Environmental Science & Engineering - www.esemag.com - May 2003
Comments? send them to the editor.
Inexpensive lining system extends life of leaking tank
In 2001, during a routine tank
inspection, the staff at Aylmer,
Ontario, wastewater treatment
plant noticed some fine cracks in
the exterior of the fibreglass-reinforced
plastic tank (FRP) used to contain
liquid alum. A meeting was held
with members of council from the
Township of Malahide, Wayne
Simpson, project coordinator with the
Ontario Clean Water Agency and
Kentain Products Ltd. to solve the
leaking FRP tank problems. This is a
vital part of the Aylmer wastewater
treatment plant's operation. An inspection
of the tank was completed prior to
the meeting and the conclusion was
that the tank was still structurally
sound.
Replacing the tank was considered
but, in addition to the cost of a new
tank, the Township would have had to
allow for opening a section of the
building which housed the tank to
remove the existing tank and move the
new one in. Another option considered
was removing the existing tank and
constructing a new tank inside the
building. But this also proved to be
quite costly.
On the recommendation of Wayne
Simpson, a decision was made to have
Kentain Products supply a closed top,
heavy gauge flexible PVC liner. The
company provided specialized technicians
to take exact inside dimensions
of the tank and the liner was designed
and pre-fabricated in one piece at their
facility in Kitchener, Ontario.
Working in conjunction with the
Ontario Clean Water Agency, Kentain
provided an installation supervisor and
two helpers to assist with the installation.
With no need to sand blast and
minimal down time, the installation
was completed in just two days. The
entire inside surface of the tank, fittings
and manway were lined so that
the FRP tank would no longer come in
contact with liquid or fumes. The PVC
lining was not adhered to the tank surface
and was not affected by the
expansion and contraction or small
cracks left in the walls. Because of the
closed top, one piece construction and
excellent chemical resistance, the liner
is virtually maintenance free.
The liner has now become the main
containment while the tank is providing
extra security, by becoming the
secondary containment. A leak detection
system assures early awareness
should a problem ever occur.
See our home page on how to order your subscription. We regret we can
only accept orders from Canada and the United States.