AU2009251082A1 - Run-off control system - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: "RUN-OFF CONTROL SYSTEM" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 1 RUN-OFF CONTROL SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of liquid run-off control. More particularly, this invention relates to a system and method for controlling 5 slurry run-off. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Concrete driveways are commonly constructed to allow vehicular access to a range of buildings, such as a workplace or a home. The driveways are often laid down at the time of constructing the building or may 10 be retro-fitted to provide improved access. A common practice in recent times is the stamping of concrete driveways to create a faux paved effect or the creation of an exposed aggregate finish by the partial removal of surface material. After driveway construction or remodeling is complete the top few 15 millimeters of concrete are washed off with a hose or gurney to expose the stone underneath. The wash-off is largely composed of concrete slurry being cement powder, fine sand, small stones, fly ash and water. In the case of the faux paving paint, ochre will also be present. It is estimated that construction of a 55m 2 concrete driveway would 20 result in approximately two wheelbarrows full of coarse material including sand, stones and concrete powder as well as approximately 600-1200 litres of water if a hose has been used for the surface wash. Typically, the run-off containing these materials from hosing down the driveway is washed down to the roadside. The natural flow along the channel 2 by the kerb means these materials will flow into storm water drains. This allows the pollutants to enter rivers, creeks, groundwater and oceans where they endanger aquatic life, may cause algal blooms and block out sunlight which disturbs aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, the sediments can cause 5 damage or even complete blockage of pipes in the storm water infrastructure which necessitates regular maintenance and repair at the expense of the rate payer. Many local councils and governments have now legislated that concrete slurry run-off from driveways and other construction sites must not 10 be allowed to enter the storm water drains. These laws can be enforced with substantial fines and so builders have had to find ways to control the run-off and prevent its uncontrolled flow into the drains. The general practice to control the run-off is to build a temporary barrier from materials such as sand, dirt and clay from the worksite. This 15 barrier must be at least as high as the gutter and wide enough to ensure the structure will not be eroded at any point along its length by the large volume of water it has to hold back. The water is either allowed to seep through the sand, which in theory filters out the particulate matter, or is absorbed into the sand and the clay. Either way, when dry, the particulate matter is within the 20 sand and clay or dried onto the area of road which was in front of the barrier. This method involves a large amount of manual labour and takes a considerable number of man hours to both form the barrier and then subsequently remove the barrier containing the slurry particulate matter. Since not all particulate matter will have been caught up in the barrier it will 3 also be necessary to sweep residual cement powder from the road surface. Further, this method relies on the preparation, skill and diligence of the individual worker and will not always operate effectively to keep slurry run-off out of the storm water drains. 5 Hence, it is desirable to provide for a way to more conveniently and efficiently control and contain the slurry run-off from driveways and other constructions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is broadly directed to the containment and/or control of 10 slurry run-off by way of a system and/or method which allows the run-off to be directed onto a catchment apparatus from which the liquid component of the run-off can be removed, thereby preventing the run-off from entering storm water drains and the like. In one broad form, the invention resides in a liquid run-off control 15 system comprising a mat and a barrier wall located adjacent one or more edges of the mat, wherein the barrier wall and mat are adapted to at least partly retain particulate material in the liquid run-off. In another broad form, the invention resides in a method of controlling liquid run-off including the step of locating a mat on a run-off surface, the mat 20 having a barrier wall adjacent one or more edges of the mat, wherein the barrier wall and mat are adapted to at least partly retain particulate material in the liquid run-off. In one aspect, the invention resides in a slurry run-off control system comprising: 4 (a) a slurry mat; and (b) a barrier wall located adjacent one or more edges of the slurry mat; wherein, in use, the slurry mat is in contact with a run-off surface and 5 the barrier wall and slurry mat are adapted to retain the slurry run-off separate from the run-off surface. Preferably, the slurry run-off control system further comprises a pump adjacent the slurry mat. In use, the pump displaces a substantial portion of an aqueous 10 component of the retained slurry run-off to a location distant the slurry mat without displacing a substantial portion of a particulate component of the retained slurry run-off. Preferably, the slurry mat has a raised portion formed along one or more edges. 15 Suitably, the barrier wall is adapted to make a sealing engagement with a run-off surface. Preferably, the barrier wall has a weighted portion having rubber or silicone strands on its lower surface to make a sealing engagement with the run-off surface. 20 The weighted portion may comprise rubber, silicone and the like. If required, the barrier walls may be integrally formed with one or more edges of the slurry mat. Suitably, the particulate component of the retained slurry run-off is retained on a collection surface of the slurry mat.

5 The run-off surface may be a road surface. In another aspect, the invention resides in a method of controlling slurry run-off including the steps of: (a) providing a slurry mat and a barrier wall, the barrier wall 5 located adjacent one or more edge portions of the slurry mat; and (b) locating the slurry mat in contact with a run-off surface; wherein, in use, the barrier wall and slurry mat are adapted to retain the slurry run-off separate from the run-off surface. 10 Preferably, the method further comprises the step of providing a pump adjacent the slurry mat. In use, the pump displaces a substantial portion of an aqueous component of the retained slurry run-off to a location distant the slurry mat without displacing a substantial portion of a particulate component of the 15 retained slurry run-off. Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. The term slurry, as used herein, represents a mixture of a liquid and any amount of one or more insoluble materials so long as the mixture has 20 the ability to flow. One non-limiting example of such a slurry is that of water containing finely divided solids such as clays, cement and/or rocks. Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise", "comprises" and "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the 6 exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, preferred embodiments will now be described by way of 5 example with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts and wherein: FIG 1A shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a slurry mat; FIG 1 B shows a more detailed view of part of the slurry mat shown in FIG 1A; 10 FIG 2A shows a perspective view of the slurry mat shown in FIG 1A in a transporting position; FIG 2B shows a perspective view of the slurry mat shown in FIG 1A in a dumping position; FIG 3A shows a side view of a portion of an embodiment of a barrier 15 wall; FIG 3B shows a perspective view of the portion of a barrier wall shown in FIG 3A; and FIG 4 shows a perspective view of a slurry run-off control system according to an embodiment of the invention. 20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one general embodiment, the present invention resides in a slurry run-off control system comprising a slurry mat and a barrier wall located adjacent one or more edge portions of the slurry mat, wherein the barrier wall and slurry mat are adapted to control the slurry run-off and retain it separate 7 from a run-off surface. The system may further comprise a pump. The pump operates to displace a substantial portion of an aqueous component of the retained slurry run-off to a location distant the slurry mat, leaving a substantial portion of a particulate component of the retained slurry run-off in 5 contact with a collection surface of the slurry mat. As shown in FIG 1A, which is a perspective view of one embodiment of a slurry mat, slurry mat 20 comprises a collection surface 21, an elongate raised portion 22, which in the embodiment shown in FIG 1A is located along one edge only of slurry mat 20, and a plurality of handles 23. 10 FIG 1 B shows a more detailed view of part of the slurry mat shown in FIG 1A. In particular, handles 23 are seen to be connected to slurry mat 20 by rope 24 which passes through mat apertures 25. The edges of mat apertures 25 are protected from wear by rope 24 by protectors 26 which may take the form of plastic or metal washers or the like. Elongate raised portion 15 22 is shaped to form a ramp 27 which ends in a containment face 28. Slurry mat 20 may be constructed from, but is not limited to, any suitable flexible material such as rubber or rubber composites containing reinforcing materials and should be of a suitable size to retain a sufficient amount of slurry run-off on collection surface 21. In one general 20 embodiment, slurry mat 20 may have a surface area of approximately 1.5 2 m . Elongate raised portion 22 is designed to allow the flow of slurry run off to pass over its inclined surface and onto collection surface 21. The slurry run-off is then prevented from flowing back by containment face 28 of ramp 8 27. It will be appreciated that elongate raised portion 22 may be provided along more than one or even all of the edges of slurry mat 20. FIG 2A shows a perspective view of the slurry mat shown in FIG 1A in a transporting position. Slurry 30, which has had most of the aqueous 5 component removed, is held on collection surface 21. Slurry mat 20 can be lifted using handles 23 and the retained particulate matter transported to a remote location on the back of a vehicle or simply poured into a suitable container. FIG 2B shows a perspective view of the slurry mat shown in FIG 1A in 10 a dumping position. In the embodiment shown in FIG 2B slurry mat 20 was placed so as to straddle kerb 31 and was held in place at one end by placement means 32 which may take the form of star pickets or the like. Instead of lifting and transporting the entire slurry mat 20 with the retained particulate matter the mat is conveniently lifted only from the end opposite 15 placement means 32 and so the slurry 30 is dumped onto the neighbouring surface away from the road and any storm water drains. This process of collecting slurry 30 on slurry mat 20 and dumping it as described may be repeated a number of times until the dumped particulate matter builds up to a sufficient amount to warrant further processing. 20 The underside 29 of slurry mat 20 and the continuation of ropes 24 between handles 23, along underside 29, can be see in FIG 2B. Underside 29 will be in contact with a run-off surface, typically a road and/or pavement, during operation such as is shown with run-off surface 50 in FIG 4. FIG 3A shows a side view of a portion of a barrier wall according to an 9 embodiment of the invention. Barrier wall portion 40 comprises a barrier 41, which may be a waterproof material such as plastic tarp or the like, connected at its lower end to weighted portion 42 which has a slurry face 43 and a run-off surface contact face 44 which in the embodiment shown takes 5 the form of silicon strands. Barrier 41 is attached to upright support member 45 which ends at its lower extremity in foot 49A. Angled support member 47 acts as a brace to provide stability to upright support member 45 and is telescopically adjustable by releasing or tensioning pin 48 which allows insert member 46 to slide into angled support member 47 to the desired degree. 10 Angled support member 47 contacts the run-off surface via foot 49B. FIG 3B shows a perspective view of the portion of a barrierwall shown in FIG 3A. Barrier 41 and weighted portion 42 are seen to be elongate and it will be appreciated that a number of barrier wall portions 40 may be connected together to form a barrier wall of sufficient length. 15 Each barrier wall portion 40 may be of a range of heights sufficient to control slurry run-off. In one general embodiment the barrier 41 may be between 800mm to 1000mm in height and each barrier wall portion 40 may be between 2 metres to 4 metres in length. Each barrier wall portion 40 may be joined to the next by industrial Velcro or the like. This join is watertight. 20 Silicon strands 44 can be seen to extend slightly from weighted portion 42 and will form a sealing engagement with the run-off surface, such as a road. Weighted portion 42 may be integral with barrier 41 or may be separate but can be connected to form a sealing engagement. Weighted portion 42 may be made from similar materials to barrier 41 and will be filled 10 with wet sand, gravel or the like to ensure that sufficient downward force is exerted on silicon strands 44 to form a substantially watertight seal with the run-off surface. It will be appreciated that a number of means other than silicon strands 44 may be used to form a sealing contact with the run-off 5 surface. For example, soft rubber or other pliable materials may be suitable. FIG 4 shows a perspective view of a slurry run-off control system according to an embodiment of the invention. The slurry run-off control system 10 in FIG 4 is shown, in use, to contain slurry run-off from a driveway 51 but it will be appreciated that the apparatus may be used in other 10 environments where slurry run-off is being controlled. For example the present system and method will also be useful in containing paint run-off from the cleaning of rollers and brushes and. It also finds applications in landscaping to prevent fertilisers, sand and soils from being hosed down into drains. 15 A series of barrier wall portions 40 have been connected together to form the completed barrier wall which is constructed such that it runs substantially parallel to the roadside kerb until it then curves behind slurry mat 20 to prevent any slurry from spilling off the collection surface 21 and running freely further along run-off surface 50 which in FIG 4 is a road. 20 A pump 52, which is driven by power supply 53, is located on collection surface 21. Outlet hose 54 extends from pump 52 to a location remote from slurry mat 20. Pump 52 should be suitable for extracting and pumping the aqueous component of slurry run-off to a remote location via outlet hose 54. A submersible bilge pump or the like is considered to be 11 suitable for this purpose. In another general embodiment the invention resides in a method of controlling slurry run-off including the steps of: (a) providing a slurry mat and a barrier wall, the barrier wall 5 located adjacent one or more edge portions of the slurry mat; and (b) locating the slurry mat and barrier wall on a run-off surface; wherein, in use, the barrier wall and slurry mat are adapted to control the slurry run-off and retain it separate from a run-off surface to leave a 10 substantial portion of a particulate component of the retained slurry run-off in contact with a collection surface of the slurry mat. The method may further include the step of providing a pump wherein, the pump displaces a substantial portion of an aqueous component of the retained slurry run-off to a location distant the slurry mat without displacing a 15 substantial portion of a particulate component of the retained slurry run-off. The barrier wall is in contact with one or more edge portions of the slurry mat. The embodiment shown in FIG 4 will now be described in operation. After construction of driveway 51 the top few millimeters of concrete are 20 washed off with a hose or gurney. The resultant slurry run-off is largely composed of concrete powder, fine sand, small stones, fly ash and water. The run-off is washed down driveway 51 and onto road surface 50 where it follows the natural fall of the road and is contained by the barrier wall. The barrier wall also acts to contain the flow of the slurry run-off and direct it 12 towards slurry mat 20. As the slurry contacts the barrier wall the silicon strands 44 or like sealing means extending from weighted portion 42 prevent the water from seeping under the barrier wall and escaping the containment area. Any soft 5 and flexible material may be suitable for use to form a watertight engagement between the barrier wall and the run-off surface. If the water level should rise above weighted portion 42 then it is further prevented from passing through the barrier wall by barrier 41 which is integral with or in watertight engagement with weighted portion 42. 10 The run-off will then pass over elongate raised portion 22 and be contained on collection surface 21 of slurry mat 20 by a combination of one or more containment faces 28 (depending on the number of elongate raised portions 22 employed) and the barrier wall portions 40. The slurry run-off pools on collection surface 21 and in this manner is 15 retained separate from the run-off surface, in this case road surface 50. The liquid, typically aqueous, component of the slurry is pumped away from collection surface 21 using bilge pump 52. Outlet hose 54 extends from bilge pump 52 to a desired location such as a container where the aqueous component of the slurry can be stored or passed through a filter to recycle 20 the water for green applications. Any fine silt or concrete powder left behind on road surface 50 can also be washed down to slurry mat 20 and pump 52 will operate until a substantial portion of the aqueous component has been removed from the slurry run-off and essentially only the particulate component is left behind on 13 collection surface 21. At this point pump 52 may be turned off and removed from slurry mat 20. The remaining slurry 30, being mostly coarse materials and/or other particulate matter, can then be removed by dumping or transportation operations as described previously. 5 The slurry mat 20 and barrier wall are placed between the driveway 51 and the nearest storm water drain to prevent slurry run-off entering the drainage system. Alternatively, slurry mat 20 may be placed in sealing contact with the kerb and road, as shown in FIG 4, so that it actually covers up the storm drain and prevents slurry flow therein. 10 The use of the slurry run-off control system described herein enables slurry run-off to be controlled in a reliable manner requiring a low level of manual labour to comply with environmental laws relating to impurities entering the storm water system. It allows the slurry to be directed onto slurry mat 20 where the liquid component can be removed and directed to a 15 chosen location via outlet hose 54. The particulate matter to be disposed of is conveniently left in contact with the collection surface 21 of slurry mat 20. The flexible nature of slurry mat 20 allows it to be easily flipped to dump the particulates or removed to a desired dumping location. The present slurry run-off control system can be conveniently stored 20 when not in use. Slurry mat 20, being manufactured from rubber or other flexible materials, can simply be rolled up to fit into the back of a vehicle or be stored. Barrier wall portions 40 can be broken down to allow economic storage. Angled support member 47 can be completely separated from upright support member 45 and insert member 46 when pin 48 is released.

14 Barrier 41 is attached to upright member 45 via hooks, Velcro or other simple mechanical means and so can be easily detached. If barrier 41 and weighted portion 42 are not integrally formed then they may also be separated and barrier 41 can be rolled up to conveniently 5 fit into a milk crate or the like for storage. Weighted portion 42 may be folded up or rolled around itself. In one embodiment weighted portion 42 is filled with water and sealed to be watertight. In preparation for storage the water can be released and so weighted portion 42 will fold or roll to a small size in the manner of a tarp or the like. 10 Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. It will therefore be appreciated by those of skill in the art that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular 15 embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the present invention. 20

Claims (20)

1. A slurry run-off control system comprising: (a) a slurry mat; and (b) a barrier wall located adjacent one or more edges of the 5 slurry mat; wherein, in use, the slurry mat is in contact with a run-off surface and the barrier wall and slurry mat are adapted to retain the slurry run-off separate from the run-off surface.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a pump adjacent the slurry 10 mat.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein, in use, the pump displaces a substantial portion of an aqueous component of the retained slurry run-off to a location distant the slurry mat without displacing a substantial portion of a particulate component of the retained slurry run-off. 15

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the slurry mat is constructed from a flexible material.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the slurry mat has a raised portion formed along one or more edges thereof.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the raised portion takes the form of a 20 ramp having a containment face.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the containment face prevents the backflow of slurry run-off away from the slurry mat. 16

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the barrier wall is adapted to make a sealing engagement with the run-off surface and/or the slurry mat.

9. The system of any one of the proceeding claims wherein the barrier wall comprises a weighted portion presenting rubber or silicone projections 5 which, in use, create a sealing engagement with the run-off surface.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the barrier walls are integrally formed with one or more edges of the slurry mat.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the barrier wall comprises one or more support members to maintain the barrier wall in an upright position. 10

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the barrier wall comprises a plurality of barrier wall portions.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the barrier wall portions are joined together so as to form a watertight seal.

14. The system of claim 2 wherein the pump is a bilge pump.

15 15. The system of claim 3 wherein the particulate component of the retained slurry run-off is retained on a collection surface of the slurry mat.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the run-off surface is a road surface.

17. A method of controlling slurry run-off including the steps of: (a) providing a slurry mat and a barrier wall, the barrier wall 20 located adjacent one or more edge portions of the slurry mat; and (b) locating the slurry mat in contact with a run-off surface; 17 wherein, in use, the barrier wall and slurry mat are adapted to retain the slurry run-off separate from the run-off surface.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of providing a pump adjacent the slurry mat. 5

19. The method of claim 18 wherein, in use, the pump displaces a substantial portion of an aqueous component of the retained slurry run-off to a location distant the slurry mat without displacing a substantial portion of a particulate component of the retained slurry run-off.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the barrier wall comprises a weighted 10 portion presenting rubber or silicone projections which, in use, create a sealing engagement with the run-off surface. 15 20