Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system filter has a hollow, perforated, inner structure inside a hollow, perforated, outer structure that define an annular gap that receives granular filtering media retained by an (optional) media liner. An outer filter surrounds the outer structure. An (electric) pump may be located within the inner cavity of the inner structure or external to the system filter. When deployed in an underground vault, vault water flows through the outer filter, the outer structure, the outer portion of the media liner (if present), the filtering media, the inner portion of the media liner (if present), and the inner structure into the inner cavity from where the pump moves the filtered water out of the vault. The outer filter and/or the media liner may have a lipophobic, hydrophilic material that allows water to pass while blocking lipids without having the lipids adhere to the material.

Abstract: A filter has a sealing portion and a filtering portion coupled to the sealing portion. The sealing portion is configured to form a seal with an inner surface of a conduit to inhibit the liquid from passing through the conduit outside of the filter assembly. Further, the sealing portion has a passage therethrough to permit the liquid to pass through the sealing portion into the filtering portion. The filter also has any combination of one or more of the following characteristics: (i) the filter is installable flush with or entirely below the inlet of the conduit, (ii) the filter has an oil-solidifying substance that solidifies oils, such as hydrocarbons, passing through the filter, and (iii) the filter has an oleophobic and hydrophilic substance that inhibits oils from passing through the filtering portion.

Abstract: A multi-layer filter sock is fabricated from materials selected to preferentially remove certain contaminants. For example, a first layer of the filter sock removes relatively fine particulates (such as rust), and another layer removes hydrocarbons. One exemplary hydrocarbon filter material can be made from delustered synthetic fibers. In one exemplary embodiment, the multi-layer filter sock includes an inner pre-filter layer configured to remove relatively larger particulates, another layer configured to remove relatively finer particulates, and a hydrocarbon removing layer. Such a filter sock can be used to remove rust from waste water used to flush fire suppression sprinkler systems, and particulates and hydrocarbons from waste water from underground vaults, enabling such waste water to be discharged directly into the ambient environment.

Abstract: Bacterial discharge from a storm water system is substantially eradicated or at least greatly reduced by providing a filter having a filtration and anti-microbial medium, disposed in sump areas of the storm water system. The medium both removes hydrocarbons and kills bacteria in storm water that is retained in sump areas after a storm event. The filter is disposed in the retained water within the system, rather than being positioned merely as a pass-through filter, thereby increasing the contact time between the anti-microbial agent and the bacteria so that large amounts of bacteria are eradicated, and explosive bacterial growth within the sump areas is precluded prior to such bacteria being flushed from the system during the next storm event. The anti-microbial agent is adhered to, combined with, impregnated in, or otherwise joined to the filtration media. Filtration media that includes delustered synthetic fibers is a very efficient absorbent.

Abstract: An adsorbent hybrid filtration fabric device that comprises a first layer of a loose fiber adsorbent material in the form of a fabric or wadded mass ideally suited for adsorption or filtering of hydrocarbon contaminants comprising a plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic synthetic fibers, a plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic synthetic fibers, and additional absorption, adsorption, reactive or ionic components, typically in a granular form, wherein the added treatment component is embedded, fused or otherwise adhered to the fabric material, wherein the embedded treatment component is disposed between two layers of fabric material, the second layer of fabric material being identical to the first layer or composed of a synthetic polymer material.

Abstract: A sorbent and filter media material produced from a mass of delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers. In one embodiment the fibers are mixed together to form a cohesive wad of fibers. The wad has a substantial volume of internal interstices available to absorb a liquid hydrocarbon or an organic liquid, and the surfaces of the fibers also adsorb that liquid. The combination of adsorption and absorption enables the sorbent to sorb up to twenty times it own weight of hydrocarbon or organic liquid. Preferably a majority of the fibers are of a relatively shorter length, while a minority of the fibers are of a relatively longer length. The longer fibers help bind the wad together into a cohesive mass that has a substantial volume of internal interstices. After a short time during which the hydrocarbon is sorbed, the wadded mass can be collected, pressed to recover the hydrocarbon, and recycled.

Abstract: A sorbent and filter media material produced from a mass of delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers. In one embodiment the fibers are mixed together to form a cohesive wad of fibers. The wad has a substantial volume of internal interstices available to absorb a liquid hydrocarbon or an organic liquid, and the surfaces of the fibers also adsorb that liquid. The combination of adsorption and absorption enables the sorbent to sorb up to twenty times it own weight of hydrocarbon or organic liquid. Preferably a majority of the fibers are of a relatively shorter length, while a minority of the fibers are of a relatively longer length. The longer fibers help bind the wad together into a cohesive mass that has a substantial volume of internal interstices. After a short time during which the hydrocarbon is sorbed, the wadded mass can be collected, pressed to recover the hydrocarbon, and recycled.

Abstract: A sorbent and filter media material produced from a mass of delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers. In one embodiment the fibers are mixed together to form a cohesive wad of fibers. The wad has a substantial volume of internal interstices available to absorb a liquid hydrocarbon or an organic liquid, and the surfaces of the fibers also adsorb that liquid. The combination of adsorption and absorption enables the sorbent to sorb up to twenty times it own weight of hydrocarbon or organic liquid. Preferably a majority of the fibers are of a relatively shorter length, while a minority of the fibers are of a relatively longer length. The longer fibers help bind the wad together into a cohesive mass that has a substantial volume of internal interstices. After a short time during which the hydrocarbon is sorbed, the wadded mass can be collected, pressed to recover the hydrocarbon, and recycled.