Hydro International takes optimisation further with a new design objective for Hydro-Brake® Optimum

Following the incorporation of a future-proof feature earlier this year, Hydro International, an industry leader in vortex flow control technology, has added an additional design objective for the Hydro-Brake® Optimum, providing engineers with even greater flexibility when developing Sustainable Drainage Systems.

Due to specific design conditions, such as pre-existing pipework, pipe availability and cost, size constraints due to chamber size or other utilities below ground, engineers may need to specify a specific pipe size. This new design objective, (XP) Fit to Outlet Pipe, will enable engineers to match the outlet size of a Hydro-Brake® Optimum to the required pipe diameter, whilst maximising the hydraulic efficiency that can be achieved for that pipe size.

In any drainage system, the flow control is a vital component of the design. Its performance ensures that the amount of surface water flow from a development complies with regulations, and it also dictates the amount of storage that is needed to store any excess flow volume, which in turn can significantly affect installation and overall project costs.

The XP design objective joins the range of choices already available to design engineers, and which assist them in optimising their drainage designs; finding the balance between complying with flow limits and storage volumes, and/or providing a physical unit that meets site requirements or has lower maintenance commitments.

The existing range comprises:

• Minimise upstream storage (HE) passes forwards as much flow as possible early in a storm event, enabling engineers to reduce the amount of upstream storage volume required. Now with an adjustable inlet as standard.
• Minimise Blockage Risk (CL) – makes the inlet and outlet openings as large as possible while still delivering the same design flow.
• Linear Discharge Profile (CU) – generates a discharge as close to linear as possible, providing similar hydraulic performance to an orifice plate, but with internal clearances approximately two to four times larger. This objective also compacts the unit size as small as possible to help fit through small openings in retrofit applications.

Graph showing how the different design objectives of HE, CU and the new XP return Hydro-Brake® Optimum units that fit to different pipe diameters whilst still meeting the same design flow and head.

Ben Puddy, Product Manager at Hydro International commented; “This design objective may seem like a small development, but in terms of real-world applications, it is perfect for retrofits or any site with pipe size constraints. The ability to match the Hydro-Brake® Optimum outlet to a specific pipe diameter, will help both design engineers and installers to maintain as much hydraulic efficiency as possible and minimise the upstream storage volume for any specified outlet pipe size.”

With over 40 years of rigorous research and development in vortex flow control technology, Hydro International continues to lead the market in providing engineers with practical and reliable solutions for controlling flows.

To find out more about the Hydro-Brake® Optimum, visit: hydro-int.com/optimum-fp or try some designs on the Online Design Tool: hydro-int.design.