US5264134A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of filtering pollutants from storm water
Assignee: Environmental Quality Resources Inc
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Filing: 1992-03-10
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Granted: 1993-11-23
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Expires: 2012-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided of removing hydrocarbon pollutants from a surface of a body of water in a storm water filtration system containing an oil separation chamber including a removable top cover to provide access to the chamber for removing oil, a side wall with a storm water inlet, another side wall with a filtered storm water outlet in a region of the chamber lower than the inlet and an overflow storm water outlet located above the filtered storm water outlet. A porous container having an interior filled with oleophilic and substantially buoyant material is located upon the surface of the water in the oil separation chamber so that oil floating on the surface of the storm water in the chamber is adsorbed by the oleophilic and substantially buoyant material. The porous container is tethered to a mount fixed to a wall of the chamber so that the porous container is prevented from clogging and passing through the overflow outlet and so that the porous container can be removed from the oil separation chamber after a period of use.
Inventors
- 👤 Carter McCamy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:05
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03F; E03F5/00; E03F5/14; E03F5/16; B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/0208; B01D17/0214; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/10; E03F1/00; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of removing hydrocarbon pollutants from a surface of a body of water in a storm water filtration system containing an oil separation chamber including a removable top cover to provide access to the chamber for removing oil, a side wall with a storm water inlet, another side wall with a filtered storm water outlet in a region of the chamber lower than the inlet and an overflow storm water outlet located above the filtered storm water outlet, said method comprising the steps of: locating a porous container having an interior filled with oleophilic and substantially buoyant material upon the surface of the body of water in the oil separation chamber so that oil floating on the surface of the water in the chamber is adsorbed by the oleophilic and substantially buoyant material; and tethering the porous container to a mount fixed to a wall of the chamber so that the porous container is prevented from clogging and passing through the overflow outlet and so that the porous container can be removed from the oil separation chamber after a period of use.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of removing hydrocarbon pollutants from a surface of a body of water in a storm water filtration system containing an oil separation chamber including a removable top cover to provide access to the chamber for removing oil, a side wall with a storm water inlet, another side wall with a filtered storm water outlet in a region of the chamber lower than the inlet and an overflow storm water outlet located above the filtered storm water outlet, said method comprising the steps of: locating a porous container having an interior filled with oleophilic and substantially buoyant material upon the surface of the body of water in the oil separation chamber so that oil floating on the surface of the water in the chamber is adsorbed by the oleophilic and substantially buoyant material; and tethering the porous container to a mount fixed to a wall of the chamber so that the porous container is prevented from clogging and passing through the overflow outlet and so that the porous container can be removed from the oil separation chamber after a period of use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1, and further comprising: after the period of use of the container for adsorbing hydrocarbon pollutants, removing the cover of the oil separation chamber, untethering and removing the container; and locating and tethering a fresh such container in the oil separation chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said locating step includes providing the porous container in the form of a bag filled with the oleophilic and substantially buoyant material, and providing the bag with an eye hook to which a cord can be connected for tethering the bag in the chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said locating step includes providing the porous container in the form of a wire cage filled with the oleophilic and substantially buoyant material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: locating at the bottom of the oil separation chamber a second porous container filled with a material which attracts heavy metal ions, said container being weighted so as to sink to the bottom of the oil separation chamber for absorbing heavy metal ions in a lower region of the chamber; and tethering the second porous container to a wall of the oil separation container so that it can be removed from the top of the container after a period of use.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said tethering step includes tethering the second porous container to a wall of the oil separation chamber by way of the first porous container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the material in the second porous container comprises a sponge incorporating an amine-containing polymer having selective affinity for heavy metals in cationic and anionic states in aqueous solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said sponge is open-celled for faster diffusion and absorption of ions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 5, and further comprising: after the period of use of the second container for absorbing heavy metal ions, removing the cover of the oil separation chamber, untethering and removing the second container; and locating and tethering a fresh such second container in the oil separation chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5130018A
Cited
US4935132A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-22 | 1997-05-24 | 1997-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-22 | 2001-05-24 | 2001-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-22 | 2005-05-24 | 2005-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |