| Barriers and booms


Right: Dewatering Tubes providing passive gravity- assisted dewatering at a treatment plant outside of Lincoln in California. The tube on the right had been drying for a couple weeks and the one on the left was just put into operation a few days prior to the photo. The dried solids were then utilised for fertiliser


GEI’s submersible curtain works in unique situations for powerplant customers. Intakes located at the bottom of a water body pull significant water flow in a vacuum-like manner, along the bottom under the water. Silt and turbidity moving on the bottom of the water column can travel into the intakes, despite surface barriers. To protect the intakes from suctioning fines from construction disturbances directly into their systems, submersible barriers are a good solution. Pictured below left are the supplied submersible barriers for construction activity at the Pickwick Dam in Tennessee, where intakes were pulling turbidity from dredge activity from the bottom. Despite being compliant with barriers around the perimeter of the water-based construction, additional protection was required. GEI’s submersible barriers are unique from their floating


counterparts in that they are meant to be secured to the bottom and protect upwards into the water column, and not at the surface. On the Pickwick Dam project, submersible curtain, weighted with three times the ballast and moored by underwater divers, was installed in a square around each large intake, far enough back to ensure the barrier wasn’t affected when water was drawn, but close enough to provide a barrier at the bottom. A surface curtain was then anchored at the top to direct flow and provide additional protection in the upper water column. An absorbent boom for hydrocarbon and sheen was also attached to the surface barrier around the intakes. This successful project has been duplicated several times with other installations across the country. Often, dredge or construction activity at these sites


also require NPDES permitted dewatering needs. With GEI Works dewatering tubes or bags, compliant dewatering activities can take place on-site. We also provide pond liners for treatment ponds, or baffling systems for treatment trains. Waste Water Treatment Baffles are used in municipal waste water treatment plants to control and improve water quality. Baffle Barriers are constructed with flow-past, under or flow-through capabilities, specifically to help channel water for knockdown or treatment. All materials of GEI’s baffle systems are marine grade quality and designed for long period exposure to the environmental site conditions specific to each installation, such as: ● Basin dimensions ● Side slope ratio ● Maximum flow ● Water temperature ● Water pH ● Type and number of aerators available


Fouling GEI Works’ PermaBoom, Underwater Debris Screens or


Standard Containment Boom can all help protect intakes from fouling due to algal and invasive plant blooms, or floating debris and plastics, depending on the application. PermaBoom is a robust floating boom made from


impact-resistant hard-shell floats and heavy-duty belting material, and is known for its long-term use in calm, protected conditions. This boom is produced utilising mechanically fastened materials that are long- lasting and easily maintained. Other barrier products provide protection while still allowing some waterflow. Marine fouling due to invasive plants, algal blooms or floating trash can cause damage and down-time at a water treatment facility. Debris booms have many applications in traditional hydroelectric generation, including protecting surface-mounted hydrokinetic devices and intake screens. Additionally, products like removable trash baskets, nets, and vacuums can all be used to clean up materials contained by a boom or barrier. They can be easily recovered by the storm water or public works departments to keep intake screens free from debris. ●


Middle: Custom Baffles were used at a West Virginia treatment facility to create sediment knockdown channels


Above: PermaBoom with a trash collection box at a water treatment facility


www.waterpowermagazine.com | July 2022 | 29


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