Albarrie Geocomposites Ltd. once again had the privilege to install our SorbWebTM Plus secondary oil containment system for Vaughn Industries. This was the second opportunity for us to install an oil containment system for Vaughn, the previous one being the LMREC Camden Substation in Camden, Ohio last year. This site(Gerber Lee) was an older substation that was being upgraded with an new transformer containing 2,070 gals of mineral oil and was located inside the town limits of Monroeville making it a sensitive area for the environment. This site was also special as it required drainage due to the soils being impermeable.
Upon arrival the excavation had not begun which gave myself the opportunity to help construct a containment complete from start to finish.
Since the containment depth was 24” the excavation went quickly and was completed in a matter of hours.
The drainage lines were laid out in central locations of the containment and was attached with various types of connectors. Here we see a Y.
The drainage is placed in the base 2” layer of sand. Here we see a cross with the unused openings taped over.
The lines are connected together and brought to an area where it exits the containment site. A minimum slope of 0.5% must be maintained for the system to properly drain.
In this case the lines joined together and entered an existing storm line. The drainage system is then buried with sand.
All grounding wires were secured to the pads with anchors which will prevent any movement and disturb or damage the impermeable liner later to be installed around the wire.
The non woven fabric is placed on the banks and followed by the impermeable liner.
The impermeable liner is also strapped to the transformer pad.
Here we had a situation where the transformer pad was only 18” from another pad. When this happens we grade the ground so that there will be positive drainage running out the ends of the pads.
We strap both sides as low as possible with the impermeable liner.
Impermeable liner is folded over, silicone and taped and then a final bead of silicone is run down the joint with the concrete.
The Oilmat can now be glued to the first layer of impermeable liner.
The second layer of impermeable liner is then folded down and glued to the top side of the Oilmat.
All joints are covered with the loose copolymer (white powder).
The adsorbent layer is laid out.
The woven geotextile is placed over top of the adsorbent layer. No glue or tape is required.
A 2” layer of sand is placed (no picture) followed by another woven geotextile layer.
The containment is filled with the fire quenching stone.
As the stone gets filled around the transformer pad we check to see that there is no separation of the strapping from the wall. Only then do we run the final silicone bead along the liner and concrete wall addressing the grounding wires at the same time.
We also seal any wires/conduit that protrude the transformer pad.
The containment is continued to be filled with fire quenching stone maintaining a minimum of 2” cover over all material that has been installed and then graded level.
Here is a completed SorbWebTM Plus System that can’t even be seen but we know it’s there to protect the site for years to come with no maintenance at all.
