ECO Pump successfully prevents slow release of oil from Substation Secondary Containment System

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1 Substation Secondary Containment System In January, 2013 a C.I.Agent Storm Water Solutions ECO Pump was installed at a Cleveland area substation for a major utility as part of the secondary containment system. This was a new site with new transformers and containment area. The ECO Pump was located in a sump where the containment site drains. The ECO Pump is a robust submersible pump and zero voltage pump switch designed with a C.I.Agent oil solidifying filter. This design allows for all pump discharges to first be filtered through a one micron pre-filter, and if hydrocarbons overwhelm the pre-filter, a main filter filled with C.I.Agent polymers will solidify not allowing any hydrocarbons to leave the site. In late May, the utility informed C.I. Agent Solutions that the pump was running continuously. On June 4, 2013 a ECO Pump set in utility vault C.I.Agent Solutions representative visited the site to witness the ECO Pump performance. Upon arrival to the site, it was observed that the new transformer had been leaking and there was oil on the top of the pad, on three sides of the pad, and on the stone around the pad. The representative confirmed this with a Hydrocarbon Detection Strip. Oil leaking from transformer and indicated by Hydrocarbon Detection Strip

2 There was no visible oil in the sump. The representative monitored the water coming out of the ECO Pump and tested it with Hydrocarbon Detection Strips. No visible sheen was detected nor did the strip indicate the presence of hydrocarbons. The ECO Pump, probably through vibration, had moved slightly and trapped the float switch inside the ECO Pump, causing the pump to run continuously. The ECO Pump was put back in position and was functioning normally again. No oil presence downstream A couple of weeks later C.I.Agent Solutions was contacted as the ECO Pump was not pumping. On June 28, 2013 the C.I.Agent Solutions representative brought a new ECO Pump to the site. This model had a sealed bottom. The addition of a bottom to the ECO Pump makes it impossible for the bottom of the pump to move and lodge against the float switch as the pump bottom is bolted to the filter bottom. This is a permanent addition to all new ECO Pumps. Oil sheen visible in the manhole The representative opened the lid of the manhole to find three feet of water above the original ECO Pump. The water had oil sheen on the surface. He unplugged the pump and checked the outlet for current. It was hot. He lowered the new ECO Pump into the sump and anchored it to keep it from moving. He plugged in the new ECO Pump and it pumped for more than an hour, nonstop, until the water in the sump was about six inches down from the top of the pump. The oil sheen was getting heavier as time passed. The water that was being pumped and discharged out of the ECO Pump was monitored and checked with Hydrocarbon Detection Strips. There was no indication of oil. The pump stopped pumping even though water was still higher than the normal float setting. The ECO Pump top contains a sealed plug that can be removed to view the internal components inside the filter as well as to test the float switch and thus pump. The plug was removed from the top of the ECO Pump. It was observed that water flow through the filter was nearly stopped. When the float was manually lifted the pump would turn on and was functioning properly. 2 P a g e

3 The new ECO Pump was unplugged and removed from the sump. The old ECO Pump was also removed. The pre-filter on the outside of both ECO Pumps was saturated with oil. The ECO Pumps, both original and replacement, had been blinded by the oil and kept the contaminated water in the sump and containment unit. This utility and many others had used oil sensing switches for this application in the past. After many years of failures, this utility decided to change to the ECO Pump technology. Through laboratory testing of this situation, if the utility had continued using the oil sensing switch, it would have released the oil. The representative returned the two ECO Pumps to the factory for further evaluation. Upon evaluation: Box 1 (the first ECO Pump with no bottom) The perforated cylinder and pump looked to be in good shape. The pump was powered and activated with the float switch. The pump performed to specifications. Box 2 (the second ECO Pump with a bottom) The perforated cylinder, switch and pump looked to be in good shape. The pump performed to specifications. Analysis Pre-Filter: The pre-filtration fabrics were analyzed for total oil content on ECO Pump #1 with a bottom and ECO Pump #2 without a bottom. (Note: ECO Pump#1 is actually the second pump used and ECO Pump #2 was the original pump) The total square inches of each pre-filter were 820 sq. in. A 36 square inch vertical strip was taken from each prefilter and the oil extracted with DCM per EPA method 3550 for solids. The DCM extract was dried with sodium sulfate. The DCM evaporated off at 120C and the weight of residue weighed. The residue was light oil with a slight petroleum odor. (see photo). The specific gravity of the oil was This constant was used to convert weight to volume. Hydrocarbons from pre-filters 3 P a g e

4 Oil in Pre-Filters Results Pre-filter pump#1 Pre-filter pump#2 Wt. oil in 36sq/in test strip grams Total oil in 820 sq./in prefilter grams Total Vol. oil in Prefilter 680 ml or 3/4 quart 326ml or 1/3 quart Physical Inspection of the Filters: The filters from ECO Pump #1 with a sealed bottom and ECO Pump #2 without a bottom were inspected for evidence of oil solidification/encapsulation. The ECO Pump filter resides inside the pre-filter, and contains 6 layers of C.I. Agent Agent-Q. Each layer contains quilted packets of C.I.Agent, a proprietary oil solidifier polymer which is designed to allow water to freely pass through, while retaining and encapsulating oils. When the polymers become fully saturated with oil, the solidification process causes swelling and agglomeration of the free polymer into flakes and sheets which seal off all flow of both oil and water. Oil saturation Filter #: 1 ECO Pump with Bottom Filter #2: ECO Pump without Bottom The examination of the solidifier in the Agent Q packets as shown in the above photos reveals that the fine polymer powder has agglomerated into flakes indicating oil saturation. Unfortunately it is not possible to solvent extract out the oil from the polymer filter to determine the extent of oil saturation, as the polymer will encapsulate the solvent, and dissolve into the solvent during the extraction process. The filter acts like a chemical valve and is operating successfully if the following conditions are met: The pump influent through the filter is restricted preventing pumping Field inspection through the pump top removable plug will validate water restriction Evidence of pre-filters saturated with oil Examination of polymer for agglomeration into flakes showing that the chemical valve had been successfully activated preventing a release of oil 4 P a g e

5 It was concluded through these studies and the field testing that both ECO Pump filters performed their expected function. Oil, both emulsified and non-emulsified, was stopped in the sump and prevented from leaving the site. C.I.Agent Storm Water Solutions brings together diverse talents and experience to continually seek out innovative ideas and partnerships to offer solutions to a variety of industries and government entities. If your facilities, operations or jurisdiction are looking for ways to keep pollutants out of the environment or certain systems, bring your challenge to C.I.Agent Storm Water Solutions. Water Monitoring Systems Water Filtering Systems Water Inlet Protection Water Diversion Systems C.I.Agent Storm Water Solutions, LLC 5142 Bolsa Ave, Suite 105 Huntington Beach, CA USA P a g e