Upflow Filtration for the Treatment of Stormwater at Critical Source Areas

Abstract

One approach to the treatment of urban runoff is to treat the runoff from critical source areas before it mixes with runoff from less pollutant areas. Some of the general features of critical source areas appear to be large paved areas, heavy vehicular traffic, and/or exposed heavy equipment, materials or products. The control of runoff from relatively small critical source areas (such as loading docks, fueling areas, small maintenance yards, etc.) may be the most cost effective approach for the treatment/reduction of stormwater toxicants. However, in order for a treatment device to be usable, it must be inexpensive, both to purchase and to maintain, and be effective. Upflow filtration of stormwater was tested during both controlled tests, and under actual rainfall conditions, during SBIR1 (Small Business Innovative Research) and SBIR2 research funded by the US EPA. This chapter summarizes the work presented by Pitt, et al. (2005), Khambhammettu (2006), and Pitt, et al. (2006) reporting on this research. Upflow filtration was originally developed to overcome some of the problems associated with conventional filtration. The most serious problem is that downflow filters clog relatively quickly, reducing the treatment flow

Filter Media for Nutrient Removal in Natural Systems and Built Environments: II—Design and Application Challenges

“…Engineered soil mix that provides stormwater treatment through filtration has been deemed as a sustainable source control option (Ellis, 2007), and various types of applications have been promoted recently in the context of green infrastructure systems (Sanz et al, 1996;Hsieh and Davis, 2005;Seelsaen et al, 2006). Khambhammettu et al (2006) used an upflow filter to treat runoff from highly contaminated critical source areas before it mixed with runoff from less-contaminated areas. They studied a field application of the upflow filter inserted into a catch basin that achieved reductions of 70% for suspended solids, 65% for turbidity, and 18% for phosphorus (Khambhammettu et al, 2006).…”

“…Khambhammettu et al (2006) used an upflow filter to treat runoff from highly contaminated critical source areas before it mixed with runoff from less-contaminated areas. They studied a field application of the upflow filter inserted into a catch basin that achieved reductions of 70% for suspended solids, 65% for turbidity, and 18% for phosphorus (Khambhammettu et al, 2006).…”

Field-Scale Evaluation of a Floating Media Bed Reactor for Nutrient Treatment in a Wet Detention Pond

“…Sorption media has been incorporated into upflow filter configurations and found to effectively operate in nutrient reductions in stormwater systems. Khambhammettu et al (2006) found that a field upflow filter achieved 18% reduction in phosphorus, 70% reduction in suspended solids, and 65% reduction in turbidity. While Ryan et al (2010) recorded a 29% reduction in TP and a 47% reduction in TN for an upflow filter installed near the outlet of a pond.…”

Nutrient Reduction in Stormwater Pond Discharge Using a Chamber Upflow Filter and Skimmer (CUFS)

“…Upflow filters have the advantage of longer run times and less maintenance than traditional downflow filters due to the design of the filter. Khambhammettu et al (2006) used an upflow filter to treat runoff from highly contaminated critical source areas before it mixed with runoff from less contaminated areas. They studied a field application of the upflow filter inserted into a catch basin that achieved reductions of 70% for suspended solids, 65% for turbidity, and 18% for phosphorus (Khambhammettu et al 2006).…”

“…Khambhammettu et al (2006) used an upflow filter to treat runoff from highly contaminated critical source areas before it mixed with runoff from less contaminated areas. They studied a field application of the upflow filter inserted into a catch basin that achieved reductions of 70% for suspended solids, 65% for turbidity, and 18% for phosphorus (Khambhammettu et al 2006). There are upflow filters commercialized for runoff treatment in stormwater inlets, and the successful integration of an upflow filter filled with the green sorption medium connected with surface skimmer could provide a new BMP to improve the quality of stormwater runoff.…”