The effects of climate change, more severe weather events, drought and increased flood risk, are being felt across not just the UK, but globally and its impacts will continue to worsen. Hydro International, a global leader in advanced products, services and expertise in water management processes has led the way for vortex flow control to help mitigate surface water and fluvial flooding for over 40 years with its Hydro-Brake® technology.
When it comes to getting the best possible hydraulic performance, look no further than the iconic Hydro-Brake® Optimum. The industry leading Hydro-Brake® Optimum is the cornerstone of customisable water quantity management, for storm, surface, foul or combined water across a wide range of flows and for a variety of applications, including economical low flow and complex flow control options.
Since its first installation, now over a decade ago, more than 15,000 Hydro-Brake® Optimum units have been installed across the world, accurately controlling flows in thousands of drainage systems, including Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), foul and combined sewerage systems and sewage treatment works.
Delivering precision control for flows from less than 0.7 l/s to 550 l/s, the Hydro-Brake® Optimum helps engineers across the UK and around the world meet site-specific flow, head, and storage requirements. Engineers can select a performance objective for their design, such as maximising storage or reducing blockage risk.
One particularly useful option for engineers is the ability to future-proof their Hydro-Brake® Optimum design with an adjustable inlet to allow the discharge rate to be altered post-installation. With climate change triggering more frequent, severe storm events this ability to adjust flows can help reduce flood risk throughout the life of the drainage system. It can also be useful where additional development can impact on an existing system.
For peace of mind, the Hydro-Brake® Optimum has been independently evaluated, tested and certified by both the British Board of Agrement and WRc.
Hydro International’s Hydro-Brake® Optimum is one of a range of Hydro-Brake® Flow Controls, developed to enable engineers to find a solution for nearly every site and budget.
The range includes the Hydro-Brake® Flood vortex flow control. With a track record in flood alleviation schemes across the country, the Hydro-Brake® Flood demonstrates Hydro International’s expertise and understanding of hydraulics and design. Capable of managing flows of up to 11,500 l/s, this vortex flow control provides consistent, reliable large-scale flood protection at the watercourse level, preventing costly damage and disruption to people, businesses and essential infrastructure and services.
Also included in the range is the float-operated Hydro-Brake® Agile, a precision-engineered, flow control delivering a constant discharge for surface, combined, foul and watercourse control, to cut onsite storage requirements to a minimum. The Hydro-Brake® Orifice, a simple flow control for sites with less stringent discharge consents, completes the Hydro-Brake® range. This low-cost, low-complexity flow control enables engineers to deliver development-scale sustainable drainage at sites, providing contractors with an economical, low-footprint solution.
Hydro International’s ongoing commitment to the research and development of vortex flow controls continues to improve the product’s design, performance, and ease of installation and maintenance. The Hydro-Brake® Optimum is a culmination of years of experience and expertise - and is still the most popular and best-performing vortex flow control on the market to date.
Find out more about the Hydro-Brake® Optimum by visiting hydro-int.com/hydrobrakeoptimum or our range of Hydro-Brake® Flow Controls at hydro-int.com/hydrobrake-uk.
For further information, Hydro International runs bespoke Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training sessions delivered by its technical experts. Engineers and related professionals can sign up requesting a tailored virtual or in-person session, covering topics such as stormwater treatment, stormwater management or the Hydro-Brake® Flow Control Series: hydro-int.com/uk-cpd.
