Evaluation of the Impact of Filter Media Depth on Filtration Performance and Clogging Formation of a Stormwater Sand Filter

Abstract

Sand filters are widely used in infiltration systems to manage polluted urban runoff. Clogging, which is mainly caused by the deposition of sediments on the filter media, reduces the filter system’s infiltration capacity, which further limits its lifespan and function. The physical, chemical and biological clogging characteristics of sand filter, therefore, need to be known for effective design and maintenance. Physical clogging behavior and variations in the characteristics of sand filters according to different media depths are examined in this paper. The variations were observed from laboratory column infiltration tests conducted in a vertical flow and fluctuating head condition. It can be seen that an increase in filter media depth results in a high sediment removal performance; however, it leads to a shorter lifespan due to clogging. In the choice of filter media depth to be used in field applications, therefore, the purpose of facilities as well as maintenance costs need to be considered. At all filter media depth configurations, premature clogging occurred because sediments of 100~250 μm clogged the top 15% of filter media depth. Thus, scrapping the top 15% of filter media may be suggested as the first operational maintenance process for the infiltration system