Abstract: A flume for diurnally storing and releasing municipal sewage in its conveyance network of sewers and interceptor piping to reduce peak flow rates in a sewer system and the downstream wastewater treatment plant. The disclosed invention reduces peak flow rates without affecting flow rates below a selected threshold, maintaining minimum flow rates while storing wastewater in sewers and providing features that protect against sewer backups during high flows.

Abstract: A computer-based method and system for executing an auction. The invention discloses a method for conducting an online auction in which a nonredeemable fee is collected from each auction participant to enter the bidder pool for a particular item. The collective nonredeemable fees from all bidders are then allocated to reduce the minimum bid required to purchase the item for the seller's asking price and to pay the transactional costs associated with the auction. Using this invention, a high value item can be purchased at very low cost to the high bidder, without the seller having to accept a reduced price for the item. Furthermore, this invention is amenable to a wide variety of auction systems because the computer-based auction and sale system can ensure the seller obtains their asking price for an item without requiring that the item be awarded to the high bidder.

Abstract: A flume for diurnally storing and releasing municipal sewage in its conveyance network of sewers and interceptor piping to reduce peak flow rates in a sewer system and the downstream wastewater treatment plant. The disclosed invention reduces peak flow rates without affecting flow rates below a selected threshold, maintaining minimum flow rates while storing wastewater in sewers and providing features that protect against sewer backups during high flows.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for diurnally storing and releasing municipal sewage in its conveyance network of sewers and interceptor piping to affect a reduction in peak energy demand and on-peak energy usage at the wastewater treatment plant, and, to reduce peak loadings to wastewater treatment plant clarifiers, aeration basins, channels and pumps, thereby improving plant performance and extending the wastewater treatment plant capacity. Utilization of the existing sewer system provides a way to obtain cost effective electrical cost reductions, flow equalization capacity, or an optimized combination thereof. With the disclosed invention it is possible to equalize wastewater flows, or alternatively to shift flow peaks from the on-peak electric rate periods to the off-peak electric rate periods providing less equalization.