| 1. |
- Al-Rubaei, Ahmed, et al.
(författare)
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Can vacuum cleaning recover the infiltration capacity of a clogged porous asphalt?
- 2012
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Ingår i: WSUD 2012. - Barton : Institution of Engineers, Australia. - 9780858258952
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The main threat for the performance of porous asphalt is clogging leading to decreased infiltration capacity. Thus, we investigated the potential of vacuum cleaning to recover the infiltration capacity of clogged permeable asphalts which have been in use for several decades. The influence of road operation and maintenance measures on the results was discussed.Method: We investigated the hydraulic conductivity (HC) of two roads with porous asphalt in Haparanda and Luleå, Sweden, which had been in use for 28 years and 15 years, respectively. A lack of appropriate maintenance during their operating life had lead to significant clogging and thus malfunction. The roads were vacuum cleaned using a vacuum cleaner/sweeping truck combination. This technology is recommended as a maintenance option for porous asphalt. Before and after the vacuum cleaning, replicate HC measurements were conducted using double-ring infiltrometers.Result: Before vacuum cleaning, mean HC was <0.1mm/min in Haparanda and between 0.4 and 0.8 mm/min in Luleå. After vacuum cleaning, HC increased significantly in Luleå (between 1.1 and 7.1mm/min) while no significant increase was detected in Haparanda. Despite the improvement after vacuum cleaning, HC was still far lower than the initial HC after construction. Reasons for the different results in Haparanda and Luleå were identified; the road winter maintenance was of primary importance.Conclusion: Depending on the extent of clogging, vacuum cleaning has the ability to recover HC of porous asphalt. However, long term behaviour of the HC depends largely on the street maintenance, thus regular appropriate maintenance is preferable.
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| 2. |
- Al-Rubaei, Ahmed, et al.
(författare)
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Long-term hydraulic performance of porous asphalt pavements in northern Sweden
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of irrigation and drainage engineering. - 0733-9437 .- 1943-4774. ; 139:6, s. 499-505
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The effect of clogging on the long-term infiltration capacity and porosity of two 18- and 24-year-old porous asphalts was examined by using replicate double-ring infiltrometer tests and analyzing asphalt core samples. Tests were carried out to see if high pressure washing and vacuum cleaning could restore the hydraulic performance. The infiltration capacity of the porous asphalts decreased substantially, primarily due to surficial clogging (0.50 +/- 0.26 in Lulea, Sweden, and 0.22 +/- 0.12 in Haparanda, Sweden, compared to initially > 290 mm min(-1)). In Lulea, washing and vacuum cleaning could partially restore the infiltration capacity (3.48 +/- 3.00 mm min(-1)), but in Haparanda, no effect was measured. The porosity was constantly between 16 and 18%. The difference of the long-term behavior and effect of cleaning in Lulea and Haparanda is primarily attributable to different street maintenance, age, and winter maintenance (application of fine gravel and/or sand). Although the infiltration capacity in Lulea was far below initial values, the asphalt still has the capacity to infiltrate an intense design rainfall (100 year average return interval, 15 min duration), underlining that porous asphalt can be a resilient feature also under nonfavorable conditions
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| 3. |
- Al-Rubaei, Ahmed, et al.
(författare)
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Long-term hydraulic performance of stormwater infiltration systems : a field survey
- 2013
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Ingår i: NOVATECH 2013.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper examined the factors influencing the long-term hydraulic performance of some stormwater infiltration systems (swale and two types of permeable pavements) in Växjö, southern Sweden. The infiltration capacities of 9 permeable pavements and 2 swales sites, all with different ages ranging from 1 year to 14 years, were measured using replicate double ring infiltrometers. The sites were either constructed of swale (2), interlocking concrete pavers (ICP) filled with gravel (2), concrete grid pavers (CGP) filled with gravel (3), or concrete grid pavers (CGP) filled with grass (4). The results of this study showed that the long-term behaviour of the infiltration capacity relies largely on the type and age of the system and the type of joint filling (gravel and grass). Furthermore, the study showed that the 11 year old concrete grid pavers filled with grass had the highest infiltration capacity (4.80 + 2.46 mm/min), whilst the 9 and 14 year old swales had the lowest infiltration capacity (0.10 + 0.00 mm/min).
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Al-Rubaei, Ahmed Mohammed, et al.
(författare)
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Long-Term Treatment Efficiency of a Constructed Stormwater Wetland: Preliminary Results
- 2014
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Constructed stormwater wetlands (CSWs) are commonly used in Sweden and worldwide because of their high efficiency in urban stormwater management. However, questions have been raised about the long-term performance of CSWs. This study investigated the performance of a 19-year-old constructed wetland, which was designed to treat the stormwater from a 320-ha catchment located in the city of Växjö, southern Sweden. The system has not been maintained since its construction in 1994. The results of the present study were compared with results obtained from a previous study conducted by Växjö Municipality in 1997. The results showed that the CSW significantly reduced peak flows by 72%. High concentration reductions were found for Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, TSS and TP (90, 89, 91, 90, 96, 96 and 86%, respectively). TN concentrations were reduced by 61%. The results indicated that lack of maintenance had no effect on the performance of wetland system during this long period of operation (19 years). In contrast, especially the removal of Cu and nitrogen was enhanced compared to 1997, which may be due to maturing of the system. The results show that CSWs are resilient systems, which (provided that design is sufficient) can work efficiently for at least two decades.
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| 6. |
- Blecken, Godecke-Tobias
(författare)
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Biofiltration technologies for stormwater quality treatment
- 2010
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Due to high runoff volumes and peak flows, and significant contamination with (inter alia) sediment, metals, nutrients, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and salt, urban stormwater is a major cause of degradation of urban water ways. Since current urban drainage systems, which heavily rely on piped sewer networks, may not be sustainable, attempts are being made to develop and refine sustainable urban drainage solutions, notably in Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) and Low Impact Development (LID) concepts. Promising systems recommended for application in both WSUD and LID are stormwater biofilters (also known as bioretention systems or rain gardens) using vegetated filter media. Besides their capacity to attenuate flows and minimise runoff volumes, stormwater biofilters have proven efficacy for enhancing effluent water quality. Furthermore, they can be aesthetically pleasingly integrated even in dense urban environments. However, there are still gaps in our knowledge of the variability of biofilters' pollutant removal performance, and the factors that affect their performance.In the studies this thesis is based upon, the effects of various ambient factors, stormwater characteristics and modifications of filter design on the removal of metals, nutrients and total suspended solids (TSS) in biofilters, and pollutant pathways through them, have been investigated. For these purposes, standard biofilters and variants equipped with a submerged zone, a carbon source and different filter materials were exposed to varying temperatures and dry periods, dosed with stormwater and snowmelt, and the inflow and outflow concentrations of the pollutants were measured.Although removal percentages were consistently high (>70%), demonstrating that biofilters can reliably treat stormwater, the results show that metal outflow concentrations may vary widely depending on the biofilter design and the ambient conditions. Prolonged drying especially impaired their removal efficiency, but variations in temperature and filter media variations had little effect on metal removal rates. The adverse effects of drying could be mitigated by using a submerged zone, and thus providing a more constant moisture regime in the filters between storm events. Combined with embedded organic matter, the submerged zone especially significantly enhances Cu removal, helping to meet outflow target concentrations. Similarly, installing a mulch layer on top of the filter provides additional sorption capacity, hence metals do not ingress far into the filter and are mainly trapped on/in the top layer by sorption processes and/or mechanical trapping associated with TSS. This leads to significant metal accumulation, which facilitates biofilter maintenance since scraping off the top layer removes high proportions of previously accumulated metals, thus delaying the need to replace the whole filter media. However, removal of accumulated pollutants from the filter media is crucial for successful long-term performance of the filters to ensure that no pollutant breakthrough occurs.Nitrogen removal was found to be more variable than metal removal, and to be adversely affected by temperature increases, leading to high nitrogen leaching in warm temperatures. Phosphorus removal rates were consistently high, since most phosphorus was particle-bound and thus trapped together with TSS. However, in initial stages phosphorus was washed out from the filter media, indicating that filter media that do not have high levels of labile phosphorus should be used to avoid high effluent concentrations. Given that most outflow concentrations were far lower than those in the stormwater, biofilters are appropriate stormwater treatment systems. Dependent on the ambient conditions, the target pollutants and the sensitivity of the recipient, adaptation of the filter design is recommended. Further work is required to investigate the winter performance and improve the reliability of nitrogen removal, which is highly variable.
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| 7. |
- Blecken, Godecke-Tobias, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of retrofitting a saturated zone om the performance of biofiltration for heavy metal removal : preliminary results of a laboratory study
- 2010
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Ingår i: NOVATECH 2010. - Villeurbanne : Graie.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Stormwater biofilters are a stormwater treatment technology which has been becoming increasingly popular. Recently it has been shown that a submerged zone in the filter media improves the magnitude and consistency of nitrogen treatment. Furthermore, the submerged zone has even been shown to be beneficial for retention of heavy metals, particularly Cu. However, most existing biofilters do not include a saturated zone. Since it is relatively simple to retrofit a submerged zone by elevating the outflow, the effect of such a retrofitting on metal removal was investigated in this laboratory study using biofilter columns. It has been shown that a retrofitted submerged zone has a statistically significant but practically small effect on metal removal: Zn removal is slightly enhanced while the effect on Cu removal is inconsistent. Thus, retrofitting of a submerged zone is not recommended if metals are the main target pollutants. But if a submerged zone would have other benefits (e.g. for nitrogen removal or to protect the system from prolonged drying periods) it can be retrofitted without compromising metal removal.
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| 8. |
- Blecken, Godecke-Tobias, et al.
(författare)
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Fett i avloppsnät : kartläggning och åtgärdsförslag
- 2010
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Fat oil and grease (FOG) from food preparation can cause severeproblems if it is discharged to the municipal sewer network. A surveyamong Swedish and Norwegian municipalities has shown that nearlyall respondents experience FOG-related problems. The most commonproblem is FOG accumulation connected to the sewer pipes whichdecreases the pipe pipe capacity and may lead to sewer overflows. FOGaccumulation occurs especially at lift stations and depressions. FOGdeposits are often made up of saponised FOG. The fatty acids promotefurthermore corrosion of concrete pipes. FOG can even impact wastewater treatment and might cause severer working conditions.The aim for the water suppliers has thus to be an effective FOGsource control before FOG is discharged to the sewer network. Sourcesare both commercial establishments and residential sewer customers.In this report different source control measures are discussed. Greaseinterceptors are commonly used for commercial FOG sources. However,a number of them lack a grease interceptor and quite often operationand maintenance is deficient. An insufficient frequency ofemptying and a lack of supervision have been identified as a commonproblem. FOG collection systems for commercial FOG producers existin both Sweden and Norway. Collection systems for private householdsare currently in a test phase and experiences from among others Austriaare promising. Even the collected amount of FOG could presumablybe increased. Collected FOG and FOG slurry from interceptors is avaluable resource which can be used as raw material in the chemicalindustry or as an energy source (combustion, biodiesel, fermentation).Threshold values for FOG discharges are set up commonly by municipalities.However, even here supervision is often insufficient. Often, thethreshold values are inadequately low and a value of at least 150 mg/lis recommended. All those measures have to be supported by informationcampaigns which aim on both commercial and private customers.
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| 9. |
- Blecken, Godecke-Tobias, et al.
(författare)
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Laboratory studies on metal treatment efficiency of stormwater biofilters
- 2010
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Stormwater biofilters are a reliable technology to remove metals from stormwater. A solid carbon source in the filter (combined with a submerged zone) enhances especially Cu removal further; the already high Pb and Zn removal is slightly enhanced. However, the submerged zone helps to minimize (Cu, Zn) or eliminate (Pb) the negative effects which prolonged drying has on the removal rates. Thus, the introduction of a submerged zone is only recommended if nitrogen treatment is targeted (Zinger et al. 2007) or if drying is expected. Temperature differences might have a little influence on especially Cu treatment. However, this influence is not of practical importance indicating that biofilters can successfully be implemented throughout the whole seasonal cycle. A high proportion of metals are retained at the top of the filter which is important for biofilter design and maintenance planning. A filter less than the currently recommended 800 to 900 mm might be sufficient for reliable metal treatment. Furthermore, scraping of the top layer could delay replacing of the whole filter media
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| 10. |
- Blecken, Godecke-Tobias, et al.
(författare)
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Laboratory study of stormwater biofiltration in low temperatures : total and dissolved metal removal and fates
- 2011
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Ingår i: Water, Air and Soil Pollution. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0049-6979 .- 1573-2932. ; 219:1-4, s. 303-317
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Stormwater biofilters, which are recommended for application in both Water-Sensitive Urban Design and Low Impact Development, can remove up to 80% or 90% of total metals found in stormwater. However, their winter operation is a common concern. That was addressed in this study by investigating the metal removal effectiveness of replicate laboratory biofilter mesocosms at 2°C, 8°C and 20°C. As recommended for cold climate bioretention, coarse filter media were implemented and in the top 100 mm layer topsoil was added to increase the sorption capacity. Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations measured in the biofilter effluent were far below those in the influent and this significantly improved the treated stormwater quality. Contrary to a common notion that coarse media in the main filter body impair dissolved metal sorption, satisfactory removals of dissolved metals were found in this study with most metal burdens retained in the top layer of the filter in which the sorption capacity was enhanced by topsoil. Some metal uptake by the plants was also detected. Temperature did not affect Cd, Pb and Zn removals in general, but Cu removals increased with decreasing temperatures. This was explained by increased biological activities in the filters at warmer temperatures, which may have led to an increased release of Cu with dissolved organic matter originating from root turnover and decomposition of organic litter and debris. Furthermore, plant uptake and biofilm adsorption may also be influenced by temperature. However, even in the worst case (i.e. at 20°C), Cu was removed effectively from the stormwater. Further research needs were identified including the effects of road salts on stormwater biofiltration during the winter period.
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