How do DrainEezy Bund Filters work?
DrainEezy Bund Filters contain smart polymers which extract hydrocarbons from the flow of water. The polymers transform the liquid hydrocarbons into a rubber-like solid, trapping the pollutants inside the filter. When the filter reaches its capacity, the solidified pollutants block the cartridge. This prevents the escape of contaminants when the filter needs replacing. In the event of a catastrophic breach and the filter becoming inundated with hydrocarbons, it will seal before any oil can leak out.
Smart polymers offer two distinct benefits over activated carbon. Firstly, smart polymers can be blended to target specific hydrocarbons. Indeed, our mineral oil filter contains a different blend of smart polymers to our ester oil filter. Secondly, activated carbon will leak when saturated with hydrocarbons whereas smart polymers will not.
How cost-effective are DrainEezy Bund Filters?
For low-risk scenarios where leakage or a catastrophic breach is highly unlikely, more elaborate systems like oil water separators are expensive and unnecessary. DrainEezy filters are low-cost to purchase, install and maintain.
These filters require only a port on the side of the bund. Installation and replacement takes no more than a couple of minutes and requires no specialist knowledge. With no power requirements and no moving parts, minimal maintenance is required making the filters ideal for remote and infrequently-visited locations.
Where can I use a DrainEezy Bund Filter?
Environmental regulations require containers or equipment filled with oil-based liquids to be situated on or in a secondary containment bund. Electrical transformers may be situated inside a concrete bund or may have an integral bund. Containers of oils and fuels may be stored on bunded pallets or flooring.
If situated outdoors, these bunds can fill with rainwater which will mix with any leaked or spilt hydrocarbons. This creates a pool of contaminated water which, if allowed to overflow, would pollute the environment (and render the bund pointless).
DrainEezy Bund Filters provide the solution, neutralising the hydrocarbon contaminants as the bund water drains freely into the environment. They are commonly used as transformer bund filters, particularly on new transformers where the leakage risk is minimal.
Another popular application is for bunds used for the temporary storage of oils, fuels and other hydrocarbon-based liquids. Note that with bulk storage of hazardous liquids, The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 do not permit a drainage device to be ported to a bund wall. There are exceptions to this so we recommend that you read the regulations to see if they apply to you or contact the Environment Agency for advice. Read our blog piece on this subject.
Which pollutants will DrainEezy Bund Filters capture?
Our standard bund filter is for use with a range of hydrocarbons including mineral transformer oil, engine oil, petrol and diesel. We also have a separate filter for use with ester oils, specifically Midel 7131 synthetic ester oil and FR3 natural ester fluid.
