Urban runoff water treatment methods and systems

• US 20030024863A1
• Filed: 03/29/2002
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clear Creek Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Clear Creek Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Gannon, Guy Timothy, Gannon, Joseph Charles
• Granted Patent: US 7,160,441 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/134
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 36/02 Combinations of filters of different kinds B01D29/50, B01D33/35 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/001 Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/281 using inorganic sorbents
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/32 with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/78 with ozone C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/001 Runoff or storm water
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/008 Mobile apparatus and plants, e.g. mounted on a vehicle for biological treatment C02F2203/008
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/40 Liquid flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/42 Liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/00 Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy

Abstract

The apparatus and methods of the present invention enable efficient and appropriate treatment of Urban Water Runoff, so that the treated Urban water Runoff can be can be introduced into public waterways without contaminating such waterways. The system apparatus utilizes adsorptive Organoclay media, mechanical filtration and ultraviolet sterilization. The methods and apparatus of the present invention remove contaminants from Urban Water Runoff to a level which enable the resulting effluent to meet appropriate standards for introducing the treated Urban water Runoff in to public waterways. The method and apparatus of water treatment of the present invention does not utilize chlorine containing compounds which, when combined with organic compounds can produce THM'"'"'s that can become problematic when re-introduced to the downstream environment. The systems of the present invention can be made sufficiently compact so as to enable their use in remote locations.

Claims

1. A method of treating water from Urban Water Runoff for submission into public waterways, the method comprising:

Capturing untreated water;

Applying a mechanical filtration device to the water under treatment so as to reduce any elevated levels of particulate matter contained therein;

Applying an adsorptive media filter to the water under treatment so as to reduce any elevated levels of hydrocarbon matter contained therein;

Applying a sterilizer to the water under treatment so as to reduce any elevated levels of at least one of any bacteriological and viral contaminants contained therein; and

Discharging the water under treatment to a public waterway.

2. A system for treating Urban Water Runoff for submission into public waterways, the system including:

A water inlet, said inlet being arranged to allow the water under treatment to enter the system;

A first mechanical filter, said mechanical filter being arranged to reduce any elevated level of particulate matter in the water under treatment;

A first adsorptive media filter, said first adsorptive media filter being arranged so as to reduce any elevated level of hydrocarbon contaminants in the water under treatment;

A sterilizer, said sterilizer being arranged so as to reduce any elevated levels of viral and bacterial contaminants in the water under treatment;

A programmable logic unit, said programmable logic unit being arranged so as to control the actuation of the mechanical filter, adsorptive media filter and sterilizer; and

A water outlet, said outlet being arranged to allow the water under treatment to exit the system.

3. The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first mechanical filter is a multi-media bed particulate filter.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said first mechanical filter is a composite string filter.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein said first mechanical filter is a replaceable bag filter.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein said first mechanical filter includes at least two of:

A multi-media bed particulate filter, a string wound particulate filter and a removable bag filter.

7. The system of claim 2 wherein said adsorptive filter utilizes an organoclay media.

8. The system of claim 3 wherein said adsorptive filter and utilizes an organoclay media.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein said adsorptive filter utilizes an organoclay media.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein said system includes an ozone generator, said ozone generator arranged to operate in side stream with said adsorptive media filter so as to avoid bio-fouling of said adsorptive media filter.

11. The system of claim 2 wherein said system includes a reverse osmosis filter, said reverse osmosis filter being arranged so as to purify the water under treatment just prior to said water being discharged from the system.

12. A system for treating Urban Water Runoff, said system comprising a water inlet, said inlet being arranged so as to allow water under treatment to enter the system, a mixed media bed particulate filter, said mixed media bed particulate filter having a backwash line, an adsorptive media filter, said adsorptive media bed filter having a backwash line, an ozone generator, said ozone generator being arranged in side stream with said adsorptive media filter, an ultraviolet light disinfectant chamber, at water outlet, said outlet being arranged so as to allow water to exit the system, a plurality of electronic valves, and a programmable logic unit, said programmable logic unit being electronically connected to said electronic control valves, said electronic control valves and said programmable logic unit being interoperable so as to control the flow of water under treatment through the system.

13. A system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said system further includes an ozone generator for oxygenating a portion of the water under treatment, a plurality of electronic control valves, said electronic control valves being interposed between said ozone generator and said adsorptive media filter for controlling flow of oxygenated water under treatment so as to prevent bio-fouling of said adsorptive media filter, at least one electronic control valve also being disposed between said mixed media bed particulate filter and said adsorptive media filter so as to enable the automatic control of the actuation of said components, an electronic valve in the backwash of at least are of the adsorption filter and mechanical filter backwash electronic control valves being arranged to be interoperable with said programmable logic controller so as to permit said programmable logic controller to automatically and selectively backwash said filter.

14. A system for treating Urban Water Runoff of claim 12 wherein said system is arranged on a trailer so as to permit periodic use of said system in a rugged feel environment.

[periodic usage]

15. A system for treating Urban Water Runoff of claim 12 wherein said multi-bed mixed media filter uses Unigrain 85, a spherical based crystalline silica;

Unigrain 55, an almandite gemstone high retention garnet; and

, Unifil 475, a graded support material.