Exploring Granular Filter Media in Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) for Stormwater PollutantAdsorption: A Pilot Study

Tota-Maharaj, Kiran, Karunanayake, Chamaka, Cheddie, Denver, MD.Azamathulla, Hazi and Rathnayake, Upaka (2024) Exploring Granular Filter Media in Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) for Stormwater PollutantAdsorption: A Pilot Study. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 210. pp. 437-444. ISSN 1744-3563

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Abstract

Granular filter media are integral to sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) for their efficiency in removing pollutants from urban runoff. This study focuses on understanding the filtration processes within these media by combining a pilot experimental study with a modeling approach. The experimental study involved characterizing the physical and hydraulic properties of various granular filter media materials, including sand, pea-gravel, gravel, and geotextile membranes. Three laboratory-scale stormwater filtration rigs were tested to evaluate the filter me-dia's pollutant removal capacity and hydraulic performance. This work presents a phenomenological model that predicts the spatial variation in the concentrations of stormwater and urban runoff substances, specifically nitrate ions (NO 3-), phosphate ions (PO 4 3-), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and suspended solids, by studying their concentration profiles. The stormwater quality model was used to predict the concentration profiles for stormwater with an average inflow consisting of 2.9 mg/L nitrates, 3.4 mg/L phosphate ions, 225 mg/L COD, and 3.3 mg/L of suspended solids. The predicted outlet concentrations matched well with measured experimental data. The results showed that adding geotextile membranes to a granular filter significantly improves its ability to adsorb dissolved species for stormwater applications. This research highlights the importance of understanding the physical and hydraulic properties of granular filter media and their impact on stormwater pollutant removal efficiency. The developed model can assist in the design and optimization of stormwater treatment systems by predicting the performance of different filter media materials, allowing for informed decision-making and improved system functionality.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Stormwater management, Granular filter media, Stormwater treatment systems, Stormwater quality model, Water pollutant adsorption, Pollutant removal, Geotextile membranes.
Divisions:	Land and Property Management
Depositing User:	Professor Kiran Tota-Maharaj
Date Deposited:	01 May 2025 16:27
Last Modified:	01 May 2025 16:27
URI:	https://rau.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/16938

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