TECHNOLOGY REVIEW

WILMINGTON IRON & METAL COMPANY

STORMWATER REMEDIATION

Prepared by
Augustine A. Egbo
ASTRA ENGINEERING COMPANY

Jan 10, 2010

 TABLE OF CONTENT

Section Page

Section 1: Executive Summary 3

Section 2: Technology Recommendation for WIM 3

Section 2: Introduction 3

Section 3: Strategy Adopted for Review 5

Section 4: Hydrodynamic Separators 7

Gravity Separators 8
Stormceptor System
BaySaver Separator
Swirl Concentrators 16
Aqua-Swirl Concentrator
CONTECH (Vortechs) Separators
Down Stream Defender
Oil-Water Separators - PRABMOLAN 20

Section 5: Filter Media Treatment System 28

Stormwater Rx Aquip Filter
CONTECH (Vortechs) Stormwater Filter
Aqua-Filter
Stormfilter System
BaySaver Filter System
CDS Filter
Up-Flo Filter

Section 6: Review Conclusion 29

Section 7: Costs for Selected Technologies 30

Section 8: Appendix A 25

TARP TIER I Hydrodynamic Comparison Result 26

NJDEP Interim Certification of Stormwater Treatment Devices

Section 9: Appendix B 30

Sample Full Cost Analyses

Section 10: Appendix C 35

Up-Flo Filter NCAT Verification
AquaShield Filter NJCAT Verification
 Section 1: Executive Summary

We conducted extensive reviews of stormwater treatment technologies. Five hydrodynamic separators for
sediments and floatables removal and seven filter media advanced treatment technologies were reviewed.

The hydrodynamic separators comprising of two gravity separators and three that have the swirl (vortex)
technology concept incorporated into their design. The seven Filter Media advanced treatment technologies
reviewed are configured either as purely filter media unit or integrated with a hydrodynamic that serve as a
pretreatment system.

The strategy adopted for this review is to choose a minimum criterion that every technology selected to be
reviewed must meet. That minimum criterion for including a treatment technology in the review process is that
it must have undergone the verification process performed by the New Jersey Corporation for Advanced
Technology (NJCAT) based on the protocol set out by the Technology Acceptance Reciprocity Partnership
(TARP) organization, constituted by eight states (California, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, and Virginia).

Based on the NJCAT/TARP reviews, where available, vendor sponsored performance analyses based on
installed units, and our technical evaluation of technology concept, and some cost data, we selected the Up-Flo
and Aqua-Swirl filter systems as the most probable stormwater treatment options for deployment at Wilmington
Iron & Metal (WIM). Final selection between the two probable technologies would be made after site pavement
improvement plan is firmed up or implemented.

The two probable technologies selected have hydrodynamic separators built-in and would cost less than a
treatment train that would comprise of a pretreatment unit preceding a final filter media unit. Individually, a
hydrodynamic separator costs range from $7000 to $12,500 and Filter Media units cost from $30,000 up
depending on capacities, site specific function, and vendor.

Another observation is that high capacity treatment trains are cast in place and small to moderate units are more
likely to be modular, made of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). Modular units are lighter and easier to
install.

We reviewed coolant recycling technologies and oil-water separators. Based on data from WIM site we
recommended the use of PrabMonlan evaporator to eliminate the water fraction of disposed oil-water waste and
subsequently cut by about 25% disposal cost. The mid range unit selected would cost about $20,000.
 Section 2: Technology Recommendation

Following our comprehensive stormwater treatment technologies review and given our knowledge of
Wilmington Iron & Metal (WIM) site pavement improvement plans we recommend either the AquaFilter or Up-
Flo Filter systems as possible pollution prevention technology to be deployed at WIM. These two recommended
treatment technologies have combined hydrodynamic separators and advanced treatment Filter Media in a single
configuration and both have high removal efficiencies in the NJCAT (New Jersey Corporation for Advanced
Technology) verification reviews.

Either of the two technologies coupled with planned site pavement improvement plans would provide adequate
stormwater pollution prevention for WIM facility and gain approval from regulatory agencies. The hydraulic
application rate (HAR) to be determined from local precipitation rates and pollutants concentration determined
from laboratory analyses of site stormwater effluent samples would provide needed information for sizing of
chosen pollution prevention technology. The information sought would provide the realistic design parameters.
Any attempt to cost a treatment unit without technical and site physical data could lead to over or under sized
system. Either scenario would have serious cost and pollution prevention implications.

All the technologies reviewed are discussed in some detail in sections 4 and 5 for hydrodynamic separators and
filter Media Systems respectively. The Up-Flo Filter is highly recommended because the system presents the
simplest configuration to maintain and smallest comparable foot print. The filter media are housed in modules
that are easily lifted out and the bags of media replaced. Further, the Up-Flow filter is designed with effective
flow through pretreatment that could be oversized for longer intervals between cleanout of deposited sediments.
Finally, the filter media module, housing two bag layers of media can be mixed matched to give it a broad
spectrum performance of dealing with heavy metals and organics all at once.

Aqua-Filter, also recommended, presents a similar function capability except that its hydrodynamic separator
pretreatment unit is distinct unit but attached to the Filter Media unit to form a treatment train. Over sizing of
the pretreatment unit to provide larger sediment containment will certainly attract slight increase in cost. The
Aqua-Filter is modular and that would make it easy to install without the use of heavy lifting equipment. One
other advantage that the Aqua-Filter may have is that its pretreatment hydrodynamic separator is a swirl type
technology and has slightly better sediment removal efficiency.

Overall, both technology options would provide adequate stormwater pollution prevention for WIM at
comparably less cost and also gain agency approval because they both have undergone the NJCAT verification
program.
 Section 3: Introduction

The objective of this technology review is to determine the most appropriate stormwater treatment technology or
combination of technologies that would address Wilmington Iron and Metal Companys (WIM) on-going
stormwater management efforts.

WIM is located at 2149 State Route 68 South, Wilmington, Ohio 45177, an area that is not classified as a
critical water resources area. WIMs primary business is scrap metal recycling and falls into the industrial
category with sic 5093.

Among the many potential contaminants that are of concern to WIM are suspended solids (metal shavings
sediments), petroleum hydrocarbons, dissolved metals, and hazardous chemical pollutants contained in coolants.

Currently, WIM is grading the entire site to eliminate standing water and plans to pave the surface with concrete
to minimize tracking of mud and muddy stormwater run-offs.

The site layout provided in Appendix D, shows the current site use layout, scrap receiving and separation bay,
covered areas coolant sump, compaction area for different metal piles, and several heaps of scrap metal parts.

Currently, the site has taken steps to minimize stormwater pollution by not accepting scraps with free oils. Also,
coolant containing parts are recycled in a covered building and coolant wastes are conveyed through concrete
ditches to an existing but undersized Vortech gravity separator. Also channeled to the existing Vortech gravity
separator is stormwater run-offs from the open metal shavings heaps, baled cupper wires, recycled galvanized
junction boxes, and crushed iron and scraps in the open yard.

This review is looking at stormwater treatment technologies that proven and have been verified by
NJCAT/TARP organizations. NJCAT, a public-private partnership, oversees the lengthy, rigorous verification
programs required to provide guidance on the use of newly available Best Management Practices in the
environmental field. Government and private groups in the state of New Jersey and in many other states
consider NJCAT's stamp of approval a critically important credential when determining which equipment to use
for stormwater management projects. NJCAT works closely with The Technology Acceptance and Reciprocity
Partnership (TARP), formed by eight states to evaluate and share scientific data on technology performance of
environmental protection solutions. By sharing data and standardizing testing methods, TARP aims to help
agencies streamline approval processes and contractors make informed purchasing decisions. TARP member
states are California, Massachusetts, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and New Jersey.

The review looked at hydrodynamic separators for sediment and floatables (oil, grease, debris) removal and
Filter Media systems for dissolved metals, organics, finer sediment and nutrients removal.

A typical cost estimate for a prototype unit shall be provided as example but actual cost for WIM site would
require firm design parameters like annual area precipitation, site pavement plans, sample of pollutants
concentration in stormwater runoffs.
 Section 3: Strategy Adopted for Review

Wilmington Iron and Metal (WIM), being a scrap recycling facility, it is expected that Stormwater pollutants
would consist of the typical for that industry trash debris, sediments, turbidity, oil and grease, heavy metals,
and organic chemicals (hazardous and non-hazardous). Giving the expected array of pollutants, the overall
stormwater remediation system may consist of a treatment train that include a trash collector, a hydrodynamic
separator, and a stormwater management filter to meet stringent effluent requirements. Trash collectors may be
as simple as sieve baskets placed in stormwater conveyances or as complex as Continuous Deflective Separators
(CDS). In the last decade, several technology reviews have been conducted by various organizations but the
two most recognized are the New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technologies (NJCAT) Program and TARP
(Technology Acceptance and Reciprocity Partnership) review. Our strategy in this review is to only evaluate
technologies that have undergone reviews by either NJCAT or TARP and could achieve reasonable pollution
prevention at comparatively lower overall costs. This is critical because all vendors of stormwater treatment
technologies claim efficiencies that can only be validated through standardized review methodologies as is
the case with NJCAT and TARP.

Hydrodynamic Separators provide two main functions gravity sedimentation and floating debris, including oils
and grease. Given the right physical conditions, any solids or particles heavier than water will settle out and
debris including oils and grease, lighter than water will float to the surface. In principle all hydrodynamic
separators perform the same function, however, different manufacturers give their units unique configuration to
enhance performance and claims to competitive advantage. The unique configuration has resulted in two
hydrodynamic separator categories the gravity separator and the swirl concentrator. Six Hydrodynamic
separators considered here consists of two gravity separators and four swirl concentrators

Gravity Separators
1. Stormceptor System
2. BaySaver Separator

Swirl Concentrators
1. Continuous deflective separators
2. Vortechs Separator
3. Aqua-Swirl Separator
4. Downstream Defender

Oil-Water Separators

Filter Media Treatment Systems are designed to be function for specific, depending on pollutant(s) to be
removed, effluent requirements, and type and character of the filter media loaded. The five Filter Media
Systems reviewed here include:

1. StormwaterRx Aquip
2. AquaFilter
3. Contechs Filtration System
4. BaySaver Filter System
5. StormFilter
6. CDS Filter System
7. Up-Flo Filter System

Section 4: Hydrodynamic Separators

Technically, hydrodynamic separators are devices that use the energy in moving fluid to separate the entrained
contaminants by exploiting flow dynamics and differences in components densities. A hydrodynamic separator
is classified as either a gravity separator or a swirl concentrator. Gravity separators exploit differences in
densities while swirl concentrators exploit the pattern of fluid flow to enhance components separation.

Gravity Separators:

1. Stormceptor
System Description
The Stormceptor is a gravity separator, and could function as a good pretreatment system for a
comprehensive stormwater management train. It is a vertical oriented cylindrical precast concrete
structure with reinforced fiberglass partition inserts that divide the structure into the upper and
lower chambers. Stormwater flow is controlled by weirs, by-pass orifices. Figure 4.1 shows parts
that make up the Stormceptor System.

Figure 4.1: Stormceptor System

Stormceptor systems are manufactured by CSR, Kansas City, Missouri. They have nine model sizes,
diameters of 4 -12 ft and maximum treatment flow velocities of 0.18 2.5 cfs. This translates to hydraulic
application rates (HAR) of 6.3 9.8 gpm/ft2. Storage capacities for settled sediments range from 1.730.7
yd3 and for floatable debris, from 85 1096 gallons. Influent stormwater flows directly into the lower
chamber, where sediments drop to the bottom by gravity and floating oil is retained under the fiberglass insert
separating the upper from the lower chamber. The inlet drop-tee has two holes that direct water to the
circumference of the lower chamber. This circular design of the lower chamber prevents turbulent eddies
and promote settling. It confers the same characteristics as would swirl concentrators. A submerged pipe,
below the floating oil in the lower chamber, conveys water out of the unit. Excessive flows into the unit due
to high intensity storm events greater than the design flow capacity overflows the inlet weir, bypassing
treatment to exit the unit without scouring (re-entraining) settled sediments in the lower chamber. The high
flow internal bypass is an integral part of the Stormceptor.

Like all hydrodynamic separators, the Stormceptor system does not remove dissolved and emulsified
pollutants from water. To function properly, the settled sediments and floating oils and debris must be
cleaned out at some intervals, determined by the sizes of storage compartments for settled and floating
debris.

A TARP TIER I Hydrodynamic Comparison Results from analyses of several studies of

hydrodynamic separators by approved labs found the Stormceptor to perform better than its competition,
with the highest percent sediment removal of 75%. (See Appendix A)

The capital cost for the Stormceptor system separator, model SA900, installed is about ten thousand
dollars (S10,000). Estimated operating and maintenance cost is projected to be about fifteen percent (15%)
capital cost.

Delivery time for the Stormceptor system ex-works is approximately 6-8weeks.

1. Baysaver Separator

System Description
The BaySaver Separation System is another hydrodynamic separator categorized as a gravity
separator. The BaySaver Separator is one of the stormwater technologies analyzed in the NJCAT
and TARP reviews. It is one hydrodynamic separator that is truly a gravity separator without any
component that induces swirl flow character. Although BaySaver claim higher performance
effectiveness, the TARP TIER I hydrodynamic comparison results, puts the BaySaver TSS removal
effectiveness at 51%.

Figure 4.2 shows a schematic of a BaySaver Separation System. It is made up of two precast
manholes, described as a primary manhole that is placed in-line and the storage manhole, placed
off-line. Influent stormwater containing pollutants enters the system by first passing through the
Primary Manhole where coarse sediments settles out, while the flow passes over a weir and routed
to the Storage Manhole. Upon entering the Storage Manhole, some of the finer sediments settle out
to the bottom while the lighter floatables oils, grease, and other debris float to the surface of the
Storage Manhole. The inlet pipe below the surface of the Storage manhole conveys treated storm
water out of the to a weir that connects to a pipe that
empties into the primary manhole on the discharge side.
 Figure 4.2: BaySaver Separator Components

A second pipe conveys water from the storage manhole to be discharged from the unit downstream
of the weir. During high intensity storm event, excessive stormwater flows over the weir and
discharge out of the unit. This prevents high flow from entering the storage manhole and re-
suspending settled sediments.

Figure 4.3: BaySaver Separator Schematic

There are other configurations of the BaySaver separator, including a single cylindrical structure
that resembles other hydrodynamic separators with exit drain lines for the floatable and the treated
effluent.
 Swirl Concentrators

Aqua-Swirl Concentrator
The Aqua-Swirl concentrator is one of many hydrodynamic separator using swirl technology developed
in the 1960s in Britain. They exploit density differences and hydraulic flow pattern to separate
stormwater settleable sediments and floatable oils, grease and debris. A typical Aqua-Swirl
Concentrator is provided in Figure 4.4. It is a modular unit, constructed with High-Density
Polyethylene (HDPE).

.
The Aqua-SwirlConcentrator removes of sediments, floating debris, and free-oil. Stormwater flows into the
system via a tangential inlet pipe, which induces a circular (or vortex) flow pattern. As a result of the vortex,
sediments are subjected to both gravitational and hydrodynamic drag forces, causing the solids to drop out of the
flow and accumulate toward the center of the chamber where velocities are the lowest. After each storm event,
water is retained providing calm environment to enhance both quiescent and dynamic settling of inorganic
solids. The dynamic settling occurs during each storm event, while the quiescent settling takes place between
successive storms. The effluent leaves the treatment unit from behind the arched outer baffle. The top of the
baffle is sealed across the treatment channel, preventing the floatable pollutants from escaping the system. A
vent pipe is extended up the riser to expose the backside of the baffle to atmospheric conditions, preventing a
siphon from forming at the bottom of the baffle.
The weighted removal efficiency determined by NJDEP is 60.1% from data obtained using Aqua-Swirl
Concentrator model AS-3 at different percentage flow rates of design capacity of 1.8 cfs.
Vortechs Stormwater Treatment System

Vortechnics, Inc; manufacturer of Vortechs stormwater treatment systems has been bought over by
Contech Stormwater Solutions but the stormwater technologies made popular by Vortechs are still
marketed under the brand name. The Vortechs hydrodynamic separators are among some of the popular
brands of stormwater treatment technologies for the removal of suspended solids, oil and other floating
debris. Vortechs and VortSentry (Model VS40) were among the hydrodynamic separators reviewed by
NJCAT and were respectively determined to perform at 64% and 69% TSS removal efficiency.

The hydrodynamic separator is designed to specific flow capacities and may be prefab or cast in concrete.
Like most hydrodynamic separators, the principle of operation is based on gravitational separation and flow
dynamic, slowing down the influent flow velocity and allowing dense solids to settle and less dense debris
to float to the surface.

Vortechs Hydrodynamic Separator

The Vortechs Stormwater Treatment System and VortSentry are hydrodynamic separators designed to enhance
gravitational separation of floating and settling materials from stormwater flows. SThe influent stormwater enters
the units tangentially, creating a cone-like gentle swirling motion that promotes settling. As stormwater circles
the grit chamber, pollutants migrate toward the center of the unit where velocities are the lowest. The majority of
settleable solids are left behind as stormwater exits the grit chamber via two apertures on the perimeter of the
chamber. Next, buoyant debris, oil and grease are separated from water as it flows under the baffle wall.
Stormwater then exits the system through the flow control wall and ultimately through the outlet pipe. At this
point it is relatively free of floating and settling pollutants.
The units should be inspected periodically and trapped floatable and pile of accumulated sediments
should be vacuumed off for proper disposal.

VortSentry
 VortSentry is a smaller footprint version of
Vortechs Separator and has improved TSS removal
efficiency

Both Vortechs and VortSentry would function as stand-alone if the main concern is sediments and floatable
pollutants or as pretreatment units preceding an advanced treatment technology where stringent effluent
requirement must be met. Some unique designs incorporated into these systems include baffles walls, circular
grit chambers, and flow control orifices to manage peak flows and prevent discharge of floatables during
extended and heavy storm events.

Sizing for specific application would need estimates of stormwater flow volume and discharge requirement.
Depending on site specific requirements, sizes range from 9ftx3ft to 18ftx12ft. The costs for these
hydrodynamic separators range from $10,000 to $40,000, plus shipping and installation.

Downstream Defender

The downstream defender is another hydrodynamic separator with some advanced features that mae it a
highly efficient swirl concentrator compared to other similar separators. It is among the hydrodynamic
separators that were evaluated using the NJCAT/NJDEP protocol and was determined to have TSS removal
efficiency of 70% at up to 125% of its design flow capacity (0.75 -13.0 cfs) for micron sizes ranging from
53-300 microns.

Some of the unique features of the Downstream Defender are the flow modifying components that enhance
sedimentation at broad operating flow velocities. The outer annular space coupled with the tangential influent
entry, inducing a conical downward spin that enhance sedimentation and at the same time forcing the oil and
floatable contaminants to rise to the surface. The bottom skirt and center cone redirect the rotating flow up and
inward between the center shaft and dip plate cylinder away from the stored sediment. The outlet pipe discharges
treated effluent from within the dip plate cylinder ensuring the longest possible residence time.
Oils, trash and floatable debris rise to the water surface and are trapped in the oil and floatables storage
volume (yellow zone).
As flow continues to spiral down around the dip plate cylinder, low energy vortex motion directs sediment inward
along the benching skirt and into the protected sediment storage zone (brown zone).
As with all hydrodynamic separators, the accumulated sediments and floatable are periodically removed using a
vacuum truck.
Downstream Defender comes in sizes varying from 4-10ft in diameter and process flows ranging from 26
74gpm/ft2. Larger units are cast in place.
Depending on size, capital and installation costs range from $10,000 to $35,000 per precast unit
Oil-Water Separators - Evaporators
The oil-water mixture from WIM site, from 2010 waste oil-water waste data, averages 2700 gallons. Minimum
was 850 gal and maximum 4500 gallons. It was also estimated that make up is about 80% oil and 20% water.
Most oil-water separators are designed to handle mixtures with less than 20% oil. Oil-water separators cannot
handle waste compositions with more oil than water effectively. The most appropriate technology for reducing
waste volume in WIMs case is the use of evaporator that would flash off the water to reduce the volume of oil
waste to be disposed.
PRABMOLAN electric or gas evaporators (depending on volume of oil-water waste) is the best option for
reducing volume of waste oil-water mixture disposed of at cost to the facility.

There are three models HEVAP10, HEVAP15, and HEVAP30. The HEVAP10 is a low volume evaporator
with 5-8gph evaporative capacity and uses electric power source. The HEVAP15 is mid range capacity
evaporator, with 10-15gph, and the HEVAP30 is high capacity evaporator with 25-30gph treatment rate.
HEVAP15 and HEVAP30are gas powered with 120v for instrumentation and controls.
Regressing WIMs oil-water waste data for 2010, about 60,000 gallon was disposed at an average cost of
$0.31/gallon. Preliminary estimate from a company staff puts the waste at about 20 percent water and 80% oil.
With this composition, it is estimated that a $4000 savings per annum could be realized with any of the evaporators
and payback time will depend on which unit is installed (see appendix D for detail cost estimates).
 SECTION 5: Stormwater Filter Media Technologies

Stormwater filter systems are usually deployed when very stringent effluent requirement must be met in order to
protect sensitive or critical environmental areas. Often stormwater filters are the final treatment technology in a
stormwater treatment train. Most of the vendors producing hydrodynamic separators also have complimentary
stormwater filters for advanced treatment requirement and, often, have combined treatment package.

All the Stormwater filter systems are based on filter media technologies and specific requirements would
determine the kind the media adopted for a particular treatment. If the requirement is to reduce fine particles
and subsequently turbidity, the filter media will comprise of inert filter media. If the requirement is to reduce
organic pollutants, the filter media will comprise activated carbon and for dissolved heavy metals the filter
media would be adsorptive filter media.

The difference in this class of stormwater filter treatment systems, as in the hydrodynamic separation systems is
mostly in the flow hydrodynamics, physical and chemical properties of the filter media, and overall reliability
and costs (capital, operation and maintenance).

Among the systems reviewed here are - StormwaterRx Aquip, CONTECHs StormFilter (Vortech Stormwater
Filter Media System), Aqua-Filter from AquaShield Inc, Stormfilter system from Srormwater Management,
Inc; CDS Filter; Up-Flo Filter. These systems have either been evaluated by NJCAT, NJDEP, or have
undergone the TARP review. Only Aquip have not undergone the NJCAT verification. Most of these
technologies are in service at similar facilities to WIM.

StormwaterRx Aquip Filter Unit

StormwaterRX has developed three technologies, the Clara, Aquip, and the Puru Polisher, for different levels of
stormwater remediation. Depending on the goals of the stormwater remediation, it may require only one or a
combination to achieve the remediation goals. The Aquip is an advanced media filtration system but has not
been reviewed by NJCAT/TARP organization, however, the manufacturer do have independent studies to back
up the removal efficiency claims.

The Aquip is described as an enhance wastewater treatment technology based on media technology, capable of
removing dissolved pollutants such dissolved metals, organics and nutrients. Although the media makeup is not
described, but such media is most likely a combination of metal active compounds with chemical adsorption
properties such as ion exchange resins. A mixed bed resin capable of adsorbing dissolved metals, organics and
nutrients must be replaced when the active properties are exhausted. Such a pollution control technology would
require a pretreatment system to precede its installation, protecting it from bulk suspended solids and some
amount of free oil. The pretreatment system is intended to enhance the reliability of the Aquip, prolong the life
of the media, and reduce the operating and maintenance costs.

Aquip is available in several performance levels, each specifically designed for the reduction of stormwater
pollutants such as oils, suspended solids, turbidity, and heavy metals. Targeted metals include copper, zinc,
iron, lead, aluminum, nickel and cadmium. A few detail studies have been conducted by independent
organization to validate performance claims of Aquip compared to similar technologies. .
 Installation at Atlas Iron & Metal Company, Aquip Model Unit at StormwaterRx, Inc.
Los Angles California

Figure 5.1

Aquip, above is installed on a concrete slab and the main components include a steel shell, water tight chamber,
filtration chamber layered with inert/adsorptive filter media layered up to 27 inches high, top and under drain
piping. It is usually open top for easy access and maintenance.

Stormwater to be treated is collected in a catchment basin that feed a sump well from where the stormwater is
pumped to the Aquip treatment system. A typical cost estimate for Aquip Model 80SB is about $48,500. The
complete estimate in Appendix D as was provided to a boat yard client. Other costs may include unit housing
for cold weather regions, catchment basin, sump well and pump shipping, installation, etc.

In studies conducted by the manufacturer of Aquip, StormwaterRx, during test runs for a boatyard installation,
Aquip performed better than 90% removal for heavy metals, organics and 80% TSS. However, the Aquip has
not undergone the NJCAT verification and certification deemed as the major criteria for acceptance in the
industry and regulatory agencies.

Aqua-Filter Stormwater Filtration System

The Aqua-Filter Stormwater Filtration System is a filter media based technology similar to StormwaterRx
Aquip. Aqua-Filter is among some stormwater filter technologies that have been evaluated and received interim
approval from NJDEP after reviews by NJCAT and TARP. The NJDEP has estimated TSS removal efficiency
of the combined Aqua-Filter treatment train at 84.6%. Vendor would probably supply data for removal
efficiencies for other pollutants such as heavy metals, organics, and turbidity.

The Aqua-Filter system comes as a combined treatment train made up of two-component structure, consisting
of a Swirl Concentrator (using vortex enhanced sedimentation technology) designed for pre-treatment of
stormwater runoff followed by a Filtration Chamber (using media filtration technology) capable of removing
finer sediments and water-borne pollutants. A schematic of the Aqua-FilterStormwater Filtration System is
provided in Figure 4.8:
 Figure 5.2: Aqua-Filter Stormwater Filtration System

Depending on the site specific pollutants, a variety of natural filter media or synthetic media are used in the
filtration chamber to complete the treatment process to remove fine sediments and water-borne pollutants.

Sizing of the Aqua-Filter unit is site specific, because of the combined structure of the Swirl concentrator and
filtration chamber. The Vendor has tables that they use to assist potential clients to determine appropriate size
based on treatment goals and site specific pollutants. The Aqua-Filter may vary from one to sixteen rows of
filter cartridges. There are 3 filter sections per row; each has a surface area of approximately 4-square feet,
therefore supplying a total of 12-square feet per row of filters. There are open grids on the bottom of each filter
section where 4, 6-inch thick filters, are placed to form 2 layers in a pattern to avert short-circuiting of the water
flow. Accordingly, there are 12 filters and approximately 12-cubic feet of filter media per row.

The Filter Chamber is designed to facilitate distribution of the pretreated water above the filter
bed and control the flow rate to each row using proprietary post filtration hydraulic restraints.
Bulkheads are positioned at each end of the filter bed to evenly distribute and restrain incoming
water, create gravitational pressure for water to permeate the filters, contain captured pollutants
during peak flows and provide structural support. The bulkhead design allows a maximum 10-
inch water level above the filters. The principals of the post filtration flow are based on
controlling flow through orifices. The post filtration hydraulic restraints ensure each row of
filters receives a maximum flow of 60gpm (20gpm per filter).

CONTECHs StormFilter
Contechs Stormfilter is formally known as Vortechs Stormwater Filter Media System. This particular
stormwater technology is a tertiary treatment technology, like the Aquip and AquaFilter and must be preceded
by a pretreatment system that would remove bulk sediments and debris, free oil, and grease.
The hydraulic design is based on rainfall method or high flow control and either method used in conjunction
with laboratory generated data.
This media filter technology is similar in function to the other systems in the same category. Depending on site
requirements, the media could be inert for fines filtration or adsorptive media such as activated carbon, zeolite,
or some special media. This unit lie the AquaFilter has received the NJCAT/NJDEP certification with 79%
removal efficiency for TSS.

StormFilter System A media filter System Filter Cartridge

Figure 5.3: Contechs Filter

Depending on the size and configuration of the unit, the system could contain from a few to several
cartridge filter units linked by the under-drain manifold. The filter system is designed to operate with
siphon device triggered by the stem inside the filter unit. Polluted storm water flows horizontally outside to
inside through the cartridge filter media and collects in the center tube where the float valve is in a closed
(downward) position. As water continues to flow into the center, enough hydrostatic pressure builds to
force air out of the top of the stem thereby raising the stem and allowing filtered water to flow down the
under drain and discharge out of the unit. This causes the check valve to close, initiating a siphon that
draws polluted water throughout the full surface area and volume of the filter. Thus, the entire filter
cartridge is used to filter water throughout the duration of the storm, regardless of the water surface
elevation in the unit. This siphon continues until the water
surface elevation drops to the elevation of the hoods scrubbing regulators, and the float returns to a closed
position. Utilizing the hydraulic potential in the cartridge, the scrubbing regulators cause the filter surface
to be clean of attached sediments thus extending the filters operational life.

The filter cartridge comes in two sizes 27 and 18 and the top valve on the cartridge filter is used to
adjust flow rate through the filter up to 2gpm/ft2.

Stormfilter System

The StormFilter system and the Contech Stormfilter system are very similar except that the StormFilter System
has in-built pretreatment compartment that function similar to hydrodynamic separators. It is also a passive
flow through filtration system. The filter media material is function specific and the mechanism of operation is
based on siphon and check valve lift or close. This unit has also undergone NJCAT/NJDEP review and has TSS
removal efficiency varying from 73 -79% depending on influent flow rate. Stormfilter removes TSS, oil and
grease, soluble metals, nutrients and organics. It has been installed to treat storm water runoff from a wide
variety of sites including retail and commercial developments, residential streets, urban roadways, freeways and
industrial sites such as shipyards, foundries, etc.
The StormFilter is typically comprised of a vault that houses rechargeable, media-filled filter
cartridges. A typical StormFilter configuration is shown in Figure 5.4

Figure 5.4: StormFilter Precast

Storm water from storm drains is percolated through media-filled cartridges, which removes
particulates and adsorbs materials such as dissolved metals and hydrocarbons. Surface scum, floating
oil and grease are also removed. After passing through the filter media, the storm water flows into a
collection pipe or discharges to an open channel drainage way. Inherent in the design of the
StormFilter is the ability to control the individual cartridge flow rate with an orifice disk placed at the
base of the cartridge. The maximum flow rate through each cartridge can be adjusted to between 5 and
15gpm.

The StormFilter is offered in five basic configurations: precast, linear, catch basin, cast-in-place,
and corrugated metal pipe form. The precast, linear, and catch basin models use pre-manufactured
units to ease the design and installation; cast-in-place units are customized for
higher flows and may use either uncovered or covered underground units. The corrugated metal
pipe units are customized to meet special site requirements.
BayFilter

The BayFilter System is another cartridge filter technology for stormwater treatment. Just like all media
filter technologies, function is site specific. Like the Contech and StormFilter, the BayFilter operation
mechanism is Siphon and check valve dependent.

Figure 5.5:

The filter size is comparable to those of Contech and StormFilter. BayFilter has also been through the
NJCAT/NJDEP/TARP review. TSS removal efficiency was determined to be 82.7%.

Performance against other pollutants such as heavy metals, organics, and nutrients will be similar since
media and operation mechanism are comparable and we must rely on vendor provided case studies to
draw any inferences.

The BayFilter system building block consists of the outer shell or vault and the spiral wound filter cartridge
housed in the vault. The discharge pipe drains into a bottom manifold and like both the Contech Filter
and Stormfilter unit the flow is driven initially by hydrostatic head and concluded by siphon action. The
process cycle ends with the siphon break and a temporary reversal of flow through the media, with some
degree of media backwash. This process is repeated interchangeably.

One information that is lacking from most vendor supplied data impact of TTS loading rate on filter
media life.

A Bayfilter treatment system can be as small as a single cartridge filter system or several such units
contained in a vault or sump depending on site requirement.
CDS Filter

The CDS Filter media technology for stormwater remediation is similar to other media technologies so far
presented but differs in mechanism since it does not use the siphon mechanism. The media used is similar and
function specific. DCS filter technology has undergone NJCAT/NJDEP verification and determined to have a TSS
removal efficiency of 82.7%

The building block of the CDS technology is the filter unit.

As influent stormwater enters the vault, it spreads beneath the cartridges where large particles settle out. As the
water level rises in the vault, dirty water penetrates the media, with filtered water entering the perforated drain
tube in the center of the media unit. According to vendor design claim, flow capacity of each cartridge unit is
approximately 3gpm. The perforated center tubes collecting filtered water drain to the collector manifold
through the flexible outlet pipes that connects to the filter unit via a quick connect coupling.

.
Figure 5.6: CDS Filter Vault
The float controlled slide gate is the mechanism of flow control through the filter unit. The float begins to open
the slide gate as water level in the filter unit rises to the top of the filter cartridges and treated water drains out of
the vault. When the stormwater runoff begins to recede, the water level inside the filter cartridges and
subsequently inside the collector manifold drops and the float level begins to fall, gradually closing the slide
gate. When the next storm run-off comes, the cycle is repeated. The manifold is plumbed to a float-controlled
slide gate that sets the overall operational control of the Media Filtration System to achieve a balance, matching
inflow and driving head level.

The remaining water is slowly released after filtration via leakage around the slide gate until the vault is drained
to the outlet pipes invert level, optional complete drain-down of entire vault designs are available. This
operation of the slide gate assures that the media is not exposed to hydraulic forces, which can destabilize and
induce channelization through the media.

Cartridges are positioned 18 above the vault floor providing a volume for settling larger heavier sediments
below the cartridges, therefore preventing occlusion of the media resulting from sediment buildup. The
supporting system of the cartridges has obtained a patent. The system when operating at a 20 gpm/cartridge
design loading rate has an up-flow velocity of approximately 3-mm/sec. At this up-flow velocity, theoretically
(Stokes Law), particles greater than 75-m (No. 200 Sieve) with a specific gravity of 2.65 will settle in the area
beneath the cartridges, consequently removing a significant amount of solid mass and pollution associated with
these medium to coarse size particles from the storm water runoff.

CDS Technologies, Inc., has determined that the most cost effective and efficient system can be achieved by
setting the cartridge height at about 75% of the head available to operate the system. The practical low head
cartridge is at a 12-in height and would require 16-in of head (4 inches above top of cartridge). The practical
tallest cartridge is limited to 22-inches in height where about 27-inches of head (5 inches above top of cartridge)
would be required.

The work done to date sets the maximum practical cartridge height at 22-in. This has been determined by the
operating head conditions and practical equipment manufacturing, as opposed to maintenance considerations.
The spent cartridge when wet is expected to weigh 160-pounds, which is manageable with commonly available
mechanical hoisting equipment.
Up-Flo Filter System

The Up-Flo system is one of the most innovative stormwater treatment technology concepts available and
incorporate hydrodynamic separator as a pretreatment to the filter media advance treatment technology. The
Up-Flo System has undergone NJCAT/TARP review and was shown to have greater than 80% TSS removal
efficiency. Other tests showed between 73 to 93% removal efficiencies.

The Up-Flo Filter is a passive subsurface filtration system and very easy to retrofit existing
stormwater manhole. It can be supplied as a complete unit in precast manhole or vault for large
capacity hydraulic application rates. The modules can house one to six filter modules.

Other tests by independent laboratories show high removal efficiencies for other pollutants - hydrocarbons,
nutrients, metals, etc; and all this at comparably much higher hydraulic application rates.

The Up-Flo filter system consists of an angles stainless screen plate to capture trash and large debris, the filter
module, by-pass siphon, floatable baffles, inlet/outlet ports, and filtered down drain. The filter module consists
of media bags, top and bottom flow distribution mats, and integral media restrain.

Stormwater enters the chamber and flows up through the angled screen and filter modules. The treated water
flows out of the filter media/module and discharges into the outlet pipe. Excess flows beyond the hydraulic
application rate discharges directly to the outlet by way of a siphonic by-pass which doubles as a floatable baffle
that prevent the escape of oils and floatable debris. The filter modules have down drains to prevent saturation
in-between storm events.

The driving head or water column above the top of the Media Bags imposes an upward pressure
on the media. This causes the individual particles in the filter media to shift from a resting state to a
fluidized state, allowing the entire media strata, rather just a few inches, to be used in the filtration
process, thus increasing the length of filter run.

Section 6: Review Conclusion

This technology review involved extensive literature and technology review. Since the stormwater rule took
effect in 1990, several stormwater remediation technologies have been introduced and but not all have
undergone the rigorous verification programs offered by certified organizations or laboratories.
Two organizations that are highly regarded and have been in the forefront of verifying technology performance
claims by vendors and eventual certification are the Technology Acceptance and Reciprocity Partnership
(TARP) and New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technology (NJCAT) Program. TARP is formed by eight
states to evaluate and share scientific data on technology performance of environmental protection solutions.
TARP member states include California, Massachusetts, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia,
and New Jersey. Most other states in the US look to these organizations for guidance (see Appendix C for
TARP protocol).

From the review, we conclude that advance technologies for more stringent requirement are basically the same.
Differences are only in configurations and presentations. The filter media used is dependent on specific
function. A perlite, carbon, or resin media will perform the same function regardless of configuration which
may impact system performance. Our choice in this category of treatment technologies would be decided based
on costs, ease of operation and maintenance.

The hydrodynamic separators have evolved from the traditional gravity separators to include swirl
concentrators. Some units have designs that incorporate swirl technology to enhance sedimentation.
Our review found that hydrodynamic separators that perform 70% or better in sediment removal have
some sort or elaborate swirl technology configuration incorporated in the units design.

Equipment cost for hydrodynamic separators vary from $7000 - $12,500 and over $30,000 for Filter
Media technologies. However, actual cost would depend on many factors such as hydraulic
application rates (HAR), pollutants of interest and their concentrations, and other local conditions.

The term oil-water separators is too broad but technically, the percent composition does affect which
type of separator is being referred to. In the case of WIM, where 80% of the liquid waste disposed at a
cost is oil then an evaporator is recommended. The evaporator chosen and presented in this review,
the HEVAP15 is a mid range evaporator from PRAB, a proven technology in industrial filtration.
Equipment cost is about $19,000, having an average operating cost of $0.12 - $0.15/gal. (More detail
costing presented in Appendix B).
 Appendix A

TARP TIER I Hydrodynamic Comparison Results

- TARP Protocol
Section 8: Appendix B