-freezing mechanism that inhibits freezing of the water runoff
in the funnel member. This anti-freezing mechanism may comprise an
opening in a sidewall of the funnel member that is normally closed
by a closure member that opens when the water runoff in the funnel
member freezes to block the exit end of the funnel member, thereby
by allowing water runoff to flow through the opening and bypass the
exit end.
[0019] These features are not listed in any rank order nor is this
list intended to be exhaustive.
[0020] This invention also includes a method of treating water
runoff from a watershed as it flows through a drain inlet vault in
communication with a storm drain. This method involves removing
suspended solids and removing hydrocarbons from the water runoff.
It does this in a fashion that avoids or minimizes mosquito growth.
The method includes the steps of
[0021] (a) inserting a funnel member in an inlet of the vault that
is sized and configured so that the water runoff first flows
through the funnel member prior to entering the vault and is
retained in the vault a sufficient period of time to allow at least
some of the suspended solids to settle within the vault, and
[0022] (b) providing a buoyant hydrocarbon collection member that
floats on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member
and moves up and down within the funnel member as the position of
the surface of the water runoff changes.
[0023] A metals collection member and filters may be inserted into
the vault upstream of an outlet of the vault. Visual inspection
enables an inspector to determine that any standing water runoff
disappears within a predetermined time period, and if not, the
vault or devices used may be cleaned when the standing water runoff
has not disappeared within the predetermined time period. A
replaceable filter element may be positioned downstream of the
funnel member that is periodically removed and replaced. This
removed filter element may be backwashed into the drain inlet
vault. The hydrocarbon collection member may include at least one
disposable pad filled with a hydrocarbon adsorbent/absorbent
material that is periodically inspected for saturation, removed
when saturated, and disposed of when saturated. After disposal of
the saturated pad, the pad may be replaced. Collected solids in the
vault may be periodically removed and, if not sufficiently drained
to remove water runoff entrained therein, may be transported to a
remote location and dewatered. The solids in the vault may be
periodically removed after being retained within the vault under
conditions for a sufficiently long time period that remove water
runoff entrained in the solids.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0024] Some embodiments of this invention, illustrating all its
features, will now be discussed in detail. These embodiments depict
the novel and non-obvious watershed runoff drainage device and
method of this invention as shown in the accompanying drawing,
which is for illustrative purposes only. This drawing includes the
following figures (FIGS.), with like numerals indicating like
parts:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a typical top-entry
bottom-exit concrete drain inlet vault in which some of the
embodiments of this invention will typically be utilized.
[0026] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, with sections broken
away, of one embodiment of the storm water drainage device of this
invention.
[0027] FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view, with sections
broken away, of an alternative embodiment of the storm water
drainage device of this invention.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 2
installed in the top-entry bottom-exit drain inlet vault of FIG.
1.
[0029] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 2A
installed in the top-entry bottom-exit drain inlet vault of FIG.
1.
[0030] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an Automatic Drain
Down System shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3
[0031] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment
of the storm water drainage device of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of a removable
permeable weir element.
[0033] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the permeable weir element
shown in FIG. 5A.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 5
installed in the top-entry bottom-exit drain inlet vault of FIG.
1.
[0035] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of still another
embodiment of the storm water drainage device of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 7
installed in the top-entry bottom-exit drain inlet vault of FIG.
1.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a typical top-entry
side-exit drain inlet vault in which other embodiments of this
invention will typically be utilized.
[0038] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another
embodiment of the storm water drainage device of the invention,
ready for installation in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault
of FIG. 9.
[0039] FIG. 10A is an enlarged perspective view, with sections
broken away, of a floatable, disposable hydrocarbon collection pad
member.
[0040] FIG. 10B is an exploded perspective view of another
embodiment of the storm water drainage device of the invention,
ready for installation in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault
of FIG. 9.
[0041] FIG. 10C is an exploded detail view of an alternative
"Rubberizer" carrier sub-assembly used to deploy disposable
"Rubberizer" pads for collection of hydrocarbons.
[0042] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 10
installed in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault of FIG.
9.
[0043] FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 10B
installed in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault of FIG.
9.
[0044] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative
configuration of a weir box subassembly 112 of FIG. 10, which can
be substituted in both FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 for weir box subassembly
shown in these figures.
[0045] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 12
installed in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault of FIG.
11.
[0046] FIG. 14A is an exploded perspective view of an alternative
configuration of the weir box subassembly 121 of FIG. 12, which can
be substituted in FIG. 11 for the weir box subassembly depicted
therein.
[0047] FIG. 14B is an exploded perspective view of an alternative
configuration of the weir box subassembly 131 of FIG. 14A, which
can be substituted in FIG. 11 for the weir box subassembly depicted
therein.
[0048] FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of the fully assembled
alternatively configured device of FIG. 14A installed in the
top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault of FIG. 1.
[0049] FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of the fully assembled
alternatively configured device of FIG. 14B installed in the
top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault of FIG. 11.
[0050] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a specially modified
open bottomed side-exit drain inlet vault.
[0051] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the storm water drainage device of the invention installed in the
open bottomed side-exit drain inlet vault of FIG. 16.
[0052] FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective, with sections broken
away, view of still another embodiment of the storm water drainage
device of the invention.
[0053] FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the storm water drainage device of the invention.
[0054] FIG. 19B is an enlarged perspective view, with sections
broken away, of water-tight DC power and control subassembly shown
FIG. 19A
[0055] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative
configuration of the device of FIG. 19A.
[0056] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of still another
embodiment of the storm water drainage device of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THIS INVENTION
[0057] The watershed runoff drainage device and method of this
invention is adapted to be used with a drain inlet vault for a
storm drain. The following embodiments illustrate this method and
drainage device, which may include
[0058] (a) means adapted to be inserted into an inlet of the vault
for directing substantially all water runoff entering the vault to
flow there through prior to entering the vault,
[0059] (b) means positioned within the directing means that floats
on the surface of the water runoff, at all water levels, within
said directing means for collecting hydrocarbon, and
[0060] (c) means adapted to be positioned within the vault for
inhibiting the growth of mosquito larvae and the like within the
vault and for inhibiting any mosquitoes within the vault from
escaping the vault.
Embodiment A
[0061] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is disclosed one
embodiment of this invention, the watershed runoff drainage device
20.
[0062] This device 20 may be installed in a typical rectangular
configured top-entry bottom exit drain inlet vault 10 (FIG. 1). The
vault 10 has a top-entry grate 12 through which storm water runoff
from the surrounding watershed enters the inlet vault 10. Steel or
cast iron rails 14 support the grating 12 above a vault interior 16
in which the storm water runoff would normally accumulate and flow
without pre-treatment to the storm drain system via a bottom-exit
pipe 18 to vault discharge 19. Such inlet vault s 10 may be made of
concrete, steel, fiberglass, plastic or other non-permeable
material.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 2 the watershed runoff drainage device 20
of this invention including the stainless steel (SS) or formed
plastic funnel sub-assembly 21 comprised of an SS or formed plastic
funnel 22 connected to an SS or formed plastic throat 24, SS rods
54 removably connected to the throat 24 and serving to tether and
control the floatation path of mesh plastic carriers 56 with
pockets 57 containing disposable plastic mesh pads 55 filled with
particles of "Rubberizer" media 44 to collect floatable
hydrocarbons entrained in the storm water runoff, enabling the mesh
plastic carriers 56 inside the throat 24 to float on the liquid
surface 58 during all levels of fullness, thus maximizing liquid
detention time and hydrocarbon collection efficiency, while the
mesh plastic carriers 56 tethered to the SS ADDS mounting frame 32
serve the purpose of collecting hydrocarbons from the receding
liquid surface 58 during drain down, and float into a vertical
position in a housing or insert box 28 as the liquid surface 58
level rises. The funnel sub-assembly 21 is removably mounted below
the grating 12 directly on the grating rails 14, or on additional
separate mounting rails 26 bolted to the interior walls of the
vault 16. The funnel sub-assembly 21 serves to channel storm water
from the top-entry grating 12 and is sealed to the grating rails 14
and/or mounting rails 26 to prevent any liquid from by-passing the
funnel sub-assembly 21 and passing directly into the vault 16. FIG.
2 also illustrates an SS or formed plastic insert box 28 with its
SS hangers 30 and SS ADDS mounting frame 32 to which the Automatic
Drain Down System (ADDS) device 34, described in detail in FIG. 4,
is removably attached using SS rods 36, washers 38 nuts 40 and
removable mounting straps 42, enabling the ADDS mounting seal 44 to
prevent any liquid loss from the insert box 28 except by virtue of
following the gravity drainage pathway down through a permeable
weir element 46 of ADDS device 34, or by rising and flowing up over
the four weirs 48 formed by the walls of the insert box 28. The
insert box 28 hangs from SS box mounting rails 50 which are mounted
to the interior walls of the vault 16, or from ledges formed in the
vault 10. Liquid entering the permeable weir element 46 of the ADDS
device 34 flows to the spill control drains 52 removably installed
in the ADDS device 34 through which the liquid contained in the
insert box 28 gravity drains into the vault 16 and automatically to
the bottom-exit pipe 18 and vault discharge 19, leaving behind in
the device 20 of this invention a significant fraction of the
influent suspended solids and floatable hydrocarbons.
[0064] FIG. 3 depicts the device 20 as shown in FIG. 2 in its
assembled state installed in the top-entry bottom-exit drain inlet
vault 10. The funnel sub-assembly 21 is supported by grating rails
14 and extends into the interior of the insert box 28, which is
removably suspended by its hangers 30 on box mounting rails 50
which are in turn bolted to the interior vault walls 16, enabling
all entering liquid to be directed on top of the permeable weir
element 62 of ADDS device 34 so that the liquid surface 58 level
inside the suspended weir box 28 can rise sufficiently to enable
suspended solids to settle on top of ADDS device 34 for later
removal and any entrained hydrocarbons to float for collection by
the "Rubberizer" particles 44. These "Rubberizer" particles 44 are
contained in the disposable plastic mesh pads 55 which are in turn
contained in pockets 57 of the mesh plastic carriers 56 located
inside the funnel sub-assembly 21, and inside the SS ADDS device
34, producing the controlled pathway for liquid flow 33 which
enables the ADDS device 34 to perform its unique functions.
[0065] Further, the ADDS device 34 is welded to the suspended weir
box 28, or removably connected thereto as depicted in FIG. 18, to
complete liquid-tight connection causing all liquid to either drain
down under force of gravity and discharge via the spill control
drain tubes 52, or rise and flow over the weir 48 edges of the
insert box 28 into the interior vault space 16, to the bottom-exit
pipe 18 and to vault discharge 19.
[0066] FIG. 4 illustrates the details and the sequence of liquid
flow 33 which enable the ADDS device 34 to perform its unique
functions. The SS outer cover 35 of the ADDS device 34 creates an
opening through which liquid can enter the ADDS device 34 while it
positions the permeable filter media 39 between the upper expanded
SS screen 37 and the lower expanded SS screen 41 on SS support
angles 43 inside the lower container 51, creating a collection
cavity 45 in which liquid can accumulate and gravity flow into the
open entry ends of the spill control drain tubes 52. These drain
tubes 52 are supported on the drain positioning plate 47 after
being inserted, threaded and sealed into the SS drain tube
positioning flanges 49 which are welded into and penetrate the
lower container 51 wall(s) as needed to enable discharge 33 via the
spill control drain tubes 52. The spill control drain tubes 52
comprise a disposable PVC tube 53 removably positioned in an SS
mounting nut 58 with threads matching the drain tube positioning
flanges 49 and having a removable screen 59 at the inlet and outlet
ends of each disposable PVC tube 53 to prevent the "Rubberizer"
particulate 44 packed inside each disposable PVC tube 53 from
becoming unpacked. The outer cover 35 is then removably sealed to
the outside perimeter surface of the lower container 51.
[0067] FIGS. 2A and 3A depict an alternative configuration of the
device of FIGS. 2 and 3 similarly installed in a top-entry bottom
exit drain inlet vault 10. In this embodiment, an additional pair
of mesh plastic carriers 56a and 56b are hinged or tethered to an
ADDS device 34' so that they float on the surface of the water in
the ADDS device 34'. A U-shaped drain tube 52' has an inlet I
beneath the water level so that the water under the carriers 56a
and 56b flows into the inlet I. Thread ends 49' of the U-shaped
drain tube 52' receive the disposable PVC tubes 53. The thread ends
49' are above the inlet I.
Embodiment B
[0068] Another embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 5
and 6 is the watershed runoff drainage device 60. This device 60
includes the funnel sub-assembly 21, an additional permeable weir
sub-assembly 61 described in detail below, a horizontal permeable
weir filter element 62, and a vertical permeable weir filter
element 63. Both filter elements 62 and 63 are removably inserted
into elements of the permeable weir sub-assembly 61, plus deflector
plates 23 selectively attached to the throat 240D and to the vault
interior 16, ready for installation into a rectangular top-entry
bottom-exit drain inlet vault 10. The deflector plates 23 serve two
purposes, they slow and deflect rising liquid slowing the liquid
velocity and increasing the fraction of settled solids and they
serve as barriers to the vertical movement of the larvae and pupae
mosquito stages, reducing their survival.
[0069] The permeable weir sub-assembly 61 comprises a welded SS
angle frame 64 further welded to three or more SS angle supports 65
which serve to space the welded SS angle frame 64 off the bottom of
the drain inlet vault interior 16, providing a cavity for liquid to
gravity-flow through the horizontal weir filter element 62 after it
is removably inserted into the SS angle frame 64 and join liquid
flowing through or over the vertical weir filter element 63. The
vertical weir filter element 63 is removably inserted into the
vertical SS c-channel frame 66 welded to the side of the SS angle
frame 64 facing the pipe wall, to the bottom-exit pipe 18 and vault
discharge 19. Also welded to the horizontal sides of the SS angle
frame 64 and vertical sides of the vertical SS c-channel frame 66
are SS expanded-metal angle spacer-fillers 67 which serve to fill
the perimeter cavity space and provide support for strips of
permeable filter media 39 cut to tightly fill the horizontal and
vertical perimeter cavities and provide the seal necessary to
ensure that entrained suspended solids do not by-pass the permeable
weir sub-assembly 61. Additional SS expanded-metal angle
spacer-fillers 67 are bolted to the vault interior 16 using SS
anchors with SS washers and SS nuts 68 after being positioned to
sandwich the permeable filter media pieces 39 firmly in place
against the SS expanded-metal angle spacer-fillers 67 welded to the
horizontal SS angle frame 64 and the vertical SS c-channel frame
66, thus filling the perimeter space against leakage of suspended
solids and securing the permeable weir sub-assembly 61 in place in
the vault interior 16. The horizontal weir filter element 62 and
the vertical weir filter element 63 each comprises a piece of
permeable filter media 39 sandwiched between two pieces of expanded
SS screen 37 and secured inside a full-perimeter SS c-channel frame
69 sized to removably fit into the SS angle frame 64 or to fit into
the vertical SS C-shaped channel frame 66, as appropriate.
[0070] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrates the removable permeable weir
element 46, typifying the construction of those depicted in FIGS.
2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 10B, 11, 11A, 12, 13, 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B, 17 and
21. These permeable weir elements 46 may be deployed in horizontal,
vertical, or slanted modes. Liquid velocities decrease as liquid
passes through these permeable weir elements 46 and the liquid is
filtered to collect suspended solids and enhance hydrocarbon liquid
coalescing. They may also function as a weir to control flow. The
weir element 46 is a welded assembly comprising a frame 66
constructed of SS c-channels surrounding a filter media 39
sandwiched between two layers of SS expanded metal screen 67.
[0071] FIG. 6 depicts the device 60 shown in FIG. 5 in its
assembled state installed in the top-entry bottom exit drain inlet
vault 10 of FIG. 1. In the device 60 the funnel sub-assembly 21 is
supported by grating rails 14 and extends into the interior space
below the top of the vertical SS c-channel frame 66 enabling all
liquid entering through the grate 12 to be directed on top of the
horizontal weir filter element 62 and behind the vertical weir
filter element 63. Both in this view are not visible, sitting
inside their respective holding frames which are sealed at the
interface with the surrounding vault wall 16 in the horizontal
plane perimeter of the horizontal SS angle frame 64 and in the
vertical plane perimeter of the two opposite vault walls 16
adjacent the vertical SS c-channel frame 66 by the SS
expanded-metal angle spacer-fillers 67 and permeable filter media
pieces 39. Entering liquid will gravity flow down through the
horizontal weir filter element 62 into the cavity below to the
bottom-exit pipe 18 to vault discharge 19. When sufficient liquid
enters to cause the liquid surface 58 level to rise, liquid will
also gravity flow through the vertical weir filter element 63. With
high enough entering liquid flow, the liquid surface 58 level will
rise to cover the bottom opening of the funnel subassembly 21,
causing the mesh plastic carriers 56 to float on the liquid level
inside the throat 24. With sufficient inflow liquid surface 58 will
rise to flow past the deflector plates 23, over the top of the
vertical weir filter element 63 to the bottom-exit pipe 18 and to
vault discharge 19. At all inflow volumes entrained suspended
solids will settle in the cavity above/behind the two weirs for
later removal and disposal. Entrained hydrocarbons floating on the
liquid surface 58 will be collected by the "Rubberizer" media
particles 44 contained inside the disposable plastic mesh pads 55
inserted into the pockets 57 of the plastic mesh carriers 56 for
later replacement and disposal.
Embodiment C
[0072] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of this invention, the
device 70 of this invention. This device 70 comprises the funnel
sub-assembly 21 and an ADDS device 34 specially wall mounted to
enable drain-down and spill control in top-entry bottom-exit drain
inlet vaults which are not large enough to accommodate installation
of the device 20. The special wall mounting ADDS support method
comprises an SS angle frame 71 welded or otherwise connected and
sized to enable the outer horizontal flange element of the SS angle
frame 71 to reach within a fraction of an inch of the three vault
interior walls 16 adjacent and opposite the pipe wall, and be
positioned on top of three SS angle mounting brackets 72. Each has
its top surface largely covered by a rubber or plastic seal 73,
while the inner horizontal flange element of the SS angle frame 71
is recessed to allow the ADDS device 34 to nest inside the SS angle
frame 71 once the upper surface of the inner horizontal flange
element has been largely covered with a rubber or plastic seal 73.
The side of the SS angle mounting frame 71 facing the pipe wall has
welded or otherwise connected to it a vertical impermeable weir 74
with the vertical edges of the side facing the vault pipe wall
largely covered with a rubber or plastic seal 73 and drain tube
access ports 75 cut through the SS angle frame 71 and its vertical
impermeable weir 74 to allow the spill control drain tubes 52 of
the ADDS device 34 to penetrate the vertical impermeable weir 74
and nest inside the SS angle frame 71, where it can be secured in
place through the drain tube access ports 75 by two swiveling
latches 76 and, at the rear edge, by two hinged latches 77. The SS
angle mounting brackets 72 are bolted to the vault interior 16
walls using SS anchors 78 and the SS angle frame is attached to the
SS angle mounting brackets using SS sheet metal screws 79.
[0073] FIG. 8 depicts the device 70 in its assembled state
installed in the top-entry bottom-exit drain inlet vault 10. The
device 70 includes the funnel sub-assembly 21 supported by grating
rails 14 and extending into the interior space below the top of the
vertical impermeable weir 74, enabling all liquid entering through
the grating 12 to be directed on top of the ADDS device 34 and
behind the vertical impermeable weir 74. As liquid level rises
above the ADDS device 34, the mesh plastic carriers 56 will float
up and collect hydrocarbons from the liquid surface 58, while the
head pressure of the rising liquid will force liquid to follow the
ADDS device 34 drain path to discharge from the spill control drain
tubes 52. Additional inflow will eventually cause the liquid
surface 58 level to rise, overflow the vertical impermeable weir 74
to the bottom-exit pipe 18 and the vault discharge 19.
[0074] FIG. 9 depicts a typical rectangular top-entry side-exit
drain inlet vault 80 with top-entry grate 12 through which storm
water runoff from the surrounding watershed enters the vault 80,
steel or cast iron rails 14 which support the grate 12, and a vault
interior 16 in which the storm water runoff would normally
accumulate and flow without pre-treatment to the storm drain system
via the side-exit pipe 81 to vault discharge 19, which allows
standing liquid surface 58 level inside the vault 80 to enable
maximum head differential between the bottom of the side-exit pipe
81 and the point of discharge of the liquid via buried piping
through a nearby curb onto its adjacent street-side gutter to
gravity flow to the nearest storm drain system.
Embodiment D
[0075] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of this invention, the
device 90, which includes funnel sub-assembly 21 and deflector
plates 23 of FIGS. 5 and 6. A "Rubberizer" carrier sub-assembly 100
has been added which floats on the liquid surface 58 inside the
throat 24, just making contact with the ID surfaces of the funnel
subassembly 21, and riding vertically on SS rods 54 which penetrate
alignment holes 103, and which comprises four distinct layers of
material positioned for assembly together as follows:
[0076] A "Rubberizer" carrier layer 102 made of mesh plastic
material 110 with formed pockets 104 made to hold disposable
plastic mesh pads 55, depicted in enlarged cutaway view in FIG.
10A, filled with "Rubberizer" particulate 44 and which also forms a
separate pocket 105 to hold a plastic floatation tube 107, which
can also be optionally added to the OD edges of the "Rubberizer"
carrier layer 102, positioned between the SS rods 54 to provide
buoyancy and stiffness along the material hinge axis. This
"Rubberizer" carrier layer 102 is securely sewn to a layer of
polypropylene felt 106 to assist in floatation, in wicking of
hydrocarbons to the disposable plastic mesh pads 55 and to maximize
formation of a hydrocarbon liquid surface layer surrounding the
perimeter of the polypropylene felt 106 at the interface with the
throat 24 ID for prevention of oxygen access by mosquitoes in their
larvae or pupae stages. The "Rubberizer" carrier subassembly 100 is
then completed by pop-riveting, or otherwise securing, an
additional layer of polypropylene felt 106, two pieces of
polypropylene sheet 108 and a piece of mesh plastic material 110
together so that the alignment holes 103 allow easy insertion of
the SS rods. This "Rubberizer" carrier subassembly 100 serves to
very efficiently collect hydrocarbons inside, and to prevent
mosquito ingress/egress via the funnel subassembly 21.
[0077] FIG. 10 also shows, as an element of the device 90, a weir
box subassembly 112, to surround the side-exit pipe 81. The weir
box subassembly 112 comprises an SS weir box 114 including the
bottom and two opposite ends with flanges to enable bolting to the
vault interior 16, a vertical SS c-channel frame 66 sized to fit
and welded to the weir box 114 and to SS top seal strap 115 which
has been folded over across the top edge before also being welded
to the weir box 114, into which a vertical permeable weir filter
element 63 sized to fit will be removably inserted, a floating door
mounting frame 120 with wall mounting flanges adjustably bolted to
the weir box 114 and a PVC floating door 122 with perimeter seal
124, adjustable mounting slots 125 and fasteners 126.
[0078] FIG. 10B shows one embodiment of this invention, the device
90', which includes the funnel sub-assembly 21' and a funnel
extender 25 to enable the funnel sub-assembly 21' to be positioned
on center or to one side within a given side exit inlet vault. For
example, FIG. 11A depicts the device 90' installed in the top-entry
side exit vault 80. A floating mosquito control subassembly 100,
depicted in exploded detail in FIG. 10, is positioned within the
throat of the funnel sub-assembly 21' to prevent mosquito
ingress/egress via the funnel pathway. Removable vertical permeable
weir filter elements 63 are positioned in a wall-mounted weir box
subassembly 112' containing a down-turned box 119 which in turn
includes a hinged 128 lid 117 through which a floating door
mounting frame 120' with floating door 122' can be positioned in
vertical inner and outer mounting tubes 123 and 125, respectively,
and secured with fasteners 126. The floating door 112' stops
mosquito ingress and egress. Any hydrocarbon floating on the
surface of the water surrounds the perimeter of the down-turned box
119, remaining on the water's surface, and water beneath the
surface hydrocarbon flows into an open bottom of the down-turned
box. This water then flows out an open end of the down-turned box
and out the outlet 81.
[0079] Also positioned on each permeable weir filter element 63 is
an alternative "Rubberizer" carrier 111 depicted in detail in FIG.
10C comprising an SS expanded metal container 116 with lid 109
which positions disposable plastic mesh pads 55 at the waterline
for maximum effective collection of hydrocarbons. A U-shaped filter
felt media 106 is positioned between U-shaped expanded metal
baskets 117 and 116 that are held by a holder 101 that fits snugly
on the top of the weir filter element 63.
[0080] In the embodiments of this invention used with side exit
vaults as discussed above, no housing or weir box 28 downstream of
the funnel member is used. Instead, the water flows through a
funnel sub-assembly and out the outlet of the vault. Upstream of
this outlet is a floating door that may be within floating door
mounting frame or near the outlet.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 11, the device 90 in its assembled state is
installed in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault 80 of FIG.
9. In the device 90 the funnel subassembly 21 is supported by
grating rails 14 and extends into the vault interior 16, enabling
all liquid entering through the grate 12 to be directed into the
vault interior 16. As liquid level rises, the "Rubberizer" carrier
subassembly 100 will float at the changing water level, collect
hydrocarbons from the liquid surface 58 and prevent mosquito
ingress/egress. Rising liquid will flow past the deflector plates
23 to reach the vertical permeable weir filter element 63 of the
weir box subassembly 112 and pass through into the side-exit pipe
81 to vault discharge 19. Continued rising water will reach and
begin to lift the PVC floating door 122 with its attached perimeter
seal 124, allowing liquid to flow under the door into the side-exit
pipe 81 to vault discharge 19.
[0082] FIG. 12 shows an alternative configuration of the weir box
subassembly 112 of device 90. This alternative configuration is
designated as slanted weir box subassembly 121. Weir box
sub-assembly 121 has an SS slanted weir box 113 comprising the
ends, bottom, wall mounting flanges and SS c-channel frame 66
angularly reoriented to prevent liquid from entering except via the
floating door 122, which rotates on hinge pins 128 and/or via the
replaceable weir filter element 63 and is mounted in a floating
door mounting frame 120. This allows the floating door weir box
approach to be used for mosquito ingress/egress prevention even
when the side-exit pipe 81 is located within a very few inches of
the top of the grate 12, such as in FIG. 13, and would otherwise
prevent a horizontal floating door from lifting sufficiently to
allow full vault discharge design volume to enter the side-exit
pipe 81.
[0083] A replaceable permeable weir filter element 63 is positioned
so that rising liquid can pass through into the side-exit pipe 81,
having first passed through a final hydrocarbon collection step by
filtering through a "Rubberizer" carrier layer 56 of mesh plastic
with formed pockets 57 in which are positioned disposable plastic
mesh pads 55 filled with "Rubberizer" particulate 44, and which is
tethered to the bottom edge of the replaceable weir filter element
63, thus enabling easy positioning, removal and replacement for
changing the disposable plastic mesh pads 55 as needed. Weir box
subassembly 121 also has a floating door 122 with an attached
perimeter seal 124 and an adjustable floating door mounting frame
120, adjustable mounting slots 125 and fasteners 126 to connect it
to the SS slanted weir box 113.
[0084] FIG. 13 depicts an alternative configuration slanted weir
box subassembly 121 of device 90 in its assembled state installed
in the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault 80 of FIG. 11. FIG.
14A illustrates additional alternative configurations of the weir
box subassemblies 112 and 121 of device 90. These alternative
configurations are designated as slanted weir box subassemblies 131
(FIG. 14A) and 141 (FIG. 14B). Slanted weir box subassembly 131 is
identical to slanted weir box subassembly 121, also having a
floating door mounting frame 120, except that the SS slanted weir
box 113 element thereof becomes welded to an SS rectangular
coupling 114, enabling insertion into a rectangular side-exit pipe
81 for mounting of subassembly 131. Slanted weir box subassembly
141 comprises two back-to-back arrayed slanted weir box
subassemblies 121, as depicted in FIG. 14B, wherein the SS slanted
weir boxes 113 are welded to an SS round tee with back adapter
closure 115 enabling insertion into a round side-exit pipe 81 for
mounting of subassembly 141.
[0085] FIG. 14A illustrates an additional alternative configuration
of the weir box subassembly 121 of device 90 as depicted in FIG.
12. This alternative configuration is designated as slanted weir
box subassemblies 131. Slanted weir box subassembly 131 is
identical to slanted weir box subassembly 121, also having a
floating door mounting frame 120, except that the SS slanted weir
box 113 element thereof becomes welded to an SS rectangular
coupling 114, enabling insertion into a rectangular side-exit pipe
81 for mounting of subassembly 131.
[0086] FIG. 14B illustrates an additional alternative configuration
of the weir box subassembly 131 of device 90 as depicted in FIG.
14A. Slanted weir box subassembly 141 consists of two back-to-back
arrayed slanted weir box subassemblies 121, as depicted in FIG. 12,
wherein the SS slanted weir boxes 113 are welded to an SS round tee
with back adapter closure 115 enabling insertion into a round
side-exit invert 81 for mounting of subassembly 141.
[0087] FIG. 15A depicts the alternative configuration slanted weir
box subassembly 131 of device 90 as disclosed in the exploded
perspective view of FIG. 14A, in its assembled state, installed in
the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault 80 of FIG. 11.
[0088] FIG. 15B depicts the alternative configuration slanted weir
box subassembly 141 of device 90 as disclosed in the exploded
perspective view of FIG. 14B, in its assembled state, installed in
the top-entry side-exit drain inlet vault 80 of FIG. 11.
Embodiment E
[0089] This embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 depicts a
standard bottomless side-exit drain inlet vault 200, modified only
by the addition of a permeable weir support ledge 204 surrounding a
vertical section of the interior vault wall 16 to function as full
perimeter support of a horizontal permeable weir subassembly
similar to that depicted in FIG. 5 The bottomless side-exit drain
inlet vault 200 is inset into a large bed of gravel 202 which is in
turn contained within woven construction fabric, as specified by
the responsible civil engineer.
[0090] FIG. 16 shows a standard bottomless side-exit drain inlet
vault 200, modified only by the addition of a permeable weir
support ledge 204 surrounding a vertical section of the interior
vault wall 16 to function as full perimeter support of a horizontal
permeable weir subassembly similar to that depicted in FIG. 5 The
bottomless side-exit drain inlet vault 200 is inset into a large
bed of gravel 202 which is in turn contained within woven
construction fabric, as specified by the responsible civil
engineer.
[0091] FIG. 17 shows the device 200 installed in the bottomless
side-exit drain inlet vault 200 including a funnel subassembly 21
with a "Rubberizer" carrier subassembly 100, a weir box subassembly
112 and a replaceable hydraulic permeable weir filter 208. The weir
filter 208 comprises permeable filter media 214 securely sandwiched
between two pieces of expanded SS screen 212 inside a
full-perimeter SS c-channel frame 210 which has been sized to
closely fit onto the permeable weir support ledge 204, on top of a
rubber or plastic seal 73, which largely covers the top surface of
the ledge 204. The replaceable hydraulic permeable weir subassembly
208 is held in place by movable SS swiveling catches 216 anchored
to the interior vault wall 16.
Embodiment F
[0092] FIG. 18 illustrates the device 300 of the invention, which
is comprised of the device 20 of FIG. 2 altered by replacing the
ADDS device 34 with an ADDS metals collection subassembly 302
and/or two metals collection subassemblies 303 described as
follows:
[0093] Influent liquid enters the ADDS metals collection
subassembly 302 through the standard SS outer cover 35 of ADDS
device 34, admitting influent while it positions a layer of
permeable filter media 39 between an upper expanded SS screen 37
and a lower expanded SS screen 41, as shown if FIG. 4, which in
FIG. 302 is supported on SS vertical porous dividers 306 positioned
inside the lower metals container 304, which is simply a deeper
version of the ADDS lower container 51, to create porous, parallel
compartments in which cylindrical disposable plastic mesh bags 308
filled with "SBH" acid-extracted soybean hull media 309 developed
by the USDA Agricultural Research Service for collection of
dissolved metals from aqueous solutions, are located to maximize
exposure of the influent to surface contact with the bagged media
particles which have also demonstrated potential for dissolved
metals reduction and aquatic toxicity reduction simultaneously.
Liquid effluent accumulates in the bottom of the lower metals
container 304 and gravity flows to the two SS drain tube
positioning flanges 49 welded into a lower metals container 304
wall and into the vault interior 16, then to the bottom-exit invert
18 and on to vault discharge 19. The metals collection subassembly
302 can also be integrated into the device 20 of FIG. 7 by
substituting it for the ADDS device 34.
[0094] Influent liquid enters the metals collection subassemblies
303 when they are installed in device 20 of FIG. 2 by lowering two
of the four weirs 48 formed by the opposite walls of the insert box
28 not connected to the hangers 30, to provide a preferential
pathway for liquid flow to rise over these two lower weirs 48 and
into the open top of the metals collection subassemblies 303. The
hangers 311 suspend one subassembly 303 from the rim of one weir 48
while the three taller walls 310 of each subassembly 303 retain
liquid and enable the rising liquid head to force liquid through
the array of cylindrical disposable plastic mesh bags 308 separated
by SS screens 306 restrained where necessary by SS angle frames 312
to produce maximum liquid contact with the "SBH" acid-extracted
soybean hull media 309 filled cylindrical disposable plastic mesh
bags 308 inside the welded SS walls 310 of the subassembly 303 box
and to gravity discharge out the open bottom.
Embodiment G
[0095] FIG. 19A illustrates another embodiment of this invention,
the device 400 installed in a typical top entry side-exit vault 80
of FIG. 9 and comprising a funnel subassembly 21 and a replaceable
electric permeable weir filter 214 sized to fully cover the vault
cross-section and closely fit onto an SS angle support frame 418
anchored to the interior vault 16 wall and having a rubber or
plastic seal 73 largely covering its horizontal surface as depicted
in FIG. 17, and additionally with external SS rods 56 surrounding
the OD of the funnel subassembly 21. Attached to the SS rods 54 of
funnel subassembly 21 are mesh plastic carriers 56 containing
disposable plastic mesh pads 55, which will float with the liquid
level to collect entrained hydrocarbons. The replaceable electric
permeable weir filter 214 is removably held in place by movable SS
swiveling catches 216 anchored to the interior vault wall 16. The
elevation of removably mounted permeable weir subassembly 208
creates an accessible cavity in which is installed a DC submersible
pump 402 with float 404 connected by water-tight conduit 406 to a
water-tight DC power and control subassembly 420 which is comprised
of a multi-conductor power cable 425 into a water-tight container
421 with removable sealed lid 422 containing a timer control
circuit board with distribution buss 423 and a DC battery pack 424
enabling pumped removal of liquid to be used as a mosquito control
method, and still provide hydrocarbon spill control. The DC
submersible pump 402 suctions filtered liquid through a DC-powered
specific conductance sensor 412 (such as Myron-L "RO-CHECK"--U.S.
Pat. No. 4,762,611). When the "RO-CHECK" senses conductivity below
the set-point threshold between water and hydrocarbon-based liquids
such as motor oil, diesel fuel or gasoline, the "RO-CHECK" output
signal triggers shuts off the pump preventing any further discharge
of liquid. Instead, a disposable PVC tube 53 filled with
"Rubberizer" particulate 44 connected to a tube support 411 and a
DC powered pressure switch 414 can be installed in place of the
specific conductance sensor 412 to respond to increased suction
pressure demand in the suction line caused by swelling of the
"Rubberizer" particles reacting to the presence of
hydrocarbon-based liquid, and shut off the pump preventing any
further discharge of liquid.
[0096] FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative configuration of the
device 400 of designated as device 500. This device 500 comprises a
funnel subassembly 21, a replaceable hydraulic permeable weir
filter 208 sized to fully cover the vault cross-section and to
closely fit onto an SS angle support frame 418 anchored to the
interior vault 16 wall and having a rubber or plastic seal 73
largely covering its horizontal surface and additionally having
external SS rods 56 surrounding the OD of the throat 24. Attached
to all the SS rods 54 are mesh plastic carriers 56 containing
disposable plastic mesh pads 55 which will float with the liquid
level to collect entrained hydrocarbons. The replaceable hydraulic
permeable weir filter 208 is removably secured by movable SS
swiveling catches 216 anchored to the interior vault wall 16. The
elevation of removably mounted replaceable hydraulic permeable weir
filter 208 creates an accessible cavity wherein the liquid becomes
available to gravity-feed a suction tube of PVC pipe 512 feeding a
hydraulically powered fluid jet ejector pump 502 (such as U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,628,623; 5,931,643; 6,017,195) mounted below the funnel
subassembly 21 or, as depicted in FIG. 20, in a separate adjacent
vault 504 with a solid cover 506 for fluid jet ejector pump 502
access and a feedwater water 508 line bringing pressure water into
the vault 504 to power the pump.
[0097] FIG. 19B is an enlarged cutaway perspective view of the DC
power and control subassembly 420 of FIG. 19A, depicting the
watertight container 421, removable sealed lid 422, timer and
control circuit board with distribution buss 423, DC battery pack
424, multi-conductor power cable 425 and water-tight conduit 406,
all of which enable the DC submersible pump 402, DC powered
pressure switch 414 and the specific conductance sensor 412 to
function as described in FIG. 19A.
[0098] FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative configuration of the
device 400 of FIG. 19, designated as device 500 and consisting of a
funnel subassembly 21 a replaceable hydraulic permeable weir filter
208 sized to fully cover the vault cross-section and to fit closely
onto an SS angle support frame 418 anchored to the interior vault
16 wall and having a rubber or plastic seal 73 largely covering its
horizontal surface and additionally having external SS rods 56
surrounding the OD of the throat 24. Attached to all of these SS
rods 54 are mesh plastic carriers 56 containing disposable plastic
mesh pads 55 which will float with the liquid level to collect
entrained hydrocarbons. The replaceable hydraulic permeable weir
filter 208 is removably secured by movable SS swiveling catches 216
anchored to the interior vault wall 16. The elevation of removably
mounted replaceable hydraulic permeable weir filter 208 creates an
accessible cavity wherein the liquid becomes available to
gravity-feed a suction tube of PVC pipe 512 feeding a hydraulically
powered fluid jet ejector pump 502 (such as U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,628,623, 5,931,643, 6,017,195) mounted below the funnel
subassembly 21 or, as depicted in FIG. 20, in a separate adjacent
vault 504 with a solid cover 506 for fluid jet ejector pump 502
access and a feedwater water 508 line bringing pressure water into
the vault 504 to power the pump.
[0099] Both the vault effluent liquid suctioned from below the
permeable weir subassembly 208 and emitted by the fluid jet ejector
pump 502, and the hydraulic powering feedwater passing through the
fluid jet ejector pump 502 discharge via appropriately sized PVC
piping 512 into the side-exit invert 81 and to vault discharge 19
at a sufficiently high flow rate to drain the vault of water
rapidly enough to prevent mosquito emergence. Feedwater flow
duration and cycle timing is controlled by valves and timers
supplied by the feedwater provider and located at the local site
feedwater source or an alternative location of their choice. In the
hydraulic pumping mode, hydrocarbon spill control is accomplished
by installing a "Rubberizer" filled disposable PVC discharge tube
53 at the point where vault effluent water emerging from the
hydraulic pump enters the discharge invert pipe. Because liquid
discharges from the hydraulic pump under such low pressure, the
spill control method of FIG. 4 will also serve to prevent any
further discharge of liquid until the disposable PVC discharge tube
has been replaced.
Embodiment H
[0100] FIG. 21 illustrates device 600 of the invention, which
provides a means to prevent intermittent freezing from causing
Flo-Master equipment to become non-functional when installed in
top-entry side-exit vaults 80 such as depicted in FIG. 9, in
locales with seasonal climates. Device 600 consists of a funnel 22
and throat 24 modified by the addition of at least two fluid
directing flumes 602 with floating lids 604 which lift under the
force of incoming liquid to allow the liquid to enter the vault
interior space 16, flooding the surface of the frozen floating door
of the involved weir box 112, 121, 131 or 141 and causing the
liquid level to rise until the frozen floating door thaws
sufficiently to open on its own.
[0101] All water treatment equipment requires periodic inspection
and servicing including removal and disposal of settled solids,
cleaning/replacement/disposal of dirty filter media and
replacement/disposal of hydrocarbon/metals collection media, all of
which is subject to site-specific conditions in determining the
appropriate intervals to select for inspection and for servicing.
With the device of this invention, inspection is made easier to
begin with, by being able to look directly into the vault or
functional treatment "container" via the entry grate and entry
funnel pathway and see if standing liquid is visible. In vaults
with the device of this invention automatic drain-down equipment
such as those depicted in FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 8, 17, 19 and 20 it is
then possible to determine if visible standing liquid disappears
within two days. If it does, the self-draining method employed in
that deice is functional. If after two days, without the addition
of runoff water during the interval, there is still visible
standing liquid, it's time to open and inspect the vault, and
perform service as needed. In vaults with the device of this
invention that is not self-draining, such as those depicted in
FIGS. 9, 11, 13, 15 and 21, the "Rubberizer" carrier sub-assembly
100 located inside the throat 24 floats on the standing water,
expected to be typically present in such vaults, to prevent
mosquito ingress/egress via the throat 24.
[0102] Determining when to open the vault for removal of settled
suspended solids or for replacement of hydrocarbon collection media
44, or metals collection media 309, is most efficiently
accomplished using the following periodic inspection method. If
empirical inspection data establishes the need for vault/equipment
service, removal of the grate 12 provides the access needed to
effectively complete inspection of the device of this invention and
vault conditions. Removal of the funnel subassembly 21 brings with
it most (if not all) of the "Rubberizer" carriers 56 or 100 and
enables direct access to the settled solids. The replaceable
permeable filter modules 62, 63, 208, and/or 214 supporting or
surrounding settled solids become easily accessible once drained
solids have been vacuum-removed for disposal. The dirty modules can
then be lifted out of the vault and replaced with the clean spare
modules provided with the unit. The dirty modules can then be
reverse-pressure washed with a hose/nozzle directly into the
restored vault space, becoming spare "clean" modules for next
use.
[0103] Removed settled solids are non-hazardous (except as
described under Spent "Rubberizer" media) below, and can also be
off-loaded into on-site gondola trash for Class A landfill disposal
once the water removal criteria of EPA Method 9095 (in SW-846)
Titled: Paint Filter Liquids Test has been met. The automatic
self-draining features of the device of this invention will have
met the criteria if the surface of the settled solids is free of
standing water. Once removed from the vault space and wearing
disposable gloves for cleaner hands, it is easy to open the plastic
mesh "Rubberizer" carriers 56 or 100, inspect the disposable
plastic mesh pads 55 filled with "Rubberizer" particles 44,
replacing only those pads containing spent media, rather than the
entire contents of a large pouch as is typical of other
manufacturers using "Rubberizer" media. Wiping off the surface of
the spent pads with a paper towel allows them to be disposed of in
on-site trash headed for Class A landfills. Only in the event that
disposable plastic mesh pads 55 have become "spent" as the result
of a hydrocarbon-based liquid spill does this process become more
complex. In such cases, it is still sufficient to wipe off the
exterior surfaces of spent disposable plastic pads 55 as described
above but, all free-standing spilled hydrocarbon-based liquid and
liquid-saturated settled solids must be collected and disposed of
as Hazardous Waste.
[0104] Following this the Flo-Master insert equipment and the vault
interior must be cleaned and the cleaning water included with the
bulk Hazardous Waste for disposal In the event of a
hydrocarbon-based liquid spill, all disposable plastic mesh pads 55
and all permeable weir filter modules, including ADDS modules, must
be considered "spent" and be replaced.
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
[0105] The above presents a description of the best mode
contemplated of carrying out the present invention, and of the
manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear,
concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art
to which it pertains to make and use this invention. This invention
is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate
constructions from that discussed above which are fully equivalent.
Consequently, it is not the intention to limit this invention to
the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, the
intention is to cover all modifications and alternate constructions
coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally
expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and
distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention:
* * * * *