System and process for removing contaminants from storm water

Abstract

A system for treating storm water in situ within a storm water drainage system includes a process chamber and treatment material that is contained within the process chamber. Preferably, the treatment material is a material that is effective in removing heavy metals from storm water, such as zeolite. A first passageway is provided for admitting storm water from the storm water drainage system into the process chamber. A second passageway is provided for returning storm water from the process chamber back to the storm water drainage system. Also disclosed is a method of retrofitting conventional storm water drainage systems so as to render them capable of effectively removing heavy metals from storm water passing therethrough.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of removing heavy metals from storm water, comprising: 
 (a) positioning a treatment system within a drainage space through which storm water is designed to flow, said treatment system comprising a process chamber in which a treatment material that is capable of absorbing heavy metals from storm water is disposed, said treatment system further comprising a first passageway for admitting storm water from the drainage space into the process chamber and a second passageway for permitting treated storm water to return from the process chamber to the drainage space; and    (b) permitting storm water to flow through the drainage space, whereby it is at least partially treated by the treatment system.    
     
     
         2 . A method of removing heavy metals from storm water according to  claim 1 , wherein said treatment material comprises a zeolite material having an ion exchange capacity.  
     
     
         3 . A method of retrofitting a storm water drainage system for the purpose of reducing heavy metal contamination of storm water that may flow therethrough, comprising: 
 (a) reconfiguring a storm water drainage system that has a drainage space through which storm water is designed to flow by installing a treatment system, the treatment system comprising a process chamber in which a treatment material that is capable of absorbing heavy metals from storm water is disposed, the treatment system further comprising a first passageway for admitting storm water from the drainage space into the process chamber and a second passageway for permitting treated storm water to return from the process chamber to the drainage space; and    (b) permitting storm water to flow through the retrofitted storm water drainage system.    
     
     
         4 . A method of retrofitting a storm water drainage system according to  claim 3 , wherein said treatment material comprises a zeolite material having an ion exchange capacity.  
     
     
         5 . A system for treating storm water in situ within a storm water drainage system, comprising: 
 a process chamber;    treatment material contained within said process chamber, said treatment material being capable of absorbing heavy metals from storm water;    a first passageway for admitting storm water from the storm water drainage system into said process chamber; and    a second passageway for permitting treated storm water to return from the process chamber to the storm water drainage system.    
     
     
         6 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 5 , wherein said treatment material comprises a zeolite material having an ion exchange capacity.  
     
     
         7 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 5 , wherein said process chamber comprises a receptacle that is constructed and arranged to be positioned beneath a storm drain.  
     
     
         8 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 7 , wherein said receptacle comprises a bottom surface for supporting said treatment material and at least one sidewall, and wherein said second passageway is defined in said sidewall.  
     
     
         9 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 7 , further comprising an access opening defined in said receptacle for permitting said treatment material to be removed and replaced with new treatment material.  
     
     
         10 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 9 , further comprising a removable cover positioned over said access opening.  
     
     
         11 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 5 , wherein said treatment material is contained within at least one mesh bag that is positioned within said process chamber.  
     
     
         12 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 11 , wherein said mesh bag comprises engagement means for permitting said bag to be engaged and lifted for deployment and maintenance purposes.  
     
     
         13 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 5 , further comprising bypass means defining a bypass passage, said bypass passage being capable of handling a bypass flow of at least 5000 gallons per minute.  
     
     
         14 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 5 , further comprising filter means positioned in said first passageway for preventing debris from entering said process chamber.  
     
     
         15 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 5 , wherein said process chamber is defined within a vault, said first passageway being defined within said vault in communication with a first storm water conduit, said second passageway also being defined within said vault and being in communication with a second storm water conduit.  
     
     
         16 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 15 , further comprising filter means positioned within said first passageway for preventing debris from entering said process chamber.  
     
     
         17 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 15 , further comprising treatment material retention means for preventing said treatment material from escaping into said second passageway.  
     
     
         18 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 17 , wherein said treatment material retention means comprises a screen that is positioned between said process chamber and said second passageway.  
     
     
         19 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 15 , further comprising a first access opening defined in said vault for permitting said treatment material in said process chamber to be removed and replaced with new treatment material.  
     
     
         20 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 19 , further comprising a second access opening defined in said vault for permitting debris to be removed from said first passageway.  
     
     
         21 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 19 , further comprising a removable cover that is mounted to removably cover said first access opening.  
     
     
         22 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 15 , further comprising positioning means located in said process chamber for positioning said treatment material within said process chamber.  
     
     
         23 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 5 , wherein said process chamber is defined within a conduit, said first passageway comprising an upper portion of said conduit, said second passageway comprising a lower portion of said conduit that is constructed and arranged to permit storm water to drain into surrounding soil.  
     
     
         24 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 23 , further comprising filter means positioned within said upper portion of said conduit for preventing debris from entering said process chamber.  
     
     
         25 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 24 , wherein said filter means comprises a debris basket that is removably positioned within said upper portion of said conduit, said debris basket being shaped and sized so as to be removable by withdrawing said debris basket through said upper portion of said conduit.  
     
     
         26 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 23 , wherein said conduit is positioned so as to be substantially vertical in orientation.  
     
     
         27 . A system for treating storm water according to  claim 23 , wherein said lower portion of said conduit is positioned within a drainage chamber, said lower portion of said conduit having at least one drainage opening defined therein for permitting storm water to flow therefrom into said drainage chamber.  
     
     
         28 . A method of removing heavy metals from storm water, comprising: 
 introducing into a storm water drainage system a treatment material that is capable of absorbing heavy metals from storm water.    
     
     
         29 . A method of removing heavy metals from storm water according to  claim 28 , wherein said step of introducing into a storm water drainage system a treatment material that is capable of absorbing heavy metals from storm water comprises deploying the treatment material in at least one mesh bag.  
     
     
         30 . A method of removing heavy metals from storm water according to  claim 29 , wherein said step of deploying the treatment material in at least one mesh bag comprises utilizing a tool to engage and lower the mesh bag into the storm water drainage system.  
     
     
         31 . A method of removing heavy metals from storm water according to  claim 28 , wherein said treatment material comprises a zeolite material having an ion exchange capacity.  
     
     
         32 . A method of removing heavy metals from storm water according to  claim 31 , wherein said zeolite material having an ion exchange capacity is selected from the group consisting of Chabazite and Clinoptilolite.  
     
     
         33 . A method of removing heavy metals from storm water according to  claim 28 , further comprising a step of performing a maintenance operation on the treatment material.  
     
     
         34 . A method of removing heavy metals from storm water according to  claim 33 , wherein said step of performing a maintenance operation on the treatment material comprises removing the treatment material and replacing it with new treatment material.