Vortechs – Shallow Profile Hydrodynamic Separator

The Vortechs system is a vault-style hydrodynamic separator for treating stormwater runoff. The Vortechs system combines swirl concentration and flow controls into a single unit for removing fine particles and other pollutants. It utilizes a four stage chamber design (swirl, floatables, flow control, and outlet chambers) with a special baffle and weir design to effectively remove sediment, litter, debris and hydrocarbons.

All Vortechs systems maintain a shallow profile – typically one meter below invert – making the system ideal for applications with high groundwater, bedrock or utility conflicts. Vortechs offers the largest treatment zone surface area of any swirl concentrator systems available allowing removal of particles down to 50 µm in size.

How the Vortechs Stormwater Treatment System Works

How it Works

The stormwater enters the Vortechs’ swirl chamber through the inlet pipe. The first chamber is a large swirl chamber that operates as a low energy environment facilitated by the flow control baffles. Gravity separation of solids occurs in the first chamber and material settles on the treatment chamber floor.

The second chamber incorporates a baffle wall and is designed to trap floatables, hydrocarbons, and excess debris, which remains on the surface of the water level.

Stormwater then enters the flow control chamber under the baffle wall. The flow control chamber is equipped with two separate flow control openings precisely designed for treatment and peak flows. The flow controls reduce inflow velocity and increase residence time allowing for effective removal of fine solids.

Treated stormwater falls into outlet bay through the flow control openings and leaves the Vortechs systems through the outlet pipe. With direct, unobstructed above ground access available over each chamber, maintenance of the Vortech stormwater treatment system is a quick and simple process. No need for entering the unit during vacuum truck servicing.

Key Features and Advantages

DESIGN FLEXIBILITY – Can be designed to treat flows up to 850 L/s
SHALLOW PROFILE – Cost effective installation for high groundwater and bedrock applications. Invert 1 m below ground.
SITE SPECIFC DESIGN – Completely customizable to operate under various site conditions. Optimized design using hydraulic and grit loading calculations.
FLOATABLE CHAMBER – Captures floatables, grease, and oils.
MAINTENANCE – Surface access for inspection and cleanout, no confined space entry required.
STRUCUTRE FLEXIBILITY – Can accommodate secondary inlets and various outlet configurations.

Approvals

Vortechs has been verified by some of the most stringent stormwater technology evaluation organizations in North America, including:

State of Washington Department of Ecology (WASHDOE)

Configuration

The Vortechs is a versatile oil grit separator which can be designed to treat variety of flows. It is available in the following options:

Inline and offline configurations
Secondary inlets and various outlet configurations

Applications

Vortechs is commonly used to provide stormwater quality control (trash, debris, sediment and hydrocarbon removal) in numerous applications including:

PARKING LOTS – Commercial, Industrial, and Institutions
RESIDENTIAL – Medium and High-density
INDUSTRIAL YARDS – Maintenance facilities and corporation yards
MUNICIPAL – Roadways, bridges, transit facilities
PRE-TREATMENT – for filtration, detention/infiltration, bioretention, rainwater harvesting systems, and Low Impact Development designs.