Vortex Flow Controls

To maintain stormwater flow within specified maximum discharge rate

Designed to suit customer specification, our stormwater vortex control technology can be manufactured to suit practically any attenuation situation, typically for between 1 and 1,000 l/s, although up to 2,000 l/s is possible. We also provide a full technical support and product advice service.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• Downstream access for maintenance
• Emergency drain down - easy operation from ground level
• Self-activating, with no moving parts
• No external energy requirements
• Resistant to abrasion and corrosion
• Unique head/flow relationship can produce savings in storage volumes
• Fabricated as standard in grade 304 stainless steel (grade 316 available on request)

HOW IT WORKS

Flows enter the control tangentially. At low flows the liquid passes straight through the control. As the rate of flow increases the increase in hydraulic energy causes the liquid to attempt to rotate around the inner face of the control. This relative instability lasts until the hydraulic head has risen sufficiently to provide enough energy for the liquid to rotate consistently.

When the flow rate reaches this level the liquid rotates at high velocity around the inner face of the control, resulting in an air filled vortex. At this point the vortex flow control is considered to be fully initiated.

The air core occupies more of the space in the outlet of the control than the water, and the flow exits the device from around the outer edge of the outlet as a spray rather than a jet. Vortex flow controls therefore have much larger outlet cross-sectional areas than conventional flow controls and so are much less prone to blockage.

Due to the bespoke design and manufacture of the unit, at no point during this process does the flow exceed the maximum design flow rate.

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