Floating diving wall
A floating baffle is used in hydraulic engineering and serves as a lightweight material separator . It holds back all substances that float on the water surface and adapts to different water levels. It is used wherever a construction method that is firmly anchored to the embankment is possible. In German road construction, the installation of a lightweight material separator in rain retention basins is regulated by building legislation.
functionality
Two embankment walls, which usually consist of sturdy wooden planks or concrete walls, are connected by floating plastic elements. These adapt flexibly to the respective water level using running rails. When the water level rises, the passage under the barrier increases. Water can flow off at a steadily slow rate. Oil or floating debris is retained on the surface by floating bodies . The embankment walls of the floating diving wall are usually installed offset to the direction of flow of the water. This determines where the floating debris collects. It can usually be skimmed off more easily at a collection point. A floating diving wall takes on its task maintenance-free for around 20 years.
history
After the reconstruction of Germany and the developing industrial economy, awareness of environmental protection also increased. Industrial and tanker ports were equipped with an oil weir in case of emergency . She was able to place floating oil barriers around a danger spot by boat . A time-consuming and labor-intensive process. Around 1960 the requirement in German road construction was stipulated to install lightweight material separators in rainwater retention basins. In many cases, existing ponds and water hollows were used as buffer storage. They had to be provided with light material separators. The floating oil barriers that have already been used were combined with solid bank walls. This procedure turned out to be easier to equip the basins, which were already filled with water, with light material separators.