EP1797007A1 - Product for retention and degradation of pollutant substances - Google Patents

Product for retention and degradation of pollutant substances

Info

Publication number
EP1797007A1
EP1797007A1 EP05775807A EP05775807A EP1797007A1 EP 1797007 A1 EP1797007 A1 EP 1797007A1 EP 05775807 A EP05775807 A EP 05775807A EP 05775807 A EP05775807 A EP 05775807A EP 1797007 A1 EP1797007 A1 EP 1797007A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
product according
pollutant substance
hydrophobic material
hydrophobic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05775807A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Alan Paul Newman
Tim Puehmeier
Andrew Bryan Linga Longa SHUTTLEWORTH
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Permavoid Ltd
Original Assignee
Permavoid Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Permavoid Ltd filed Critical Permavoid Ltd
Publication of EP1797007A1 publication Critical patent/EP1797007A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/06—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material
    • B32B27/08—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material of synthetic resin
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/28—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption
    • C02F1/288—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption using composite sorbents, e.g. coated, impregnated, multi-layered
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B09—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE; RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
    • B09C—RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
    • B09C1/00—Reclamation of contaminated soil
    • B09C1/10—Reclamation of contaminated soil microbiologically, biologically or by using enzymes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/32—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyolefins
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B3/00—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar form; Layered products having particular features of form
    • B32B3/26—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar form; Layered products having particular features of form characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layer; characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids ; characterised by an apertured layer
    • B32B3/30—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar form; Layered products having particular features of form characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layer; characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids ; characterised by an apertured layer characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B33/00—Layered products characterised by particular properties or particular surface features, e.g. particular surface coatings; Layered products designed for particular purposes not covered by another single class
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
    • E01C3/00—Foundations for pavings
    • E01C3/003—Foundations for pavings characterised by material or composition used, e.g. waste or recycled material
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
    • E01C5/00—Pavings made of prefabricated single units
    • E01C5/003—Pavings made of prefabricated single units characterised by material or composition used for beds or joints; characterised by the way of laying
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D31/00—Protective arrangements for foundations or foundation structures; Ground foundation measures for protecting the soil or the subsoil water, e.g. preventing or counteracting oil pollution
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/70—Other properties
    • B32B2307/728—Hydrophilic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/70—Other properties
    • B32B2307/73—Hydrophobic
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2101/00—Nature of the contaminant
    • C02F2101/30—Organic compounds
    • C02F2101/32—Hydrocarbons, e.g. oil
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/001—Runoff or storm water

Definitions

  • pollutant substances may find their way into controlled waters.
  • pollutant substances may be spilled and may seep into the ground water beneath such sites or may be washed by rain into run-off water drainage systems.
  • pollutant substances may be present in the material used as fill, and these may find their way into the ground water beneath the site or nearby water courses. It is desirable to at least reduce the amount of pollutant substances which find their way into such controlled waters.
  • Geotextile materials are commonly used in at least urban environments. Their purpose is often structural, but such materials can also act to trap pollutant substances. However, it has been found that the efficacy of such materials in trapping and degrading pollutant substances is dependent on the type of geotextile material used, the mode of use, and the quality of installation, etc. It is an aim of this invention to provide a product for the retention and, where appropriate, biodegradation of pollutant substances, which is specifically designed for this purpose, and which can be used to reduce the amount of such substances which are able to find their way into controlled waters and which addresses some of the problems associated with the use of known geotextile materials.
  • a product for the retention and degradation of at least one pollutant substance comprising a hydrophobic material, a hydrophilic material, and at least one interface between the materials, wherein the hydrophobic material receives and retains at least some of the pollutant substance, and the hydrophilic material supports the formation of a biofilm by supplying water therefor, which biofilm degrades at least some of the pollutant substance retained by the hydrophobic material.
  • the product may comprise a layer of hydrophobic material.
  • the product may comprise a layer of hydrophilic material.
  • the layers may be intimately in contact with each other, to provide the interface between the materials.
  • the product may comprise more than one layer of hydrophobic material.
  • the product may comprise more than one layer of hydrophilic material.
  • the layers may be intimately in contact with each other, to provide more than one interface between the materials.
  • the or each layer of hydrophobic and hydrophilic material may be fused together to form the product.
  • the or each layer of hydrophobic and hydrophilic material may be held together mechanically e.g. by stitching.
  • the or each layer of hydrophobic and hydrophilic material may be laid down together to form the product.
  • the hydrophobic material may comprise a geotextile material.
  • the hydrophobic material may comprise a polyolefin material e.g. a polyethylene material, or a polypropylene material, or a material comprising both polypropylene and polyethylene. Such a material may be to some extent naturally hydrophobic.
  • the hydrophobic material may comprise one or more additives which act to improve the hydrophobic ability of the material.
  • the additives may comprise perfluorinated additives, such as polytetrafluoroethylene.
  • the hydrophobic material may comprise one or more additives which act to increase the oleophilic ability of the material.
  • the additives may comprise a mineral material, such as calcium carbonate.
  • the hydrophobic material may retain at least some of the pollutant substance by chemical and/or physical interaction of the pollutant substance with molecules of the hydrophobic material.
  • the pollutant substance may comprise a hydrophobic pollutant substance.
  • the pollutant substance may comprise a non-aqueous phase liquid.
  • the non-aqueous phase liquid may comprise a hydrocarbon substance, for example trichloroethylene or benzene or a mineral oil or a vegetable oil, and/or may comprise lanolin.
  • the pollutant substance may comprise a non- hydrophobic pollutant substance, such as a particulate substance. At least some of the pollutant substance may then be retained by the hydrophobic material by filtration.
  • the pollutant substance may be comprised in water.
  • the hydrophobic material may receive the pollutant substance comprised in water, and may retain at least some of the pollutant substance and may pass at least some of the water. At least some of the pollutant substance is thereby removed from the water.
  • the hydrophobic material may receive the pollutant substance comprised in water, on a surface thereof.
  • the hydrophobic material may have a breakthrough head such that the surface of the material which receives the pollutant substance and water holds the pollutant substance and water thereon to reduce the velocity of penetration of the pollutant substance into the hydrophobic material. This reduces the possibility of the pollutant substance being able to force its way through the product.
  • the hydrophobic material may have a breakthrough head such that the surface of the material which receives the pollutant substance and water holds the water thereon to allow at least some of the water to evaporate therefrom. Evaporation of at least some of the water is desirable as less water passes through the product and, for example, into a waterway in proximity to the product.
  • the hydrophilic material may comprise a geotextile material.
  • the hydrophilic material may comprise a polyolefin material e.g. a polyethylene material or a polypropylene material. Such a material may be to some extent naturally hydrophobic.
  • the hydrophilic material may comprise one or more additives which act to make the material hydrophilic.
  • the hydrophilic material may support the formation of the biofilm at, at least, the interface between the materials.
  • the hydrophilic material may support the formation of the biofilm at other areas of the product, e.g. within the hydrophobic material.
  • the biofilm will form where conditions for its growth are suitable (e.g. where water and nutrients are), these may occur at least at the interface between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials. The level and length of activity of the biofilm would be expected to be highest at the interface.
  • the hydrophilic material may supply water for the biofilm by attracting and retaining water from the surroundings of the product.
  • the hydrophilic material may supply water for the biofilm by retaining water which passes through the hydrophobic material into the hydrophilic material.
  • the hydrophilic material may supply water for the biofilm by transferring water to the hydrophobic material.
  • the hydrophilic material may further support stabilisation of the biofilm.
  • the hydrophilic material may promote the long term stability of the biofilm.
  • At least some of the pollutant substance retained in the hydrophobic material may be bio-degraded over time by the biofilm.
  • the product may be provided with a plurality of dimples.
  • the number and distribution of the dimples may depend on the performance requirements of the product.
  • the presence of the dimples may increase the strength of the product, d ⁇ e to multiple bonding points between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials.
  • the dimples may be provided in the hydrophobic material.
  • the dimples may create unevenness. of the hydrophobic material.
  • the unevenness of the hydrophobic material may increase the surface area of the material, and create reservoirs for the pollutant substance. These may increase the retention of the pollutant substance by the product.
  • At least some of the dimples may each provide a reservoir. At least some of the reservoirs may catch some of the pollutant substance. When the pollutant substance is comprised in water, at least some of the reservoirs may catch some of the pollutant substance and water. At least some of the reservoirs which catch some of the pollutant substance and water may act to promote formation and/or stabilisation of biof ⁇ lm therein. At least some of the reservoirs which catch some of the pollutant substance and water may provide a water storage for the biofilm. At least some of the reservoirs which catch some of the pollutant substance and water may act as a refuge for the biofilm. The water storage and biofilm refuge are particularly useful in drought conditions.
  • the biofilm in the reservoirs may start to degrade the pollutant substance before it encounters the hydrophobic material. At least some of the reservoirs which catch some of the pollutant substance and water may act to reduce the velocity of penetration of the pollutant substance into the product. This may be due to the breakthrough head of the hydrophobic material, when the reservoirs are formed in this. The breakthrough head may be such to hold the pollutant substance and water on a surface of the hydrophobic material for a sufficient length of time to reduce the velocity of penetration of the pollutant substance. At least some of the reservoirs which catch some of the pollutant substance and water may act as pollutant substance/water separators. This may be due to the separation by gravity or differing densities of the pollutant substance and the water. At least some of the reservoirs which catch some of the pollutant substance and water may act to enhance evaporation of some of the water due to entrapment thereof.
  • the product may comprise one or more further materials.
  • One or more further materials may be provided adjacent the hydrophobic material.
  • One or more further materials may be provided adjacent the hydrophilic material.
  • the or each further material may be provided for a purpose other than those of the hydrophobic material and the hydrophilic material, e.g. one or more further materials may be provided as nutrients for the biofilm.
  • the product may be provided in sheet form.
  • the product may be provided with one or more upturned portions, for example at one or more edges of the product.
  • the product may be used as a layer under another material.
  • the product may be used as a layer under a pervious material, e.g. a pervious pavement.
  • the product may be used as a layer under an impervious material, with passage for pollutant substances and water around the impervious material.
  • the product may be used as a layer over another material.
  • the product may be used as a layer over soil, or modified soil, or an aggregate such as sand or gravel.
  • the product may be used to wrap around another material.
  • a permeable pavement system comprising a plurality of paving blocks, laid on at least one bedding material, which in turn is laid on at least one product according to the first aspect of the invention, which in turn is laid on at least one base material.
  • the paving blocks may be permeable to pollutant substances and water, and pollutant substances and water may pass through the blocks as well as around the blocks or through apertures provided between the blocks.
  • the paving blocks may be impermeable to pollutant substances and water, and pollutant substances and water may pass around the blocks or through apertures provided between the blocks.
  • the bedding material may be sand.
  • the base material may be soil, or modified soil, or an aggregate such as sand or gravel.
  • the product may be provided as a sheet between the bedding material and the base material.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic cross sectional view of a product according to the first aspect of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic cross sectional view of a permeable pavement system according to the second aspect of the invention.
  • the product comprises a layer of hydrophobic material 1, a layer of hydrophilic material 2, and an interface 3 between the layers.
  • the layers of hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials 1, 2 are fused together to form the product, such that they are intimately in contact with each other to provide the interface 3 between them. It will be appreciated that the product shown in the figure is by way of example only, and that the product could comprise more than one layer of hydrophobic material and more than one layer of hydrophilic material.
  • the layer of hydrophobic material 1 comprises a geotextile material, formed from a polyolefm material e.g. a polyethylene material or a polypropylene material.
  • the layer of hydrophobic material may further comprise one or more additives which act to improve the hydrophobic ability of the material.
  • the layer of hydrophilic material 2 comprises a geotextile material, formed from a polyolefm material e.g. a polyethylene material or a polypropylene material.
  • the layer of hydrophilic material may further comprise one or more additives which act to make the material hydrophilic.
  • the product is provided with dimples, one such dimple 4 being shown in the figure.
  • the dimples are provided in the layer of hydrophobic material I 5 as shown.
  • the dimples are applied to the hydrophobic material in a heat process using a studded roller.
  • the number and distribution of the dimples depends on the performance requirements of the product.
  • the presence of the dimples increases the strength of the product, due to multiple bonding points between the layers of hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials.
  • the product may be used to retain and degrade various pollutant substances.
  • the pollutant substances may comprise one or more mineral oils.
  • the oils may be comprised in water.
  • the layer of hydrophobic material 1 receives the oils and the water.
  • the dimples in the hydrophobic material 1 creates unevenness in the material, which increases its surface area and creates catchment reservoirs for the oils and water. Both of these increase the retention of the oils by the product. At least some of the reservoirs will catch some of the oils and water.
  • the reservoirs which do so will act to promote formation of biofilm within the reservoirs, by providing a water source for the biofilm. This biofilm will start to degrade the oils even before they encounter the hydrophobic material.
  • the reservoirs which catch some of the oils and water also act to reduce the velocity of penetration of the oils into the hydrophobic material. This is due to the breakthrough head of the hydrophobic material, which is such to hold the oils and water on the surface of the hydrophobic material, for a sufficient length of time to reduce the velocity of penetration of the oils (and the water) into the hydrophobic material.
  • the reservoirs which catch some of the oils and water will also act as oil/water separators. This is again due to the breakthrough head of the hydrophobic material.
  • the reservoirs which catch some of the oils and water will also act to enhance evaporation of water, due to the entrapment thereof. This evaporation is desirable as, as a result, less water passes through the product.
  • oils and water are received on an exposed surface of the layer of hydrophobic material 1.
  • the hydrophobic material will retain at least some of the oils, and pass at least some, and preferably most, of the water.
  • the oils are retained by chemical and/or physical interaction of the oils with the molecules of the hydrophobic material. At least some of the oils are thereby removed from the water passing through the hydrophobic material.
  • the water which passes through the layer of hydrophobic material passes into and is retained by the layer of hydrophilic material 2. This may wet the hydrophilic material until it is saturated, and excess water will then pass through the hydrophilic material into a material, e.g. a sub-base, provided beneath the layer of hydrophilic material.
  • the layer of hydrophilic material 2 may attract and retain water from the surroundings of the product.
  • the hydrophilic material supports the formation of a biofilm, by supplying water for the biofilm.
  • the biofilm will form where the conditions for its growth are suitable, e.g. where water and nutrients are.
  • the layer of hydrophilic material 2 supplies water, and the layer of hydrophobic material 1 supplies nutrients, i.e.
  • the oils which are retained therein This results in suitable conditions for biofilm formation at, at least, the interface 3 between the layers.
  • the hydrophilic material may transfer water into the hydrophobic material and biofilm may also form in the hydrophobic material. Wherever formed, the biofilm acts on the oils, to bio-degrade these over time.
  • the product may comprise further materials, adjacent the layer of hydrophobic material and/or adjacent the layer of hydrophilic material.
  • the further materials may be provided for a purpose other than those of the hydrophobic material and the hydrophilic material, e.g. as nutrients for the biofilm.
  • a permeable pavement system 10 comprising a plurality of paving blocks 11, laid on at least one bedding material 12, which in turn is laid on at least one product 13 (as described with reference to Figure 1), which in turn is laid on at least one base material 14.
  • the paving blocks 11 may be permeable to pollutant substances and water, or may be impermeable to pollutant substances and water. In either case the pollutant substances and water may pass around the blocks or through apertures between the blocks.
  • the bedding material 12 may be sand.
  • the base material 14 may be soil, or modified soil, or an aggregate such as sand or gravel.
  • the product 13 is provided as a sheet between the bedding material and the base material.
  • Such a permeable paving system may be installed in a variety of sites, for example as a car park in an urban area.
  • the system will act to retain and degrade at least some of pollutant substances, such as mineral oils, which may, for example, be spilled on the paving blocks 11.
  • pollutant substances such as mineral oils, which may, for example, be spilled on the paving blocks 11.
  • Such oils with or without water may seep through the paving blocks, if these are permeable, and/or may be washed by rainwater around the blocks or through apertures between the blocks.
  • the oils and water seep down through the bedding layer 12 onto the product 13. This is installed with the layer of hydrophobic material uppermost.
  • the oils and water are received by the layer of hydrophobic material, which retains at least some of the oils and passes at least some of the water.
  • At least some of the retained oils are degraded by the biofilm, as described above.
  • Some of the water is used by the biofilm, and/or retained by the layer of hydrophilic material, and/or may seep through the layer of hydrophilic layer and may be allowed to dissipate in the base layer or may be collected in a drainage system.
  • the use of such a permeable paving system with a drainage system may provide a so-called sustainable drainage system, which is environmentally desirable.

Abstract

A product for the retention and degradation of at least one pollutant substance, comprising a hydrophobic material (1), a hydrophilic material (2), and at least one interface (3) between the materials. The hydrophobic material receives and retains at least some of the pollutant substance, and the hydrophilic .material supports the formation of a biofilm by supplying water therefor, which biofilm degrades at least some of the pollutant substance retained by the hydrophobic material. The hydrophobic material and the hydrophilic material may comprise a geotextile material. The pollutant substance may comprise one or more mineral oils comprised in water. The hydrophobic material may receive the pollutant substance and the water, and may retain at least some of the pollutant substance and pass at least some of the water. At least some of the pollutant substance is thereby removed from the water passing through the hydrophobic material. The hydrophilic material may support the formation of the biofilm at, at least, the interface between .the materials, by supplying water for the biofilm. The product may be used in a permeate pavement system comprising a plurality of paving blocks, laid on at least one bedding material, which in turn is laid on at least one product, which in turn is laid on at least one base material.

Description

Title: Product for Retention and Degradation of Pollutant Substances Description of Invention There are various situations where pollutant substances may find their way into controlled waters. In urban environments, such as industrial sites, car parks, or residential areas, pollutant substances may be spilled and may seep into the ground water beneath such sites or may be washed by rain into run-off water drainage systems. In landfill sites, pollutant substances may be present in the material used as fill, and these may find their way into the ground water beneath the site or nearby water courses. It is desirable to at least reduce the amount of pollutant substances which find their way into such controlled waters.
Geotextile materials are commonly used in at least urban environments. Their purpose is often structural, but such materials can also act to trap pollutant substances. However, it has been found that the efficacy of such materials in trapping and degrading pollutant substances is dependent on the type of geotextile material used, the mode of use, and the quality of installation, etc. It is an aim of this invention to provide a product for the retention and, where appropriate, biodegradation of pollutant substances, which is specifically designed for this purpose, and which can be used to reduce the amount of such substances which are able to find their way into controlled waters and which addresses some of the problems associated with the use of known geotextile materials. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a product for the retention and degradation of at least one pollutant substance, comprising a hydrophobic material, a hydrophilic material, and at least one interface between the materials, wherein the hydrophobic material receives and retains at least some of the pollutant substance, and the hydrophilic material supports the formation of a biofilm by supplying water therefor, which biofilm degrades at least some of the pollutant substance retained by the hydrophobic material. The product may comprise a layer of hydrophobic material. The product may comprise a layer of hydrophilic material. The layers may be intimately in contact with each other, to provide the interface between the materials. The product may comprise more than one layer of hydrophobic material. The product may comprise more than one layer of hydrophilic material. The layers may be intimately in contact with each other, to provide more than one interface between the materials.
The or each layer of hydrophobic and hydrophilic material may be fused together to form the product. Alternatively, the or each layer of hydrophobic and hydrophilic material may be held together mechanically e.g. by stitching. Alternatively, the or each layer of hydrophobic and hydrophilic material may be laid down together to form the product.
The hydrophobic material may comprise a geotextile material. The hydrophobic material may comprise a polyolefin material e.g. a polyethylene material, or a polypropylene material, or a material comprising both polypropylene and polyethylene. Such a material may be to some extent naturally hydrophobic. The hydrophobic material may comprise one or more additives which act to improve the hydrophobic ability of the material. The additives may comprise perfluorinated additives, such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The hydrophobic material may comprise one or more additives which act to increase the oleophilic ability of the material. The additives may comprise a mineral material, such as calcium carbonate.
The hydrophobic material may retain at least some of the pollutant substance by chemical and/or physical interaction of the pollutant substance with molecules of the hydrophobic material. The pollutant substance may comprise a hydrophobic pollutant substance. The pollutant substance may comprise a non-aqueous phase liquid. The non-aqueous phase liquid may comprise a hydrocarbon substance, for example trichloroethylene or benzene or a mineral oil or a vegetable oil, and/or may comprise lanolin. The pollutant substance may comprise a non- hydrophobic pollutant substance, such as a particulate substance. At least some of the pollutant substance may then be retained by the hydrophobic material by filtration. The pollutant substance may be comprised in water.
The hydrophobic material may receive the pollutant substance comprised in water, and may retain at least some of the pollutant substance and may pass at least some of the water. At least some of the pollutant substance is thereby removed from the water.
The hydrophobic material may receive the pollutant substance comprised in water, on a surface thereof. The hydrophobic material may have a breakthrough head such that the surface of the material which receives the pollutant substance and water holds the pollutant substance and water thereon to reduce the velocity of penetration of the pollutant substance into the hydrophobic material. This reduces the possibility of the pollutant substance being able to force its way through the product. The hydrophobic material may have a breakthrough head such that the surface of the material which receives the pollutant substance and water holds the water thereon to allow at least some of the water to evaporate therefrom. Evaporation of at least some of the water is desirable as less water passes through the product and, for example, into a waterway in proximity to the product. The hydrophilic material may comprise a geotextile material. The hydrophilic material may comprise a polyolefin material e.g. a polyethylene material or a polypropylene material. Such a material may be to some extent naturally hydrophobic. The hydrophilic material may comprise one or more additives which act to make the material hydrophilic. The hydrophilic material may support the formation of the biofilm at, at least, the interface between the materials. The hydrophilic material may support the formation of the biofilm at other areas of the product, e.g. within the hydrophobic material. The biofilm will form where conditions for its growth are suitable (e.g. where water and nutrients are), these may occur at least at the interface between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials. The level and length of activity of the biofilm would be expected to be highest at the interface.
The hydrophilic material may supply water for the biofilm by attracting and retaining water from the surroundings of the product. The hydrophilic material may supply water for the biofilm by retaining water which passes through the hydrophobic material into the hydrophilic material. The hydrophilic material may supply water for the biofilm by transferring water to the hydrophobic material. The hydrophilic material may further support stabilisation of the biofilm.
The hydrophilic material may promote the long term stability of the biofilm.
At least some of the pollutant substance retained in the hydrophobic material may be bio-degraded over time by the biofilm.
The product may be provided with a plurality of dimples. The number and distribution of the dimples may depend on the performance requirements of the product. The presence of the dimples may increase the strength of the product, dμe to multiple bonding points between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials. The dimples may be provided in the hydrophobic material. The dimples may create unevenness. of the hydrophobic material. The unevenness of the hydrophobic material may increase the surface area of the material, and create reservoirs for the pollutant substance. These may increase the retention of the pollutant substance by the product.
At least some of the dimples may each provide a reservoir. At least some of the reservoirs may catch some of the pollutant substance. When the pollutant substance is comprised in water, at least some of the reservoirs may catch some of the pollutant substance and water. At least some of the reservoirs which catch some of the pollutant substance and water may act to promote formation and/or stabilisation of biofϊlm therein. At least some of the reservoirs which catch some of the pollutant substance and water may provide a water storage for the biofilm. At least some of the reservoirs which catch some of the pollutant substance and water may act as a refuge for the biofilm. The water storage and biofilm refuge are particularly useful in drought conditions. The biofilm in the reservoirs may start to degrade the pollutant substance before it encounters the hydrophobic material. At least some of the reservoirs which catch some of the pollutant substance and water may act to reduce the velocity of penetration of the pollutant substance into the product. This may be due to the breakthrough head of the hydrophobic material, when the reservoirs are formed in this. The breakthrough head may be such to hold the pollutant substance and water on a surface of the hydrophobic material for a sufficient length of time to reduce the velocity of penetration of the pollutant substance. At least some of the reservoirs which catch some of the pollutant substance and water may act as pollutant substance/water separators. This may be due to the separation by gravity or differing densities of the pollutant substance and the water. At least some of the reservoirs which catch some of the pollutant substance and water may act to enhance evaporation of some of the water due to entrapment thereof.
The product may comprise one or more further materials. One or more further materials may be provided adjacent the hydrophobic material. One or more further materials may be provided adjacent the hydrophilic material. The or each further material may be provided for a purpose other than those of the hydrophobic material and the hydrophilic material, e.g. one or more further materials may be provided as nutrients for the biofilm. The product may be provided in sheet form. The product may be provided with one or more upturned portions, for example at one or more edges of the product. The product may be used as a layer under another material. For example, the product may be used as a layer under a pervious material, e.g. a pervious pavement. For example, the product may be used as a layer under an impervious material, with passage for pollutant substances and water around the impervious material. The product may be used as a layer over another material. For example, the product may be used as a layer over soil, or modified soil, or an aggregate such as sand or gravel. The product may be used to wrap around another material.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a permeable pavement system comprising a plurality of paving blocks, laid on at least one bedding material, which in turn is laid on at least one product according to the first aspect of the invention, which in turn is laid on at least one base material.
The paving blocks may be permeable to pollutant substances and water, and pollutant substances and water may pass through the blocks as well as around the blocks or through apertures provided between the blocks. The paving blocks may be impermeable to pollutant substances and water, and pollutant substances and water may pass around the blocks or through apertures provided between the blocks. The bedding material may be sand. The base material may be soil, or modified soil, or an aggregate such as sand or gravel. The product may be provided as a sheet between the bedding material and the base material. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a schematic cross sectional view of a product according to the first aspect of the invention, and Figure 2 is a schematic cross sectional view of a permeable pavement system according to the second aspect of the invention.
Referring to Figure 1, the product comprises a layer of hydrophobic material 1, a layer of hydrophilic material 2, and an interface 3 between the layers. The layers of hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials 1, 2 are fused together to form the product, such that they are intimately in contact with each other to provide the interface 3 between them. It will be appreciated that the product shown in the figure is by way of example only, and that the product could comprise more than one layer of hydrophobic material and more than one layer of hydrophilic material.
The layer of hydrophobic material 1 comprises a geotextile material, formed from a polyolefm material e.g. a polyethylene material or a polypropylene material. The layer of hydrophobic material may further comprise one or more additives which act to improve the hydrophobic ability of the material. The layer of hydrophilic material 2 comprises a geotextile material, formed from a polyolefm material e.g. a polyethylene material or a polypropylene material. The layer of hydrophilic material may further comprise one or more additives which act to make the material hydrophilic. The product is provided with dimples, one such dimple 4 being shown in the figure. The dimples are provided in the layer of hydrophobic material I5 as shown. The dimples are applied to the hydrophobic material in a heat process using a studded roller. The number and distribution of the dimples depends on the performance requirements of the product. The presence of the dimples increases the strength of the product, due to multiple bonding points between the layers of hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials.
The product may be used to retain and degrade various pollutant substances. For example, the pollutant substances may comprise one or more mineral oils. The oils may be comprised in water. The layer of hydrophobic material 1 receives the oils and the water. The dimples in the hydrophobic material 1 creates unevenness in the material, which increases its surface area and creates catchment reservoirs for the oils and water. Both of these increase the retention of the oils by the product. At least some of the reservoirs will catch some of the oils and water. The reservoirs which do so will act to promote formation of biofilm within the reservoirs, by providing a water source for the biofilm. This biofilm will start to degrade the oils even before they encounter the hydrophobic material. The reservoirs which catch some of the oils and water also act to reduce the velocity of penetration of the oils into the hydrophobic material. This is due to the breakthrough head of the hydrophobic material, which is such to hold the oils and water on the surface of the hydrophobic material, for a sufficient length of time to reduce the velocity of penetration of the oils (and the water) into the hydrophobic material.
The reservoirs which catch some of the oils and water will also act as oil/water separators. This is again due to the breakthrough head of the hydrophobic material. The reservoirs which catch some of the oils and water will also act to enhance evaporation of water, due to the entrapment thereof. This evaporation is desirable as, as a result, less water passes through the product.
The oils and water are received on an exposed surface of the layer of hydrophobic material 1. When the pressure exerted by the oils and water on the surface exceeds the breakthrough head of the hydrophobic material, oils and
, water are forced into the material. The hydrophobic material will retain at least some of the oils, and pass at least some, and preferably most, of the water. The oils are retained by chemical and/or physical interaction of the oils with the molecules of the hydrophobic material. At least some of the oils are thereby removed from the water passing through the hydrophobic material.
The water which passes through the layer of hydrophobic material passes into and is retained by the layer of hydrophilic material 2. This may wet the hydrophilic material until it is saturated, and excess water will then pass through the hydrophilic material into a material, e.g. a sub-base, provided beneath the layer of hydrophilic material. In addition to, or alternatively to, the above, the layer of hydrophilic material 2 may attract and retain water from the surroundings of the product. The hydrophilic material supports the formation of a biofilm, by supplying water for the biofilm. The biofilm will form where the conditions for its growth are suitable, e.g. where water and nutrients are. The layer of hydrophilic material 2 supplies water, and the layer of hydrophobic material 1 supplies nutrients, i.e. the oils which are retained therein. This results in suitable conditions for biofilm formation at, at least, the interface 3 between the layers. In practice, the hydrophilic material may transfer water into the hydrophobic material and biofilm may also form in the hydrophobic material. Wherever formed, the biofilm acts on the oils, to bio-degrade these over time.
The product may comprise further materials, adjacent the layer of hydrophobic material and/or adjacent the layer of hydrophilic material. The further materials may be provided for a purpose other than those of the hydrophobic material and the hydrophilic material, e.g. as nutrients for the biofilm.
Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a permeable pavement system 10 comprising a plurality of paving blocks 11, laid on at least one bedding material 12, which in turn is laid on at least one product 13 (as described with reference to Figure 1), which in turn is laid on at least one base material 14. The paving blocks 11 may be permeable to pollutant substances and water, or may be impermeable to pollutant substances and water. In either case the pollutant substances and water may pass around the blocks or through apertures between the blocks. The bedding material 12 may be sand. The base material 14 may be soil, or modified soil, or an aggregate such as sand or gravel. The product 13 is provided as a sheet between the bedding material and the base material. Such a permeable paving system may be installed in a variety of sites, for example as a car park in an urban area. The system will act to retain and degrade at least some of pollutant substances, such as mineral oils, which may, for example, be spilled on the paving blocks 11. Such oils with or without water may seep through the paving blocks, if these are permeable, and/or may be washed by rainwater around the blocks or through apertures between the blocks. The oils and water seep down through the bedding layer 12 onto the product 13. This is installed with the layer of hydrophobic material uppermost. The oils and water are received by the layer of hydrophobic material, which retains at least some of the oils and passes at least some of the water. At least some of the retained oils are degraded by the biofilm, as described above. Some of the water is used by the biofilm, and/or retained by the layer of hydrophilic material, and/or may seep through the layer of hydrophilic layer and may be allowed to dissipate in the base layer or may be collected in a drainage system. The use of such a permeable paving system with a drainage system, may provide a so-called sustainable drainage system, which is environmentally desirable.
When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A product for the retention and degradation of at least one pollutant substance, comprising a hydrophobic material, a hydrophilic material, and at least one interface between the materials, wherein the hydrophobic material receives and retains at least some of the pollutant substance, and the hydrophilic material supports the formation of a biofilm by supplying water therefor, which biofilm degrades at least some of the pollutant substance retained by the hydrophobic material.
2. A product according to claim 1 which comprises a layer of hydrophobic material and a layer of hydrophilic material.
3. A product according to claim 2 in which the layers are intimately in contact with each other, to provide the interface between the materials.
4. A product according to any preceding claim in which the hydrophobic material comprises a geotextile material.
5. A product according to any preceding claim in which the hydrophobic material comprises a polyolefin material.
6. A product according to any preceding claim in which the pollutant substance comprises a hydrophobic pollutant substance.
7. A product according to claim 6 in which the pollutant substance comprises a hydrocarbon substance.
8. A product according to any preceding claim in which the pollutant substance is comprised in water.
9. A product according to claim 8 in which the hydrophobic material receives the pollutant substance and the water, on a surface thereof, and the hydrophobic material has a breakthrough head such that the surface holds the pollutant substance and water thereon to reduce the velocity of penetration of the pollutant substance into the hydrophobic material.
10. A product according to any preceding claim in which the hydrophilic material comprises a geotextile material.
11. A product according to any preceding claim in which the hydrophilic material comprises a polyolefin material.
12. A product according to any preceding claim in which the hydrophilic material supports the formation of the biofilm at, at least, the interface between the materials.
13. A product according to any preceding claim in which the hydrophilic material supports formation of the biofilm in the hydrophobic material.
14. A product according to any preceding claim in which the hydrophilic material supplies water for the biofilm by retaining water which passes through the hydrophobic material into the hydrophilic material.
15. A product according to any preceding claim in which the hydrophilic material supplies water for the biofilm by transferring water from the hydrophilic material to the hydrophobic material.
16. A product according to any preceding claim which is provided with a plurality of dimples.
17. A product according to claim 16 in which the dimples are provided in the hydrophobic material.
18. A product according to claim 17 in which the dimples create unevenness of the hydrophobic material, which increases the surface area of the hydrophobic material, and creates reservoirs for the pollutant substance, which increase the retention of the pollutant substance by the product.
19. A product according to any of claims 16 to 18 in which at least some of the dimples provide a reservoir.
20. A product according to claim 19 as dependent from claim 8 in which at least some of the reservoirs catch some of the pollutant substance and water and provide a water storage and a refuge for biofilm therein.
21. A product according to claim 19 or claim 20 as dependent from claim 8 in which at least some of the reservoirs catch some of the pollutant substance and water and act to reduce the velocity of penetration of the pollutant substance into the hydrophobic material.
22. A product according to any of claims 19 to 20 as dependent from claim 8 in which at least some of the reservoirs catch some of the pollutant substance and water and act as pollutant substance/water separators.
23. A product according to any of claims 19 to 22 as dependent from claim 8 in which at least some of the reservoirs catch some of the pollutant substance and water and act to enhance evaporation of some of the water due to entrapment thereof.
24. A permeable pavement system comprising a plurality of paving blocks, which are laid on at least one bedding material, which in turn is laid on at least one product according to any of claims 1 to 23, which in turn is laid on at least one base material.
25. A system according to claim 24 in which the product is provided as a sheet between the bedding material and the base material.
26. A product substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
27. A system substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
EP05775807A 2004-08-21 2005-08-19 Product for retention and degradation of pollutant substances Withdrawn EP1797007A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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GB0418713A GB2418640B (en) 2004-08-21 2004-08-21 Product for retention and degradation of pollutant substances
PCT/GB2005/003248 WO2006021756A1 (en) 2004-08-21 2005-08-19 Product for retention and degradation of pollutant substances

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GB0418713D0 (en) 2004-09-22
GB2418640A (en) 2006-04-05
GB2418640B (en) 2009-11-18

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