Automatic Vacuum Flushing Technology for Combined Sewer Solids

An extensive literature review on existing sewer sediment flushing technologies was conducted. The innovative vacuum flush system recently developed by the U.S. EPA was tested under laboratory conditions. The tests revealed a strong correlation between the strength of the flushing wave and the speed of the vacuum break. The original design did not succeed in providing a fast enough vacuum break despite being tested in different configurations. To improve the vacuum brake time, Rutgers developed two alternative mechanisms. These alternative designs showed promising results in the laboratory but remain to be tested under field conditions.