SALES AND CUSTOMER SERVICE

Call IPEX USA LLC.

Toll free: (800) 463-9572 INSERTS FOR
SEWER ODOR
i pexna.com

About IPEX
AND CORROSION
As leading suppliers of thermoplastic piping systems, the IPEX Group
of Companies provides our customers with some of the world’s
largest and most comprehensive product lines. All IPEX products are
CONTROL
backed by more than 50 years of experience. With state-of-the-
art manufacturing facilities and distribution centers across North
America, we have established a reputation for product innovation,
quality, end-user focus and performance.

Markets served by IPEX group products are:

• Electrical systems

• Telecommunications and utility piping systems

• PVC, CPVC, PP, PVCO, ABS, PEX, FR-PVDF, NFRPP, FRPP, HDPE,
PVDF and PE pipe and fittings (1/2” – 48”)
• Industrial process piping systems

• Municipal pressure and gravity piping systems

• Plumbing and mechanical piping systems

• PE Electrofusion systems for gas and water

• Industrial, plumbing and electrical cements

• Irrigation systems

Vortex FlowTM is manufactured by IPEX Inc. and distributed in the

United States by IPEX USA LLC.
Vortex FlowTM is a trademark of IPEX Branding Inc.

M U N I C I P A L S Y S T E M S
This literature is published in good faith and is believed to be reliable.
However, it does not represent and/or warrant in any manner the
information and suggestions contained in this brochure. Data presented
is the result of laboratory tests and field experience.

A policy of ongoing product improvement is maintained. This may result

in modifications of features and/or specifications without notice.
• Sewer Drop Structures
• Pumping Stations
• Forcemain Discharge

We build tough products for tough environments ®

BRMNVFIP180806RU © 2020IPEX MN0021U
VORTEX FLOW™
HOW IT WORKS
A SIMPLE SOLUTION FOR ODOR
AND CORROSION CONTROL Drop Structure
VORTEX TOP FORM
1
H
ydrogen sulfide (H2S)­gas and other odorous gases are The wastewater flows into the Vortex
a fact of life with sanitary sewer drop structures. When Top Form which directs the flow around a
Flow is channel of decreasing radius. At the same
these gases become airborne, they not only generate
accelerated Vortex Top Form time, the Vortex channel slopes downward
complaints from the neighborhood, but also impact air quality to accelerate the wastewater to a
to supercritical
and cause corrosion within the sewer system. Municipalities supercritical velocity.
velocity
spend millions on various forms of odor and corrosion control, yet
many of these methods are only partially successful and require
a considerable amount of maintenance and chemicals.
­­­V ORTEX DROP SHAFT
A new solution for municipalities is the IPEX Vortex Flow Insert Vortex Channel 2 Once the flow is channeled into the smaller
(VFI), a revolutionary technology for eliminating odorous emissions Drop Shaft, the velocity and centrifugal
and minimizing corrosion in vertical sewer drops. With no moving forces generated within the VFI cause the
parts and requiring no maintenance, VFIs have delivered flow to hug the inside walls of the Vortex
Influent Line Drop Shaft. This spiraling flow creates a
significant cost savings in installations across North America.
negative air core, which draws airborne
The VFI’s patented spiral flow design eliminates odorous and gases down the Drop Shaft to the Energy
Dissipation Pool. Frictional forces created
corrosive gases in a unique way. It uses the wastewater’s own
within the Vortex Drop Shaft assist in
flow energy to suppress the turbulence which releases noxious dissipating the fluid energy.
gases. The spiral flow creates a downdraft which traps airborne Vortex Drop Shaft
gases and forces air into the sewage flow to oxidize odorous ENERGY DISSIPATION POOL
gases. By installing a Vortex drop structure, municipalities can
save thousands of dollars in monthly chemical feed, air-phase
3 The flow exit is submerged in the Energy
Dissipation Pool at the bottom of the Vortex.
treatment and maintenance costs. Air and gases drawn down the air core are
forced back through the wastewater and are
In addition, land developers can save hundreds of thousands
re-entrained into the flow. This significantly
of dollars in excavation costs in areas where conventional drop increases the dissolved oxygen concentration
structures are not allowed. in the wastewater, and the re-entrained
odorous compounds are then quickly
oxidized.

Flow Exit

BUILT-TO-SPEC FOR ANY SIZE Energy WINNER OF THE APWA TECHNICAL

Dissipation Pool
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Manholes, chambers and pumping stations are built in a variety of sizes.
For that reason, IPEX custom designs and custom builds every Vortex Flow Insert. The American Public Works Association presents
Technical Innovation Awards to designers of
The Vortex drop height can be as little as 5 feet or more than 100 feet tall.
devices, processes or systems that benefit public
Shop drawings are prepared and submitted to the customer, and each phase of
works by serving the public and protecting the
the project is tightly-controlled to ensure the project’s success. Effluent Line
environment. Dr. Eugene Natarius, creator of the
IPEX VFIs are sized based on the peak flow that the unit is required to handle Vortex Drop Structure, received an award for his
frames as little as 0.3MGD to 120MGD. The insert can be installed in a standard revolutionary design. Since then, units have been
installed in cities across North America including
manhole without restricting access for maintenance.
municipalities in Ontario, California and Ohio.
REDUCED EXCAVATION COSTS AND LONG TERM SAVINGS

W
hile Vortex Flow Inserts leave manholes and pumping stations smelling better,
they can also make a land developer’s job easier and less costly.
Due to the odor and corrosion problems of conventional drop structures,
many municipalities have banned them altogether. Until now, the only alternative available
“ Finally, we have a long-term solution to our sanitary

cost that requires no ongoing maintenance.I would

definitely recommend this product.
“
system odor and corrosion problems. It is a one-time

APPLICATIONS
to land developers was to install sewers with a gradual
grade to trunk sewers deep underground, a practice which Frank A. Badinski, C.E.T.,
can cause the cost of excavation to skyrocket. Asset Management Coordinator, Manholes, Chambers and Forcemains –
Regional Municipality of York; Wherever you have a drop from one pipe
NAAPI Chair;
But by installing Vortex Drop Structures (drop structures NASTT Great Lakes St. Lawrence and Atlantic Canada Vice-Chair.
to another, Vortex
with Vortex Flow Inserts), land developers can now comply drop structures
with municipality concerns and save thousands, if not can transform drop
manholes from
millions, in excavation costs. No wonder developers across
potential maintenance
North America are taking advantage of this revolutionary problems into effective
technology. aeration devices that
control odor and
corrosion.

Pumping Station
HOW VORTEX FLOW CAN SAVE Wet Wells –
MUNICIPALITIES MONEY A Vortex drop
structure can minimize
gas emissions from
REDUCED CORROSION EXTENDS SEWER LIFE pumping station wet
wells.
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions from forcemain discharges can literally
eat through a concrete drop manhole. By oxidizing dissolved H2S, a
Vortex Flow Insert in a municipal sewer drop can significantly reduce
concrete and metal corrosion, extending sewer life and saving the Steep Grade Sewers –
municipality money. Vortex Flow can
dissipate the flow
energy of water
REDUCES ODOR TREATMENT COSTS running down a steep
grade, reducing the
By increasing dissolved oxygen levels in wastewater and oxidizing
flow’s discharge
sulfides and other odorous compounds, the use of a Vortex Flow Insert speed.
in a drop structure reduces the need for costly chemical injection,
high-maintenance biofilters and air scrubbers.
Barometric Loop –
A barometric loop
IMPROVES WASTE WATER QUALITY is an area where a
forcemain is brought
Because a Vortex drop structure reduces the odorous and corrosive
up out of the ground
elements in the flow, a Vortex Flow Insert, installed upstream of a to improve the
treatment plant, can actually improve wastewater quality prior to hydraulic profile of the
treatment, reducing treatment costs at sewage plants. system. Sometimes
referred to as a
“gooseneck” due to its appearance as it rises up out
REDUCED MAINTENANCE COSTS of the ground, barometric loops can be used to slow
the flow down and improve flow characteristics at a
The use of a Vortex drop structure eliminates the corrosion of force main discharge.
concrete and metal sewer components, dramatically reducing
municipal maintenance costs of manholes and sewers.
PRODUCTION AND INSTALLATIONS

PRODUCTION UNIQUE INSTALLATIONS

Fabrication of a 60 MGD Hydrostatic testing of Shipping from fabrication plant,

Vortex unit Austin, Texas. a large Vortex unit. direct to site.

INSTALLATION

Offloading a Vortex Top Form. A uniquely flanged Vortex, Vortex with a flanged entrance,
Vancouver, British Columbia. Manassas, Virginia. Barometric loop for reduction of velocity and energy dissipation
at the WWTP – Newburgh, IN

Second effluent line at bottom, benching from Strapping detail on Vortex unit, Securing Vortex Flow unit,
the EDP to direct flow, Sarnia, Ontario. Buckeye, Arizona. Burlington, Kentucky.

Structure with multiple Vortex Vortex installed in 5 million

units at different influent gallon CSO storage tank
Dual influent lines with twin clockwise elevations and flow rates – adjacent to WWTP –
Stainless steel straps and epoxy painted walls Vortex Flow operating in a pumping station Vortex Flow Insert reducing H2S
and counter-clockwise flow Vortex units – Davidson, NC Austin, TX Port Angeles, WA
for additional layer of corrosion protection, wet well, Jacksonville, Florida. concentration levels,
Charlotte, NC. Camden County, New Jersey.
VORTEX FLOW – CASE STUDY VORTEX FLOW INSERT

COST SAVINGS OVER CHEMICALS – ST. ROBERT TYPICAL PROJECT FLOW FOR A VORTEX FLOW INSERT

The City of St. Robert, Missouri made the decision

to install a new state-of-the-art sewer system. The S T E P 1: D E S I G N I N F O R M A T I O N F O R M
goal was to use fewer lift stations and more gravity-
Customer provides a completed Design Information
based linear feet in order to move 50% of the city’s
Form to IPEX which assists IPEX engineers in developing a
sewage. “The new system has 13,000 linear feet
conceptual design.
of 16” sewer main and 25% of it is gravity-based,”

“ The upside of this is the greater portion

of your line you have gravity-based,
“ S T E P 2: C O N C E P T U A L D E S I G N
IPEX designs the unit based on the Design Information
Form. IPEX provides conceptual drawings for the project
the less maintenance you’ll have. and CFD analysis (where necessary). IPEX provides an
engineering estimate.
Jeff Medows, Project Engineer

S T E P 3: D I M E N S I O N S I G N - O F F S
stated Jeff Medows of C.M. Archer Group. “We Once the project has been bid and IPEX has received the
have reduced the city’s lift stations to just two and purchase order, IPEX will send Dimension Sign-Offs to the
that’s better for the people of St. Robert. The upside Project Engineer and Contractor to verify that all the data
of this is the greater portion of your line you have is correct.
gravity-based, the less maintenance you’ll have,”
Medows said.
S T E P 4: D E T A I L E D D E S I G N
However, the challenge of a gravity-based system
PROFILE Upon receiving the completed Dimension Sign-Offs, IPEX
is how to oxygenate the sewage and control odor
design engineers will begin the Detailed Design process.
PROJECT and corrosion. The cost of adding chemicals –
No. 6 Lift Station $140,000 in the first year and $35,000 annually,
City of St. Robert, Missouri would negate any cost savings achieved by STEP 5: FABRICATION
eliminating the pumps. Public Works Foreman Steve Once the Detailed Design has been completed, the
CONTACT Long had recalled seeing an alternative device, the fabrication of the Vortex unit will commence.
Steve Long Vortex Flow Insert.
Public Works Foreman, City of St. Robert
“I saw this system in a magazine that I picked up
STEP 6: SHIPMENT & INSTALLATION
ENGINEER at a conference,” Long said. “It’s gravity-driven.” A
Jeff Medows, P.E. Vortex Flow Insert uses the wastewater’s own flow Once the fabrication process has been completed, the
C.M. Archer Group, P.C. energy to suppress the turbulence which releases Vortex will be shipped to the jobsite along with a full set of
the noxious gases. By installing one Vortex Flow detailed installation instructions.
CONTRACTOR unit, the municipality was able to save the money it
Installed by municipality would have spent on adding chemicals to manage
the H2S emissions. RECOGNIZED AS A NEW AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCT BY THE U.S. EPA
INSTALLATION
One Vortex Flow Insert The system features a 32” top form with a 6’ drop
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) is charged by Congress with
Type: Force Main and is designed for a peak flow of 3.17 MGD. “It’s a
Flow Range: 0.48 – 3.65 MGD
protecting the nation’s land, air, and water resources. In the July 2006 publication,
new green technology,” Medows said. “It’s the first
Peak Flow: 3.17 MGD Emerging Technology for Conveyance Systems – New Installations and Rehabilitation
one in the state of Missouri.
VFI Design: 32” Top Form, 6’ Drop Methods (EPA Report: 832-R-06-004) the Vortex Flow Insert was recognized as a new
None other like it.” and innovative product.
DESIGN INFORMATION FORM CONCEPTUAL DRAWING

Complete this form and fax it back to us at (905) 403-1124.

Name Title Dept.

Company Address

City State Zip Code

Phone Fax E-mail

Project Name Project Location (City, State ) Owner Name

Engineer Bid Date Construction Launch Date

Drop Structure Information

See depiction of a typical drop structure layout and to answer questions 2 – 6.

1. New or Existing Drop Structure £ NEW £ EXISTING £ WET WELL

2. Manhole Diameter _________________ ft | m

3. Ground Elevation _________________ ft | m

4. Manhole Floor Elevation _________________ ft | m

5. Influent Line Elevation _________________ ft | m

6. Effluent Line Elevation _________________ ft | m

7. Comments on any unique details _____________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________

Flow Information
(Please provide us with the flow rate the Vortex will initially experience and
also the estimated build out flow rate.)

1. Flow Type £ GRAVITY £ FORCEMAIN

2. Today’s Peak flow – Dry Weather _________________ MGD | m3/h

3. Today’s Average flow – Dry Weather _________________ MGD | m3/h

4. Today’s Peak flow – Wet Weather _________________ MGD | m3/h

5. Build Out Peak flow – Dry Weather _________________ MGD | m3/h

6. Build Out Avg. flow – Dry Weather _________________ MGD | m3/h

7. Build Out Peak flow – Wet Weather _________________ MGD | m3/h

8. Expected Sewage Velocity _________________ FPS | m/s

9. Pump rate capacity of all pumps (if applicable) ____________ MGD | m3/h

10. Expected Build Out Time Frame _________________ YEARS

Influent Line Information

1. Influent line material _________________

2. Influent line nominal diameter _________________ in | mm

3. Influent line outer diameter _________________ in | mm

4. Influent line inner diameter _________________ in | mm

5. Slope of influent line _________________ %

 SALES AND CUSTOMER SERVICE
Call IPEX USA LLC.
Toll free: (800) 463-9572 INSERTS FOR
SEWER ODOR
i pexna.com

About IPEX
AND CORROSION
As leading suppliers of thermoplastic piping systems, the IPEX Group
of Companies provides our customers with some of the world’s
largest and most comprehensive product lines. All IPEX products are
CONTROL
backed by more than 50 years of experience. With state-of-the-
art manufacturing facilities and distribution centers across North
America, we have established a reputation for product innovation,
quality, end-user focus and performance.

Markets served by IPEX group products are:

• Electrical systems

• Telecommunications and utility piping systems

• PVC, CPVC, PP, PVCO, ABS, PEX, FR-PVDF, NFRPP, FRPP, HDPE,
PVDF and PE pipe and fittings (1/2” – 48”)
• Industrial process piping systems

• Municipal pressure and gravity piping systems

• Plumbing and mechanical piping systems

• PE Electrofusion systems for gas and water

• Industrial, plumbing and electrical cements

• Irrigation systems

Vortex FlowTM is manufactured by IPEX Inc. and distributed in the

United States by IPEX USA LLC.
Vortex FlowTM is a trademark of IPEX Branding Inc.

M U N I C I P A L S Y S T E M S
This literature is published in good faith and is believed to be reliable.
However, it does not represent and/or warrant in any manner the
information and suggestions contained in this brochure. Data presented
is the result of laboratory tests and field experience.

A policy of ongoing product improvement is maintained. This may result

in modifications of features and/or specifications without notice.
• Sewer Drop Structures
• Pumping Stations
• Forcemain Discharge

We build tough products for tough environments ®

BRMNVFIP180806RU © 2020 IPEX MN0021U