WasteWater generation and
managementIN UNDERGROUND UTILITY VAULTS AND MANHOLES
Presented by Dan Parker, CEO & Founder, C.I.Agent Solutions
undergroundnetworks
most utilities have some types of
differentchallenges
they all have
BUt WHY don’t UtiLities Want to taLK aBoUt tHeir
CHALLENGESWitH UndergroUnd netWorKs?
why the
SECRECY?
PART
UndergroUnd netWorKs
Here’s What We Know
1
of electrical transmissionin the U.S. is
currently underground
18%
Source: Edison Electric Institute, “Out of Sight, Out of Mind 2012: An Updated Study on the Undergrounding of Overhead Power Lines.”
an aging UndergroUnd infrastrUctUre
Until the Great Blizzard of 1888, most of NYC’s electric was overhead.Much of the country’s
underground infrastructure was built in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, and is near or even past the end
of its service lives.
Source: Black & Veatch 2014 Strategic Direction Report
80%
20%
Underground Networks
Manholes Vaults
There are an estimated
undergroundmanholes
undergroundutility vault
per every
Inspection schedules for
vaults/manholes vary by NEED &
REGIONAL LOCATION
maintenance & inspection scHedULes
underground room providing access to energized equipment, such as transformers or switchgear
Utility Vaultsyear
yearsManholes
inspected one time per year,
every
the start and end point of a run of cables through ducts or troughs
25%of scheduled inspections are
delayed by anunforeseen deterrent
Source: Dan Parker’s research and math estimates
deteriorating vaultsDeterrents such as
aging infrastructurebecause of the
Most of the time, underground vaults have no maintenance problems
But when they do, the most common issues are:
Oil
Deb
ris
Wat
er• Chronic water intrusion can overwhelm pump
• Water flow brings debris, oil & sheen, and other pollutants from the surface
• Sediments adsorb/carry hydrophobic toxins
• From street runoff
• From leaking equipment in the vault
1. Water
2. Debris/Sediment
3. Oil/Sheen
PART
WasteWater in VaULts
Dewatering Risks & Tradeoffs
2
WHat deWatering metHods are tHere for WasteWater in VaULts? WHat are tHe RISKS and TRADEOFFS?
Do
noth
ing • Bad for
environment• Negative
public perception
• Risk heavy regulatory penalties and FINES
Ille
gally
dis
char
ge • Negative public perception
• Risk heavy regulatory penalties and FINES
Vac
uum
tru
ck • Expensive to pump and process wastewater
• Time consuming
• Wasted productivity
Aut
omat
ed p
umpi
ng s
yste
m • Correct components must be present to avoid pumping contaminants into storm drain
• Risk of pump failure
• Regular inspections/ maintenance required
Filt
er S
ock • Positive
public perception
• Reduces non-productive time of routine maintenance
• Lower overhead & operation costs
Options for dewatering underground vaults and manholes: Risks & Tradeoffs …
Where there is energized
equipment, should there also be a
pump for wastewater?
Yes!And WHY is that?
don’t MIX
because water & electricity
Source: New York Post article “Underground transformer fire forces evacuations”; Jan. 6, 2014
Deron B. OberkornProduct Development Manager Zoeller Pumps
• Typical sump pumps can process spherical solids sized ½” to ¾” or smaller• About the size of a marble• Anything larger or elongated
will clog the pump
• Items that typically clog/burn up pumps• Sand• Gravel• Cleaning wipes• Trash
deBris & sediment
• No one-pump-fits-all
• Examples:• Improper power/size
• Not designed for short cycling
• Misapplied electric
incorrect appLications
PART
UndergroUnd soLUtions
Passive Protection Systems
3
VaULt sUmp fiLter systems• Complete filtration system protects pump from sediment,
debris, oil & sheen • Components can be used separately or as part of
one complete system• Designed to protect any pump
• Available in round & square (paneled) configurations
White perforated Polypropylene, 0.125 gauge, 3,175 micron holes on ⁄3 16” centers
Filter Housing
deBris & siLt VaULt sUmp fiLter
White Nylon Monofilament fabric filters to 100 micron
Durable, washable & reusable
100µ = .00394 inches, is the average diameter of a strand of human hair, and the length of a dust particle
Did you know?
agent-Q oiL & sHeen fiLter
Four layers of patented* Agent-Q, a unique, non-woven composite fabric structure embedded with C.I.Agent Polymers** for oil solidifications that prevents oil from reaching the pump
One layer of Agent-Q flows 400 gallons/minute/m2
Average grab strength of a nominal 60 pounds (ASTM D5034 testing) and a burst strength of a nominal 70 psi (ASTM D3786 testing)
*U.S. Patent No. 8,986,822**C.I.Agent Solidifying Polymers are listed in the EPA National Contingency Plan Product Schedule* for oil cleanup and are effective in temperatures ranging from -30°F to +130°F.
• Temporary structural vault shoring systems• Designed to mitigate potential failure risks in
underground structures while waiting for repair/replacement
• Not a permanent solution
Source: Strongwell® EXTREN STRUCTURAL FIBERGLASS VAULT SHORING COMPONENTS brochure
PART
UndergroUnd soLUtions
Active Protection Systems
4
eVac fiLtration system
Absorbs hydrocarbonsRemoves large & fine sedimentPolishes the water
eVac fiLtration system
Comes with 2” male cam lock quick connect fitting in a 6.5
gallon UN certified pail
deWatering system add-onsEnhancements to solve ANY
vault and manhole challenge
Super Sediment
FilterEVAC Lite
EVAC Lite Plus
EVAC Lite with Agent-Q
Combo Vinyl Filter Casing w/ Super Sediment Filter and an EVAC
Vinyl Filter Casing w/ Super Sediment Filter
Vinyl Filter Casing
deWatering system add-onsEnhancements to solve ANY
vault and manhole challenge
C.I.Agent Solutions is a global leader in solutions for SPCC secondary containment compliance, vault and manhole maintenance, and hydrocarbon
filtering needs. We’re constantly creating new and innovative solutions to tackle whatever challenges arise within the markets we serve. Have a hydrocarbon
management challenge? We will create a solution.
www.ciagent.com