Storm water delay device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device comprising a coherent manmade vitreous fibre substrate (MMVF substrate) and at least one first conduit (2) and at least one second conduit (3), each conduit having first and second open ends, wherein the MMVF substrate (1) comprises man-made vitreous fibres bonded with a cured binder composition, wherein the first open end of the first conduit and the first open end of the second conduit are each independently in fluid communication with the MMVF substrate, wherein the first conduit is at a greater height than the second conduit, wherein at least a portion of the MMVF substrate is disposed between the first and second conduits. The MMVF substrate provides for an increased water storage ability due to the hydrophilic behaviour of the substrate and its increased surface.

Claims

1. A device comprising a coherent man-made vitreous fibre substrate (MMVF substrate) and at least one first conduit and at least one second conduit, each conduit having first and second open ends, wherein the MMVF substrate comprises man-made vitreous fibres bonded with a cured binder composition, wherein the first open end of the first conduit and the first open end of the second conduit are each independently in fluid communication with the MMVF substrate, wherein the first conduit is at a greater height than the second conduit, wherein at least a portion of the MMVF substrate is disposed between the first and second conduits, wherein two or more outer surfaces of the MMVF substrate is adapted for direct contact with the ground so that water held in the MMVF substrate passes through the two or more outer surfaces and thereby dissipates directly into the ground, wherein the first open end of each of the first and second conduits is at least partially embedded in the MMVF substrate.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the volume of the device is 25 to 50,000 m.sup.3.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the volume of the device is 100 to 30,000 m.sup.3.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the MMVF substrate has a density in the range 60 to 200 kg/m.sup.3.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the MMVF substrate has a density in the range 75 to 150 kg/m.sup.3.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the MMVF substrate comprises a wetting agent.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the MMVF substrate has opposed first and second ends and the first conduit is in fluid communication with the first end of the MMVF substrate and the second conduit is in fluid communication with the second end of the MMVF substrate.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the MMVF substrate comprises a first passage in fluid communication with the first open end of the first conduit, wherein the passage extends from the first open end of the first conduit towards the second end of the MMVF substrate.

9. A device according to claim 7, wherein the MMVF substrate comprises a second passage in fluid communication with the first open end of the second conduit, wherein the passage extends from the first open end of the second conduit towards the first end of the MMVF substrate.

10. A method for using the device according to claim 1 as a storm water delay device, the method comprising positioning the device in the ground in such a way that the first conduit is at a greater height than the second conduit, whereby water flows along the first conduit and is absorbed by the MMVF substrate, and water leaves the MMVF substrate via the second conduit.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second conduit is in fluid communication with a water collection point.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the water collection point is a tank or a reservoir.

13. A method of installing a storm water delay device, the method comprising positioning a device according to claim 1 in the ground in such a way that the first conduit is at a greater height than the second conduit, wherein the first conduit is in fluid communication with a source of water and wherein the second conduit is in fluid communication with a water collection point.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the device is covered with earth.

15. A method of delaying the arrival of water at a water collection point, the method comprising providing a device according to claim 1, positioning the device in the ground in such a way that the first conduit is at a greater height than the second conduit, wherein water flows along the first conduit and is absorbed by the MMVF substrate, and water leaves the MMVF substrate via the second conduit and is conveyed to the water collection point.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the water collection point is a tank or a reservoir.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first conduit is positioned at a greater height than the at least one second conduit so that water leaves the MMVF substrate through the at least one second conduit.

18. A device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more outer surfaces of the MMVF substrate constitute a bulk of a surface area defining the one or more outer surfaces.

19. A device according to claim 1, wherein all of the outer surfaces of the MMVF substrate is adapted for direct contact with the ground so that water held in the MMVF substrate passes through the one or more outer surfaces and thereby dissipates directly into the ground.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a device comprising one MMVF substrate

(2) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a device comprising two first conduits

(3) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a device comprising two second conduits

(4) FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a device with first and second passages

(5) FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a device comprising three MMVF substrates

(6) FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a device comprising three MMVF substrates and first and second passages.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of two MMVF substrates

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(8) FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a MMVF substrate 1, in fluid connection with a first conduit 2 and a second conduit 3, where the first conduit is positioned higher than the second conduit. The first conduit 2 is in fluid communication with a water source 5. The second conduit 3 is in fluid communication with a water collection point 6. The device is positioned in the ground 4. The first and second conduits are shown at opposite ends of the MMVF substrate, but they could also be on the same end of the MMVF substrate, or different ends of the MMVF substrate.

(9) FIG. 2 shows a MMVF substrate 1a in fluid communication with a two first conduits 2a and 2b. Each first conduit 2a and 2b is in fluid communication with water source 5a and 5b respectively. The second conduit 3a is in fluid communication with the MMVF substrate 1a and with a water collection point 6a. The first conduits are both positioned higher than the second conduit. The first conduits may be at different heights and they may be on the same, or a different side of the MMVF substrate. The first and second conduits are shown at opposite ends of the MMVF substrate, but they could also be on the same end of the MMVF substrate.

(10) FIG. 3 shows a MMVF substrate 1c in fluid communication with a first conduit 2c. The first conduit 2c is in fluid communication with water source 5c. There are two second conduits, 3c and 3d in fluid communication with the MMVF substrate 1c. Each of the two second conduits 3c and 3d is in fluid communication with water collection points 6c and 6d respectively. The first conduit is positioned higher than the second conduits. The second conduits may be at different heights and they may be on the same, or a different side of the MMVF substrate. The first and second conduits are shown at opposite ends of the MMVF substrate, but they could also be on the same end of the MMVF substrate, or different ends of the MMVF substrate.

(11) FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a MMVF substrate 1e in fluid communication with a first conduit 2e and a second conduit 3e. A first passage 7e extends from the first conduit 2e into the MMVF substrate 1e. A second passage 8e extends from the second conduit 3e into the MMVF substrate 1e. Both passages are shown as extending the majority of the way through the MMVF substrate, but may extend only partly into the MMVF substrate. Each of the passages preferably has apertures to allow the water to flow into or out of the MMVF substrate.

(12) FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of three MMVF substrates 1f, 1g and 1h in fluid communication with each other. A first conduit 2f is in physical contact with the MMVF substrate 1f and a water source 5f. A second conduit 3f is in physical contact with the MMVF substrate 1h and a water collection point 6f. The first conduit 2f and the second conduit 3f are both in fluid communication with each of the MMVF substrates 1f, 1g and 2h. Water will enter the device via the first conduit and leave the device via the second conduit. There may be more MMVF substrates, or more first and second conduits as required.

(13) FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of three MMVF substrates 1i, 1j and 1k in fluid communication with each other. A first conduit 2i is in physical contact with the MMVF substrate 1i and a water source 5i. A second conduit 3i is in physical contact with the MMVF substrate 1k and a water collection point 6i. The first conduit 2i and the second conduit 3i are both in fluid communication with each of the MMVF substrates 1i, 1j and 1k. Water will enter the device via the first conduit and leave the device via the second conduit. There may be more MMVF substrates, or more first and second conduits as required. A first passage 7i extends from the first conduit 2i into the MMVF substrate 1i. A second passage 8i extends from the second conduit 3i into the MMVF substrate 1k. Each passage may extend into all three MMVF substrates, or into only one or two of them. Each of the passages preferably has apertures to allow the water to flow into or out of the MMVF substrate.

(14) FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of two MMVF substrates 1l and 1m with 1l on top of 1m. The first conduit 2l is in fluid communication with the MMVF substrate 1l and a water source 5l. The second conduit 3l is in fluid communication with the MMVF substrate 8m and a water collection point 6l. Each MMVF substrate has a passage, 8l and 8m respectively. Passage 8l is in the top half of MMVF substrate 1l and passage 8m is in the bottom half of MMVF substrate 1m. This shows that two MMVF substrates, each with a passage can be used to form a storm water delay device.

(15) Multiple MMVF substrates may be arranged in any way, provided that they are each in fluid communication with at least one first conduit and at least one second conduit.

(16) It will be appreciated by the skilled person that any of the preferred features of the invention may be combined in order to produce a preferred method, product or use of the invention.