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Westvaco Chemical Division, Facility Improvements

North Charleston, South Carolina 1999

Westvaco Chemical Division

The chemical division has existing above ground storage tanks with concrete secondary containment around them. The concrete had deteriorated over the years and was allowing leakage into the groundwater. The project required placing a secondary containment liner over the existing concrete. This required sealing around the existing tanks, various piping supports, and to the concrete containment walls. The engineer selected Seaman 8130 XR-5 geomembrane for the new secondary containment liner due in part to its excellent chemical resistance and UV properties. An 8 oz. nonwoven geotextile was specified to be placed over the existing concrete to cushion the liner.

Environmental Fabrics, Inc. was selected to install the geotextile and the XR-5 liner. The plant maintenance personnel rerouted piping and removed interference to minimize the penetrations in the new liner. The geotextile cushion and liner were installed and sealed to the concrete tank bases and walls using stainless steel batten strips with a gasket and anchor bolts.

Seaman Tuff-Trac walkways were selected to be placed on the liner to allow access to equipment within the containment area. Tuff-Trac walkways are yellow, have a slip resistant design, and are welded to the surface of the XR-5 liner. Environmental Fabrics, Inc. cut and placed walkways as required for access.

The upgrade was accomplished without interrupting the operations of the plant. The XR-5 liner system has stopped all leakage into the groundwater assurance compliance with environmental regulations.