Waterstop Applications

 

Secondary Containment

The purpose of secondary containment is to protect the environment from accidental leaks and spills from bulk storage tanks, which if left unchecked, could contaminate surface water or ground water, and effect health and human safety. The federal government recognizes the importance of secondary containment and mandates by law the use of a secondary containment system consisting of one of the following: 1. A liner (external to the tank); 2. A concrete containment vault (with chemical-resistant waterstop in all joints); 3. Double wall tank systems; or 4. An equivalent device as approved by the EPA Regional Administrator. All of the aforementioned systems must be designed so that they can contain

100 percent of the capacity of the largest tank within its boundary. (See EPA Title 40 CFR 265.193 [new construction] and Title 40 CFR 264.193 [retrofit] for more information.)

Due to aesthetics and functionality, most owner-operators choose to utilize concrete containment vaults as their preferred secondary containment system. Concrete allows for vehicular and worker traffic, has a long lifespan, and is economical. However, a concrete secondary containment structure can rarely be designed monolithically, and for that reason, Earth Shield Chemical Resistant Waterstop is installed in all concrete joints. Earth Shield Chemical Resistant Waterstop is available in a multitude of shapes and sizes for both new construction and retrofit. Please see TPV Product Catalog or Stainless Steel Catalog.

Ozone Contactor Structures

High levels of ozone have detrimental effects on traditional polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and strip-applied (butyl, bentonite, et al) waterstops. Neoprene and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) also do not fare well in ozone, with failure occurring at extremely low levels. Ozone contactor structures which are designed to treat drinking water in modern water treatment plants inject high levels of concentrated ozone into the water, making it necessary
for the designer to incorporate an OZONE RESISTANT WATERSTOP, such as Earth Shield into his or her design.

Earth Shield Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Waterstop (TPV) is a fully cross-linked thermoplastic vulcanizate, which is resistant to the deleterious effects of concentrated ozone and is certified for drinking water applications per NSF Standard 61. (Independent testing data is available upon request.) For extremely high levels of ozone, it may be necessary to use Earth Shield Stainless Steel Waterstop. Earth Shield utilizes 316 extra low carbon as our standard grade. 316ELC has by far, the greatest resistance to ozone of any available waterstop. Even ozone at elevated temperatures has no effect on Earth Shield Stainless Steel Waterstop. Earth Shield Chemical Resistant Waterstop is available in a multitude of shapes and sizes for both new construction and retrofit. Please see TPV Product Catalog or Stainless Steel Catalog.

Refineries & Fueling Areas

Standard PVC waterstops are compounded with plasticizer to enable the waterstop with resiliency and elongation properties. Hydrocarbons cause the plasticizer to leech out, embrittling the waterstop, and ultimately leading to failure. Earth Shield Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Waterstop is a good choice for most hydrocarbon secondary containment applications. Aromatic hydrocarbons and hot petroleum oils will cause the material to swell and
degrade physical properties over time. If prolonged exposure or extremely high temperatures are expected, Earth Shield Stainless Steel Waterstop should be used instead. Contact Earth Shield Technical Service Department for your specific application.

Chemical Plants and Acid Storage

Because so many chemicals are used throughout the process industry, it would be impossible to list every conceivable application. However, Earth Shield Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Waterstops are immune to the detrimental effects of a very large body of aggressive fluids, and chances are, we have specific testing data so plant owners can make an informed decision on the suitability of Earth Shield for a particular project.

Acids are utilized throughout the chemical process industry as catalysts, solvents, and reagents. Most acids are extremely corrosive and require special storage considerations. Earth Shield Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Waterstop resistance to acid is superior, even at elevated temperatures. For a complete ASTM D-471 Testing Chart see Earth Shield Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Master Specification.

Mining Operations

Various solutions and concentrations of acids and caustics are used throughout the mining industry. Earth Shield Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Waterstop is the perfect solution for fluid containment at mining facilities due to its outstanding acid resistance. Profiles are available for new
construction, as well as joining new to existing structures. See Earth Shield Waterstop Profile Chart to make your selection.

Manure Pits

Testing has shown that the Earth Shield Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Waterstop is immune to the corrosive effects of farm waste. For many years it has been standard practice to use strip-applied, swellable waterstops in concrete joints of manure pits. Some recent high-profile failures have illustrated an important fact: strip-applied waterstops DO NOT SWELL when exposed to contaminated farm waste (manure, urea, etc.). Therefore, these waterstops do not prevent the passage of fluids from the hydraulic side to the environment. Earth Shield Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Waterstop can stop this failure where it starts... The concrete joint.

... and Many More

Ethanol, LNG, pulp and paper, airport fueling facilities, ports, warehousing, chemical processing to name a few. The bottom line: Traditional waterstops such as PVC, neoprene, SBR, and bentonite clay all have their appropriate applications: Primarily water. Earth Shield Chemical Resistant Waterstop greatly expands the role of these waterstops by offering an EPA-compliant solution for containment of hazardous waste and corrosive fluids which would destroy other types of waterstop. We consistently provide "Real Waterstop Solutions".