Final presentation

Design of an Active Control Outlet
in a Stormwater Drainage Basin
Rose Degner, Paige Kimble, Brandon Perkins & Pa-Sweet Betancourt
Clemson University, Clemson, SC
October 22, 2020

Outline
• Introduction
• Background
• Rationale
• Objective(s)
• Approaches
• Literature Review
• Materials and Methods
• Results
• Recommendations
• Acknowledgements

Background - Climate Change
• Warming climate
• Atmosphere holds
more water
• More frequent and
more intense storms
50 year trends in river discharge

Background - Growing Urban Development
• Global population is growing
• Countries are becoming more
urban
• 55% world population
• Increasing development leads
to increasing impervious
surface areas
Urbanization in the past 500 years for 4 major countries and the world

Background - Impervious Surface Area
• Impervious surface areas
• Less infiltration
• Higher rates of runoff
• 1.1 year return period storm
• Natural peak flow: 82.45 m3/s
• Urban peak flow: 209.29 m3/s
• Larger storms hitting a larger
area of impervious surfaces
• Flooding, erosion, water quality
Shape of flood hydrographs for surfaces with
varying imperviousness

Background - Small Solutions
• Larger infrastructures needed for
extensive flooding
• Small changes on a universal
scale
• Improve widespread water quality
• Reduce hydraulic stress on smaller
receiving water bodies
Stormwater
management for a
neighborhood
Flooding in
Philadelphia

Background - Stormwater Retention Basins
• 1987 National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System
• Stormwater retention systems used for
the first time
• Main benefit: Total Suspended
Solids (TSS) reduction
• Erosion control and flooding
management Pre and post development hydrologic cycles

Background - Stormwater Retention Basins
• How do they help?
• Runoff retention (TSS
settling)
• Steady release of the water
• Infiltration
• Some vegetative uptake
• Basin design is for
• Certain % TSS removal
• Certain storm event
• Ex. 10 year, 24 hour storm
Stormwater Retention Pond diagram

Background - Static Outlets
• Open pipe outlet
• TSS settles as the water is
released
• Designed for average conditions
• Not always effective for
• More intense storms
• If field conditions change
• Water released to mimic pre-
development flows
• Young technology
• 30 years
• Room for improvement
Outlet structure at design site (above)
Close up of static outlet at design site
(left)

Background - Active Outlets
• Outlet can be adjusted
• Open, partially open,
closed
• Can consider
• Weather forecast
• Pond water level
• Maximize retention time
• Better mimic pre
development flow
Stormwater basin outlet structure

Background - Active Outlets
• Can increase efficiency in
• Water pollutant reduction
• Basin location
• Basin design
• Smaller ponds
• More cost effective
• Better use of land
• Can be retrofitted onto pre-
existing retention ponds Flow Duration Curves for static and active outlet
systems

Background - Site Information
• Pre-existing pond in Pelzer, SC
• At the base of Bargain Food Store
• Main constituent is nutrients
• TSS can be used to gauge success
• 2004 inflow and outflow data taken by Woolpert
• 6 sampling events
• 12 samples throughout storm event
• Max TSS inlet concentration: 876 mg/L
• Average TSS inlet concentration: 124 mg/L
• Average % reduction: 56.05%
• More site information covered later
Satellite image of site with stormwater basin
outlined in red

Rationale
● Increased intensity of rain and continuous urbanization
○ Flooding concerns
○ Water quality concerns
● Active control outlets
○ Stormwater drainage is more efficient
○ Improves stormwater quality
○ Smaller stormwater pond size
○ Can be retrofitted onto current ponds
● Success of active control outlets on large scale
○ Critical to consider efficacy of technology on a small scale

Objective
The objective of the project is to design and evaluate the impact of an active outlet
control structure for stormwater management applications for water quality and
quantity benefit using a pond in Pelzer, SC as a case study.

Approaches
• Task 1: Discuss with Woolpert the extent of the project
• Task 2: Review scientific literature on engineering design related to stormwater
management
• Task 3: Apply adaptive control structure to retention pond for water quality control
• Task 4: Determine and assess the site properties (physical, chemical, hydrologic) and
collect data (hydrology, topography)
• Task 5: Create site exhibits in GIS and input values for modeling
• Task 6. Develop a watershed study using EPA SWMM program
• Task 7: Evaluate and compare the new models to pre existing models
• Task 8: Simulate pre- and post-hydrologic conditions
• Task 9: Optimize and Design the active outlet control structure
• Task 10: Apply for permits

Design of an
Active Control
Outlet

Literature Review - Programming
• Writing code is out of the scope of this project
• Programming Logic Controller (PLC)
• Also called a data logger
• A data logger - a point of communication
between outlet and weather forecast
programming
• CR1000X data logger from Campbell
• Ideal for outdoor conditions
● Where is the data for the program coming from?
● How is the data received and integrated into the program?
● How is the forecasting information used by the data logger?
CR1000X Flagship Data Logger from Campbell

Programming - Where is the data coming from?
• NOAA, or the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
• Offers multiple public models
• High Resolution Rapid Refresh
(HRRR) model (experimental)
• Reasonable precipitation
predictions, cloud coverage
• Resolution of 3-km
• Forecasts up to 12h in 1-hour
increments; can extend up to 48h
in 6-hour increments
Picture of 12hr HRRR forecast for Oct 14, 2020

• Weather Prediction Center
(WPC) under NOAA also has
models
• WPC offers long, medium, and
short range forecasts
• The Quantitative Precipitation
Forecasts (QPF)
• Focuses on heavy rain, snow
events, and flash flooding
• Forecasts in 6-, 24-, and 48-
hour increments
Picture of 24hr QPC forecast for Oct 14, 2020

• National Centers for
Environmental Protection
• North American Mesoscale
Model (NAM)
• Precipitation, lightning,
temperature, kinetic energy;
good for large storm events
(eg hurricanes)
• Short-term weather forecasting
Picture of 6hr NAM forecast for Oct 14, 2020

• Global Forecast System (GFS)
• Covers the entire globe
• Includes wind, precipitation,
soil moisture, atmospheric
ozone concentration, etc.
• Resolution of 18 miles
• Predicts weather up to 16
days
Picture of 12hr GFS forecast for Oct 14, 2020

• Forecasting model used will depend on:
• Area of the stormwater basin
• Resolution and time frame desired
• Type of forecasting desired
• Potentially time of year.
• HRRR is sufficient for this design project
• Forecasting model used can be updated

• Where is the data for the program coming from?
• HRRR forecast from NOAA
• How is the data received and integrated into the program?
• How is the forecasting information used by the data logger?

Programming - How is the data received and
integrated into the program?
• Forecasts from NOAA can be automated
• Pulled from NOAA’s website with a code
• Provided as a radar image
• With code, received by program as a
grib file
• Grib file - file format for
storage/transport of gridded
meteorological data
• Degrib - code to decipher the grib file

Example screenshot of
program (left). These lines
of code pull the 18 hour
forecast
18 hour forecast output for
October 19, 2020 (right)
from above code

Programming - How is the data received and
integrated into the program?
• Subcodes written to:
• Update the forecast
• Specify what to do
• Program reading the forecasting data is not enough
• Forecast needs to be sent to the data logger

• How is the data received and integrated into the program?
• Both grib files and degrib code can be found on NOAA’s
website
• How is the forecasting information used by the data logger?

Programming - How is the forecasting
information used by the data logger?
• File and data transfer
• Ex. computer browser uses
HTTP
• Sends/receives data to/from
website server
• FTP or File Transfer Protocol
• One of the oldest and simplest
protocols
• User can download/upload
files to a server
• Data logger/server
• Unique IP address

• Forecasting program written by Woolpert
• Stored on a server in Dayton, OH
• Interacts with the data logger located in Pelzer, SC using FTP
• Lines of code for:
• Getting grib file
• Degribbing forecasting data
• Using FTP to send information to data logger

• Data logger will receive:
• Forecasting information from server
• Real time water level from water level
sensor
• Logic program running on data logger will then:
• Determine if outlet needs to be opened or
closed
• Send appropriate signal to outlet

• How is the data received and integrated into the
program?
• Both grib files and degrib code can be found on
NOAA’s website
• How is the forecasting information used by the data
logger?
• FTP is used to send forecast to the data logger

Instrumentation Options
Types of valves:
• Butterfly
• Pinch
• Ball
• Gate
• Globe
Types of actuators:
● Electric
● Pneumatic

Valve: Butterfly
- Butterfly valves opens, closes and regulates a fluid passage by
reciprocating about 90° with a disc type opening and closing
member
Advantages
● Simple structure, small
volume, light weight
● Small flow resistance
and opening/closing time
● Low pressure drop, high
pressure recovery
Disadvantages
● Flow adjustment range is
small, open 30% → flow
rate 95%
● Difficult to clean
● Difficulty with slurries
● Potential for cavitation
and choke

Valve: Pinch
- Pinch valves have a full-bore design. This means they can
intrinsically allow unrestricted flow and ensure complete
stoppage.
Advantages
● Very clean, excellent
drainage
● Inexpensive
● Minimal turbulence
● Low weight
● Low maintenance
Disadvantages
● Cannot be used in high
temperature
applications
● Cannot be used in high
pressure applications
● Cannot be used with
Gas media

Valve: Ball
- Ball valve consists of a large sphere with a central hole equal to
the inside diameter of the pipe in mounted
Advantages
● Maintains and regulates high
volume
● Does not require lubrication
● Superior ease of operation
● Low maintenance cost
● High pressure and high temp
flow
● Low purchase cost
Disadvantages
● Not suitable for throttling
applications
● Suspended particles can settle
and become trapped, causes:
○ Wear
○ Leakage
○ Valve failure
● Difficult to clean, leads to
contamination

Valve: Gate
- Gate valves work by inserting a rectangular gate or wedge into the path
of a flowing fluid
Advantages
● Used as shut off valve
● Inexpensive
● Available in large sizes
● Bi-directional
● Suitable for use with slurries
and viscous liquids
Disadvantages
● Low pressure limitations
● Difficult to repair
● Slow open/close time
● Seat and disk erosion can occur
● Poor throttling characteristics

Valve: Globe
- Globe valves have a spherical body shape with the two halves of the body
being separated by an internal baffle.
Advantages
● Can be fast-acting
● Precise control
● Can be used in high-pressure
systems
Disadvantages
● High head loss
● Not good for clean or sterile
application
● Low coefficient of flow -
Cantilevered mount of disk to
stem
● Heavier than other valves

Actuator: Electric
- An actuator requires a control signal and a source of
energy. The control signal is relatively low and in this
case would be electric voltage or current.
Advantages
● Fast and accurate
● Very fast development times for new
models
● Possible to apply sophisticated control
techniques to motion
● Relatively inexpensive
Disadvantages
● Gear backlash limits precision
● Problems of overheating in stalled
conditions
● Inherently high speed with a low torque
● Brakes are needed to lock them into
position

Actuator: Pneumatic
- A pneumatic actuator requires a control signal and a
source of energy. The control signal is relatively low
and in this case would be pressurized air
Advantages
● Low cost
● Ease at reversion movement
● High speed of moving
● Explosion and fire safe
Disadvantages
● Compressibility of air
● Problems of overheating in stalled
conditions
● Impossibility to receive uniform air
output
● Performance difficulty at slow/constant
speed
● Requires good preparation
● Brakes are needed to lock them into
position

Design Criteria
• TSS removal
• Driven by detention time
• 60% in 24 hour detention time
• Greenville County
Regulations
• 80% TSS removal
• 72 hour drawdown of standing
water

Critical Storm
25-year, 24-hour storm event
6.69-inches of precipitation
• Applied to assess how our
design reacts under crucial
circumstances
• Before and after
implementation of
retrofitting

Design Storm
10-year, 24-hour storm event
5.40-inches of precipitation
• Applied to determine
necessary parameters for
design
• Before and after
implementation of
retrofitting

1. Mapping Software
• ArcGIS ArcMap 10.8
2. Modeling Software
• EPA SWMM 5.1
1. Programming Logic
2. Basin Delineation & Characterization
3. Modeling
Materials Methods

Materials and Methods - Programming Logic
• Many inputs to consider in
programming
• Current water level
• Precipitation forecasts
• Local regulations
• Logic flowchart was made to
visualize
• On/off system was assumed
• Flowchart can be expanded
for partially opening valve
Programming Logic Flowchart

Logic
Flowchart
Flow chart demonstrating the logic
of active outlet system

Materials and Methods - ArcGIS ArcMap 10.8
• ArcMap is used to display geographic information as a
collection of layers and other elements in a map view
• The data frame provides a geographic window that allows
the user to display and work with geographic information
as a series of map layers
• These layers can also be used to store data relevant to the
project such as:
• Soil Data
• Digital Elevation
• Geometric Values (Area, Length)
• ArcMap also has the ability to perform geoprocessing
operations to assist in calculating necessary input values for
modeling

Basin Delineation
● Basin delineation exhibits are used for overall
visualization of all stormwater drainage being
deposited into the pond via overland flow or pipe
network (through yard inlets/junction boxes)
○ 2004 delineation based on 2004 Woolpert area values
○ Current conditions
● The layers present in this view include:
○ Landsat 8 Basemap Imagery: Provides satellite view
of the area of study
○ USGS Topo Map: Provides topographic information
for delineation of basin & subcatchments
○ Digital Elevation Model: Provides point-coverage
elevation data that is compiled into a raster file which
displays a connected elevation cover of the land (light
green=low elevation to red/white=high elevation) used
for delineation of the basin/subcatchments
○ Basin .shp file: Shows delineation of basin for area of
study
2004
2020

ArcMap Data: Basin Delineation
● The geometric calculation of area is based on the basin
boundary and stored within the basin .shp file for each
year of study
● Drainage basin delineated based on 2004 Woolpert
study area provided and replicated effectively
○ Inputs needed for replicate modeling
● Current conditions drainage basin area delineated
based on current information and site visits/pictures

Land Cover
● Land cover exhibits are used to show the land cover
classifications of the basin that will be used in the
determination of subcatchment curve numbers
○ Digital Elevation Model: Provides point coverage
○ Land Cover .shp file: Shows land cover classification
of basin area
study
2004
2020

ArcMap Data: Land Cover
● The geometric calculation of area
is separated by the land cover type
and stored within the Land Cover
.shp file for each year of study
● Land cover type was determined
using aerial imagery as well as
site visit information/pictures
● Area and land cover type are also
used in the determination of curve
number for each subcatchment in
each year

Soils
● Soils exhibits are used to show the soil types and
hydraulic classifications in the watershed that will be
used in the determination of subcatchment curve
numbers
○ Soils .shp file: Shows the soil types and hydraulic
classifications in the basin area
study
2004
2020

ArcMap Data: Soils
● Geometric calculation of area is separated
by soil type and stored within the Soils
.shp file for each year of study
● Soil types and hydraulic soil grades
obtained from NRCS Web Soil Survey
data within basin boundary
● Hydraulic soil grades are classified on an
A-D scale based on runoff potential of the
soil
○ Lowest potential - A
○ Highest potential - D

Subcatchments
● Subcatchment exhibits are used for overall
visualization of all subcatchment divisions within
the Pelzer Pond Basin
○ Subcatchments .shp file: Shows delineation of
subcatchments (divided by node method) within basin
study
2004
2020

ArcMap Data: Subcatchment
● The geometric calculation of area
is separated by each subcatchment
and stored within the
Subcatchment .shp file for each
year of study
● Subcatchment boundaries were
determined using the node
method
○ Each node (inlet) is divided into
individual drainage basins within
the Pelzer Pond Basin

Link Node
● Link Node exhibits are used to show the existing inlet
structures and the pipe linkages connecting them to each
other and the pond
○ Landsat 8 Basemap Imagery: Provides satellite view of
the area of study
○ USGS Topo Map: Provides topographic information for
delineation of basin & subcatchments
green=low elevation to red/white=high elevation) used for
delineation of the basin/subcatchments
subcatchments (divided by node method) within the basin
○ Node .shp file: Shows the location of inlet structures
(white) within the basin
○ Link .shp file: Shows the piping (green) connecting the
inlet structures to each other and the pond
study
2004
2020

ArcMap Data: Link Node
● Nodes are placed over inlet
structures located within the
Pelzer Pond Basin
○ Aerial imagery
○ Site visit observations
○ Names stored in Node .shp file
● Links are drawn following the
underground pipe linkages
connecting each node to the pond
● The link lengths are determined
using a geometric calculation
operation and stored in the Link
.shp file

Slope
● Slope exhibits are used to show the overland flow path
within each sub catchment.
○ Landsat 8 Basemap Imagery: Provides satellite view of
the area of study
○ USGS Topo Map: Provides topographic information for
delineation of basin & subcatchments
green=low elevation to red/white=high elevation) used for
delineation of the watershed/subcatchments
subcatchments (divided by node method) within the basin
○ Node .shp file: Shows the location of inlet structures
(white) within the basin
○ Slope .shp file: Shows the overland flow path (orange)
from highest, furthest elevation in the subcatchment from
the inlet structure to the inlet structure
study
2004
2020

ArcMap Data: Slope
● The overland flow path is draw within each subcatchment
from the furthest, highest elevation point to the inlet
structure (node)
● Upslope and downslope elevations are obtained by using
the information tool on the digital elevation model layer at
each endpoint of the overland flow paths
○ Elevations stored in the Slope .shp file
● Slopes are then calculated using length and elevation
values for each
subcatchment

Methods and Materials - EPA SWMM 5.1
Stormwater Management Model
• Water quantity and quality
modeling for urban watersheds
• Developed to aid local, state,
and federal stormwater
management by reducing
runoff
• Facilitate the incorporation of
our design to the industry
• Many capabilities and options
for stormwater routing
User interface for as-built Pelzer model.

EPA SWMM 5.1 Limitations
• Limited memory
• Rain event duration and time
interval
• Limits continuous modeling
• Urban-watersheds
• Developed to combat
urbanization
• Makes assumptions of
infiltration in pervious areas that
are exaggerated in rural
watersheds
• Quality of user provided data
Bargain Foods development

Model Validation
• 2004 amendments to watershed
required permitting by
Greenville County
• Approval was granted based on
a model prepared in Microsoft
Excel
• Conditions were replicated in
EPA SWMM to verify the
software’s similarity to
validated design calculations
• Finalized variables estimated
from a small range of values Hydrograph derived using Microsoft Excel in 2004

Models
2004 Permitted Existing
● 6” orifice with bleeders
● Watershed properties from
historical data
2020 As-Built Existing
● 2.5” orifice, 3 overflow weirs
knocked in the structure
● Watershed properties from current
public data and field measurements
Proposed Modifications
● Dynamic valve covering existing
2.5" orifice
● Keep all other spillways from as-
built condition
● Tweak weirs and orifices as
necessary

Modeling an Active Control Outlet
By Pond Depth and Simulation Time
1. Find freeboard threshold depth of
collection pond
2. Find pond drawdown time
3. Manipulate Control Options by
If/Then Statements
a. For pond depth
b. For holding time Control Rules determine how pumps and regulators in
the conveyance system will be adjusted over the course
of a simulation.

Instrument Implementation
Before After

Model Validation
Permitted conditions (2004) Duplicate effective permitted conditions (2004)

As-Built Riser
● Increase in peak discharge
considered unacceptable
Circumstances
Return Period of 24-Hour Storm
Event [Years]
Description Year 2 10 25 100
As-Built Existing 2020 2.70 11.28 16.70 24.79
Proposed (Valve-
Open)
2021 2.70 11.28 16.70 24.79
Failure (Obstructed) 2021 3.24 12.38 18.28 24.76
Peak Discharge Rates (cfs) of Bargain Foods Dry Pond

Implementation of V-Notch Plate
Before After

Proposed Riser
● Maintains lower proposed
condition
● 25 year-event exception
● Failure condition held to
moderate discharge rates
Circumstances
Return Period of 24-Hour Storm
Event [Years]
Description Year 2 10 25 100
As-Built Existing 2020 2.70 11.28 16.70 24.79
Proposed (Valve-
Open)
2021 2.48 9.98 17.88 24.66
Failure (Obstructed) 2021 2.89 10.91 17.57 26.03
Peak Discharge Rates (cfs) of Bargain Foods Dry Pond

Risk Assessment
Any thoughts on where this section should go?
If not, I can just stick it here, before the recommendations

Features:
• 304 Stainless Steel construction
• Clevis design and horizontal bolting stabilizes gate, proper alignment
• Multi-layer square packing provides exceptional gland sealing
• Unique body design, enables self draining
• Zero leakage isolation
• Lugged body suitable for all mounting orientations
Built for:
• Severe service performance
• Low pressure applications
Bray: Series 940 Knife Gate Valve

Rotork: IQ3 - Multi-turn
Features:
• Continuous positions tracking at all times, even without power
• Detailed trend analysis and diagnostic data available for asset management
• Increased protection by using independent torque and position sensing
• Remote operation, configuration and commission up to 100m from actuator
• Safe, motor-independent, handwheel operation available at all times
• Real time valve and actuator performance information viewable on screen
• Easy installation and maintenance using detachable thrust bases
• Explosion proof to international standards
• Oil bath lubricant provides extended life and the ability to mount in any
orientation
• On power loss, graphical interface, remote indication and data logger are
maintained and accessible
● 3rd Generation Intelligent Actuator

Programming Specifications
• Keep water level just below
depth of weirs
• Time to drain pond from
holding depth to outlet invert is
17.5-hours
• Open outlet 56.5 hours into a
24-hour storm event to drain by
72-hours

Acknowledgements
• Ben Hammond, Woolpert
• Dr. Christophe Darnault, Clemson University
• Dr. Rui Xiao, Clemson University

Final presentation

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