Watershed runoff drainage device & method
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.
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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.
DEFINITIONSThe 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.
“Rectangular-shape” includes square-shape and square.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDevices 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.
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 INVENTIONThis 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.
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.
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.
Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims that follow, some, but not necessarily all, of its features are:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The watershed runoff drainage device of this invention may be installed in either a bottom exit vault or a side exit vault
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.
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.
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.
These features are not listed in any rank order nor is this list intended to be exhaustive.
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
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- (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
- (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.
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 DRAWINGSome 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:
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
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- (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,
- (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
- (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.
Referring to
This device 20 may be installed in a typical rectangular configured top-entry bottom exit drain inlet vault 10 (
As shown in
Further, the ADDS device 34 is welded to the suspended weir box 28, or removably connected thereto as depicted in
Another embodiment of this invention illustrated in
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.
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
Also positioned on each permeable weir filter element 63 is an alternative “Rubberizer” carrier 111 depicted in detail in
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.
As shown in
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.
This embodiment as illustrated in
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
Influent liquid enters the metals collection subassemblies 303 when they are installed in device 20 of
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
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
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.
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.
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 INVENTIONThe 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:
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 19, 2005
Publication Date: Oct 20, 2005
Applicant:
Inventors: David Belasco (Anaheim, CA), Glenn Barth (Santa Ana, CA)
Application Number: 11/109,562