PRODUCTION • PROCESSING • HANDLING
containment systems
Coatings for
Exploring a monolithic-coating based approach to primary and secondary containment in the field
The VersaFlex solution is spray-applied W
hen used for primary or secondary containment, traditional coatings have been too inflexible and not sufficiently elastic to
accommodate ground, concrete or metal substrate movement. Tis deficiency can lead to cracks or holes developing in both the substrate and the coatings, which can compromise containment. However, the formulation of tough, monolithic, flexible coatings such as polyurea is now resolving this issue. When applied directly to concrete or metal surfaces, polyurea not only reinforces and protects the underlying substrate but can also bridge gaps or cracks of 3.5mm or larger. Furthermore, polyurea is now being
pre-applied to geotextile liners that can be quickly rolled out in sheets to protect more heavily damaged surfaces or for use in applications such as dirt or gravel pads at drilling sites. Once installed, applicators need only coat the seams of the liners to create a monolithic surface that is ideal for containment.
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CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS At drilling sites in the North American market, federal and state regulations mandate the use of primary and secondary containment systems to keep toxic or hazardous substances from escaping into the ground and potentially entering the water supply. Implied in this requirement is the understanding that primary containment (typically via a concrete or metal storage vessel that holds chemicals or liquids) is not foolproof. Tough durable, metals corrode, concrete cracks and is porous as well, so will leach liquids
Chemical tanks are not a foolproof form of containment
if uncoated. Tis requires secondary containment, which often takes the form of concrete pits with barriers installed around the perimeter of a tank or other storage container. To protect these structures, coatings such as epoxies, tars and polyurethanes are often applied as an added barrier of protection. However, these traditional coatings are frequently inflexible when cured and can crack along with the concrete. “Typical coatings do not hold up well to substrate movement or daily, seasonal or process-related thermal expansion and contraction, which can lead to cracks and leaks,” says Jim Collins, co-owner of South Penn Resources, a company that creates containment systems. After considerable research and testing, Collins says he turned to an advanced polyurea system from VersaFlex, a leading manufacturer of spray-applied polyurea for primary and secondary containment.
When applied to substrates such as concrete or steel, the spray-applied
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