Chicago Stormwater Challenge 1

[psmart]

I thought this might be of interest to folks on Eng-Tips:

Storm Water Challenge: Flow Restrictor Design

The Chicago Department of Water Management seeks designs for the next generation of Flow Restrictors to be installed in catch basins throughout the City sewer system. Flow Restrictors allow stormwater to temporarily pond on the street reducing sewer surcharges and flooded basements. The City is looking to improve upon the current Flow Restrictor, Vortex Restrictor, being used in residential catch basins.

This is an public crowdsourcing challenge. The Chicago Department of Water Management is using this innovative, open-source approach to:

* Encourage participation through a global network of engineers, problem solvers, and institutions (Universities, etc).
* Maintain transparency throughout the design, evaluation and procurement process.
* Minimize design and development costs by condensing the overall design timeline and required administration.
* Emerge with a product that meets all design specifications.

The Challenge includes $10,000.00 to each design that scores high enough for prototype development. The development of the prototype will then be field tested and one will be selected for a sole-source contract for the winning design team to supply the restrictors (est. $3-10M). Submissions will be received from across the globe and scored by the City of Chicago.

Details here:

http://www.ideablender.com/water/

BTW, I have no involvement in this program. I just thought it might be of interest to others.

Peter Smart
HydroCAD Software

http://www.hydrocad.net

 

[msquared48]

I trust that this is stormwater only so that the restrictors will not have to pass chunks of, well... whatever.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[francesca]

People don't litter in Chicago?

 

[ACtrafficengr]

"allow stormwater to temporarily pond on the street"

That will work real well in winter, won't it? Perhaps detention within the drainage structure is more approopriate?

"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928

 

[DMcGrath]

Crowdsourcing = "we want you to work for free".

This "development method" is already gaining traction in advertising and IT development, please don't let this happen to engineering.

 

[PeteMulz]

Chicago has a combined sewer, and they already restrict flows with a restrictor. They are searching a new design, one which has lower maintenance, ie less clogging.
The restrictor is located in the catch basin, and thus has no interaction with sewage. Freezing has not been a problem, as the detention time is short ~ 4 hrs, furthermore, there are few storms or snow melts that produce enough flow where it gets restricted to the point of ponding. I suggest you give the crowd source a chance, or at least see if it generates better design/more innovation and thus an improved environment.

 

[nackra]

http://www.hydro-international.biz/us/media/WeW_SS_RUF2.pdf

I had a midwest client that selected this regulator for Combined Sewer System. Restrict Q to sanitary sewer and divert excess Q to overflow system. Their experience was lower maintenance cost for this device over other eqpt.

 

[psmart]

nackra: I believe they are already using vortex valves, and are looking for another solution.

"The City is looking to improve upon the current Flow Restrictor, Vortex Restrictor, being used in residential catch basins."

Peter Smart
HydroCAD Software

http://www.hydrocad.net