Can Composites Continue to be a Game Changer for Utilities?

Over the past few years or so, American Electric Power (AEP) has been using Strongwell’s COMPOSOLITE® Secondary Containment System for its oil containment systems. EXTREN^® square tubes, plates and angles as well as COMPOSOLITE^® structural panels are used by the fabricated system.

Figure 1. Strongwell’s COMPOSOLITE^® Secondary Containment System has been the method of choice for oil containment systems for AEP.

Consequently, AEP is able to maintain compliance with the Spill Prevention Control Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations (40 CFR Part 112) stipulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. According to the directive, utilities should adopt proper steps to avert the “reasonable potential” of an oil spill from reaching navigable water.

Composite Secondary Containment System

Before the introduction of Strongwell’s COMPOSOLITE^® Secondary Containment System, AEP was using the standard pour-in-place concrete containment systems around the oil-filled substation equipment. However, concrete is not only laborious, but it is also limited by temperature and location. The company also tried using berm dikes, but related maintenance and equipment access appeared to be quite complicated.

C.I.Agent Solutions^® and Strongwell recently teamed up with AEP regarding a substation based in Blacksburg, Virginia. This substation employed C.I.Agent’s oil filtration panel system together with an AEP liner. Despite cold temperatures, the installer Service Electric Co. was able to perform the task. The ease and simplicity of this specific installation was praised by team members, because this was their first-ever interaction with a composite secondary containment system.

Figure 2. Recently, Strongwell and C.I.Agent Solutions^® collaborated with AEP on a substation in Blacksburg, Virginia.

C.I.Agent Solutions^®, the supplier of the barrier boom, has deployed more than 10,000 SPCC compliant secondary containment solutions systems and also designed a fully customizable containment drainage system using Strongwell’s COMPOSOLITE^® Secondary Containment System along with its C.I.Agent Solutions^® HFF Oil Stop Valve and C.I.Agent Solutions^® Geomembrane Liner Floor.

Benefits of COMPOSOLITE^® Systems

Strongwell’s COMPOSOLITE^® Secondary Containment Systems are resistant to UV, corrosion, and direct flame. They are also rugged, cost effective, have low electrical and thermal conductivity, and are easy to install.

Figure 3. Each COMPOSOLITE^® Secondary Containment System is corrosion and UV resistant, strong, low in thermal and electrical conductivity, cost effective, resistant to direct flame and easy to install.

COMPOSOLITE^® System Leads to Significant Job Savings

For standard installations, the COMPOSOLITE^® system eliminates the need for special equipment and requires only 50% of the man hours of a concrete containment system, translating into considerable job savings. The system comes with adhesive, adhesive applicator, drill bits and fasteners, and is supplied in a kit form to job locations.

The following table presents the technical data:

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Strongwell Corporation.

For more information on this source, please visit Strongwell Corporation.