Geoflow SDD in Freezing Conditions
Transcription
Geoflow SDD in Freezing Conditions
Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal FREEZING CONDITIONS Introduction to SDD design for cold climates Agenda Cold climate experience and research Design concepts for cold climate Example system Further design concepts Questions and discussion Geoflow 2 1 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference What is SDD? Application of effluent by drip emitters Applies water directly into the root zone (6-12 inches deep) More evapotranspiration Puts effluent in the most biologically active soil zone Keeps soil drier for better treatment and greater horizontal dispersal 3 Geoflow Drip emitters PC emitters usually have lower flow rates Each dripper has a filter built in at the entry port. Dose Mode When WASTEFLOW PC is pressurized, the rubber diaphragm flexes across the compensating chamber to regulate flow regardless of pressure variances WASTEFLOW Classic Flow varies with pressure Flush Mode. As the pump is powered on and again powered off, system pressure relaxes across the exit hole enabling the dripper to self flush every cycle. Effluent travels through a turbulent flow path that helps keep any fine particles from settling inside the dripper. And slows the flow until flow is laminar at discharge PC = Pressure compensating WASTEFLOW PC = pressure compensating Geoflow Gives same output flow even if emitters are at different levels 4 2 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Water movement from emitter Subsurface drip Surface drip Geoflow 5 Typical Sites If severely constrained for conventional drainfields Depth Slope Shape and slope alignment Size or setbacks Heavy soils Sand/gravel soils Geoflow 6 3 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Other typical sites Where site or ecosystem impact must be reduced Where in soil treatment must be maximized Where irrigation/reuse is a priority For cost savings on large systems 7 Geoflow Typical SDD layout Air valve Shows single lines (not looped) Air valve Dose manifold Dose forcemain Flush main Returns to trash tank inlet Geoflow 8 4 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Geoflow SDD IN COLD CLIMATES Geoflow 9 Research and experience since the 1990s Wisconsin—Bohrer and Converse Minnestota—Scott Wallace, NAWE Wetland applications (various)—NAWE New Zealand—Peter Gearing, URS Colorado and Utah high altitude systems BC (Southern Interior, Prince George) Eastern Washington state (Scott Jones) Small, medium and large systems Geoflow 10 5 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Large Systems under Freezing Conditions Aluminum Smelter (Invercargill, NZ) Disposing 78,000 gallons of human effluent per day over 12.35 acres. Installed May 1998 Consulting Engineer: Peter Gearing, URS Auckland, NEW ZEALAND mailto:peter_gearing@urscorp.com Geoflow 11 Large Systems under Freezing Conditions Yosemite West (Yosemite National Park) 115,000 gpd – about 260 homes. Steep wooded slope down to a fragile stream which is monitored by Fish & Game. Reference: Matt Freeman, DPW, Maricopa County, California. Geoflow 12 6 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Large Systems under Freezing Conditions Tenaya Lodge (Fish Camp, CA) Installed Summer 2000. Slope in excess of 50% at the top of the section. 20,000 gpd. Designed by: Summit Engineering Tel: 707-527-0775 Project overseen by Jack Niblett Tel: 559-692-5340 Geoflow 13 NAWE cold climate wetlands B.P. Casper, Wyoming. Wetland 3.3mgpd by NAWE 14 7 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Shenyang, China vertical flow wetland SSD used for distribution to reed planted wetland with subdrain discharge -25 to -30 C in February/March Improved efficiency 1 sqm/pe vs more normal 2 sqm/pe 6000 person equivalent = 750 cum/day size Blumberg Engineering and NAWE, 2004 Images: Blumberg Engineering. 15 Geoflow SDD distribution system Geoflow 16 8 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference 17 Geoflow . . Minnesota Geoflow 18 9 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference . Minnesota . Minnesota 19 Drip mounds in E. Washington Cold, dry climate Type 1 to sand mound Many systems Only one freezing issue to date Due to winter startup with cold water Short term Geoflow 20 10 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference BC experience Prince George Kelowna Penticton Kamloops No freezing issues even where some conventional systems froze. Even in cold dry climates CAREFUL DESIGN AND INSTALLATION Geoflow 21 Research papers on Geoflow website http://www.geoflow.com/research_w.html Drip Distribution Soil Performance and Operations in a Northern Climate by R. Bohrer Bohrer Thesis Design & Performance of Drip Dispersal Systems in Freezing Environments by S.D. Wallace Geoflow 22 11 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Soil temperature Soil temperature measurement in dispersal systems Temperature found to be higher than ambient Example Roger Shafer, Colorado Septic tank, textile filter and polishing sand filter Standard pressure distribution system Use of a Recirculating Textile Filter followed by a Polishing Sand Filter for Onsite Wastewater Treatment in Colorado’s Fractured Bedrock Environment Roger J. Shafer, P.E., Fractured Rock Aquifers 2002 conference, Denver Colorado, 2002 Geoflow 23 Sand filter temperature maintains above freezing at 1 inch below surface Geoflow 24 12 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Biological activity and freezing Bernhart research (Ontario) Opinion that biologically active, aerobic systems keep warmer And have higher winter evaporation from soil This favors use of Type 1 effluent Geoflow 25 SDD in frozen soils Bohrer and Converse paper and others SDD lines in soil that is below freezing point SDD still functions Geoflow 26 13 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Bohrer and Converse Soil < 0 C at and also < 0 C 4ʺ below dripline Temperatures as low as – 12 C in soil observed Ice crystals found in soil cores, but pores still open Effluent dosing does warm the soil Warm effluent is important Geoflow 27 8 systems monitored in Minnestota, Scott Wallace 7.5 to 60cm cover over dripline Soil below freezing at dripline Temperature between doses lower than surrounding soil with light loading Temperature probes and soil cores Heavier loading showed more dose impact Air valve enclosure design to reduce impact of freezing conditions Geoflow 28 14 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Residential system—light loading 29 Elementary school 30 15 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Saturation issues Installation error led to standing water in dripline at the school in January 2000 Field froze due to high water in tank backing up into dripline Geoflow 31 Air circulation on systems with two air valves Scott Wallace’s paper shows soil at dripline to be cooler between doses than surrounding soils Theorizes this is due to air circulation Effluent warming soil only supported for heavier loadings Consider: Single air valve system Sealed air valve boxes Geoflow 32 16 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference What helps SDD to work in frozen soil? Soil is not saturated Larger pores are not clogged with ice crystals Small doses do not lead to clogging Water has short distance to travel vertically to non frozen soil Some frozen water will sublimate Dripline and manifolds drained down between doses—design and installation is critical Geoflow 33 Geoflow KEY DESIGN CONCEPTS Geoflow 34 17 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Drain back Drain manifolds and dripline back Drain rapidly Any more than 15 mins may freeze Keep it to 10 mins or less Design and also TEST at commissioning Make sure forcemains slope properly And are lower than the dripline Geoflow 35 Insulate Insulate dose and flush forcemains Even when draining back Insulate headworks (if not in pump chamber) Insulate air valves Geoflow 36 18 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Keep the dripline warm Install with 8ʺ cover minimum. Consider temporary insulation (peat, sawdust etc) for first year. Revegetate. Trap snow. Geoflow 37 Keep the effluent warm Insulate lid of tanks and riser lids Create heat island by extending insulation laterally Try to get heat island next to house Use treatment that keeps effluent warmer Type 1 is warmest Keep draining volumes low (reduce cooling of effluent) Geoflow 38 19 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Special case effluent temperature Caution with cold water systems Example highway rest area Caution with startup in winter Caution with seasonal use systems that get used at Christmas… Geoflow 39 Continuous flush Do NOT use continuous flush in cold climates Cools effluent by running it through the field Reduces treatment performance And greater risk of freezing Geoflow 40 20 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Soil type Consider soil drainage Design for the soil Do not allow saturation around emitters Do not allow water to drain along driplines Do not damage soils at installation! Do not use Type 1 in low permeability soils Reduced activity in winter may lead to biomat and saturation near emitters/line Geoflow 41 Site Sloping sites are easier Drainage Frost drainage South facing best Steep slope is even better Tanks below field area preferable But can use less favorable sites Geoflow 42 21 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Climate Heavy snow cover insulates More care where snow is not reliable Consider microclimate 12ʺ cover where shaded, frost hollows Geoflow 43 Site use—some considerations Keep people off the field in the winter Do not compact or remove the snow Try to trap snow Deep vegetation or forest cover preferable Do not compact soils Geoflow 44 22 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Geoflow AIR VACUUM VALVE DESIGN Geoflow 45 Drainback design—Air valves SDD systems need to draw air from air vacuum valves when draining Caution not to allow cold air to circulate through valves and pipes Risk of air valves freezing and either leaking or not allowing air back in for drain down. Prefer to draw warmer air into air valve Air valves are most likely part of system to freeze Try to keep it to one or two valves Regular inspection of air valves 46 23 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Insulated air valve installation Creates heat island at valve Valve draws warm air from deep in soil profile Concept developed from NAWE research In sealed valve box Polylok riser/lid suitable Geoflow 47 Geoflow 48 Air valve detail 24 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Sizing of excavation Base on void space in drainrock fill Geoflow 49 Sealed, insulated air valve boxes Less likely to lead to air circulation in situation with more than one air valve Air is warmer if it does circulate Geoflow 50 25 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Air valve in tank Can install air valve in pump chamber With filter headworks Site specific (tank above field) Will need to drain the manifolds and line to a secondary tank lower down 51 Geoflow Line slopes down to field Air valve Filter Note unions Geoflow 52 26 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Site near Kamloops Design: Chad Meir and Ian Ralston Install: John Pavlovich Drains to tank below field, with small pump to return flows to trash tank. Geoflow 53 Geoflow 54 27 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Geoflow 55 Geoflow 56 28 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Geoflow Summerland system. Design Karen Halliday and Ian Ralston Install Gary Dicken SYSTEM EXAMPLE Geoflow 57 Site and soils Steeply sloping site Slope 40 – 50%, slope to SW Soil Silt Loam BK/2, sl hard. Perk. 34 mins. Shallow soil over shale Constrained soil area Geoflow 58 29 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Single air valve design Sloping dripline Dose and flush connections with pressure test ports Insulated valve boxes! 59 Geoflow Flush connections Air valve Dripline, sloping from dose to flush Second dripline Setback Dose and flush mains Headworks and tanks in insulated heat island Geoflow Flush and dose connections with pressure test ports 60 30 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Headworks flow paths Geoflow 61 NO drain valve, open when pump off Filter drains to pump discharge orifice Pressure regulator Geoflow NC Flush valve. Opens to drain system 62 31 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Air valve Dripline Geoflow 63 Effective drainback System drains back completely in less than 8m 30s Despite small diameter forcemains 1ʺ CTS dose, 3/4ʺ PEX CTS flush Single air valve design Prevents air circulation Reduces complexity Geoflow 64 32 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Small diameter forcemains Reduce recirculation volume Improve time for pressurization Better dose uniformity Lower HAR Proper scouring Attached to 2ʺ PVC with access points. Geoflow 65 Geoflow FURTHER DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS Geoflow 66 33 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Drain back with filter bypass Instead of using drain valve Use a loop around filter with check valve and drain back to pump discharge orifice OK if head is not too high Large orifice for rapid drainage Too much bypass flow with very high head Would not have been suitable at Summerland Geoflow 67 Bypass loop Ball Check valve From pump Pump with discharge orifice To field Flush valve Geoflow Quesnell system Sean Pitcher 68 34 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Drainback design—orifice Allow for orifice flow in pump selection Make sure the system drains back fast enough Test drain time at commissioning 69 Geoflow Valves for drainback (incl. flush valve) Motorized ball valves Model with anti-condensation heater Solenoid valves do not drain effectively Don’t let these end up below water! Geoflow 70 35 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Control panel Must allow for control of drainback and flush drain back Must be able to power motorized ball valves (24VAC) Do not use continuous flush systems Geoflow 71 Drainback with field below tanks Use drain tank at base of field to collect water Send back to trash tank with small pump Options for draining: 2 motorized valves, dose and flush manifolds Single motorized valve to drain flush manifold Geoflow 72 36 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference 2 motorized valves Quick drainage Best for lower slope sites Works with central air valve as well Higher cost and complexity Geoflow 73 Single motorized valve Dripline slopes dose to flush Drain flush manifold with valve, drains dripline also Dose forcemain and dose manifold drain via orifice at lower tank So they don’t have to drain through the field Adjust orifice at commissioning Check pressures with test ports Geoflow 74 37 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Design for maintenance All pressure regulating valves accessible Ensure can measure pressure at end of dripfield (to make sure it isnt frozen) Steel pin at air valve boxes Attach dose and flush mains to 2ʺ pipe to allow steam lance defrosting Find it in the snow Helps to keep grade for drainage also Pre-install heat tape at air valves and headworks Geoflow 75 Drainback on low slope sites NAWE (Scott Wallace) uses system with drainage to low manifolds Darryl Brizan (Prince George) built one system with air clearing Geoflow 76 38 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Drainback on low slope site—modified from NAWE design Recommend using air valve on central manifold (NAWE uses valves on Geoflow manifolds) dose and flush 77 Air clearing Small diaphragm blower used to clear lines between doses Blower in heated basement Continuous flush system Sawdust (few inches) for first season insulation No freezing issues seen Geoflow 78 39 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference Geoflow 79 Compressor and dripline trenches Geoflow 80 40 Geoflow Subsurface Drip Dispersal Systems in freezing conditions 2011 WCOWMA Conference SDD works in cold climates Careful design and installation Don’t try to cut corners For technical support contact: Ian Ralston, Geoflow 250-597-3155 Onsite@traxdev.com Geoflow website http://www.geoflow.com/ Geoflow 81 41