Nuclear power plants provide approximately 6% of the world's energy, but it is not without its concerns. With the possible exposure to human lives, animals, and the environment, radioactive materials and wastes must be controlled and stored correctly. ArmorThane's polyurea coatings present solutions to these most critical containment challenges.

Many nuclear power plants implement ArmorThane's polyurea to manage contaminated liquid waste by providing a surface barrier over the hidden tanks' surface to avoid environmental disasters.

For example, one well-known nuclear site housed four tanks below the floor of the processing cells, storing 19,000 gallons of highly radioactive liquid waste. Polyurea was sprayed on the floor and walls to reduce radioactive permeation from the hidden tanks from coming through the cement. After spraying ArmorThane's polyurea, the contamination levels on the floor of the building registered low compared to the levels that existed before spraying a monolithic membrane over the concrete.

History Of Using Polyurea

Tests on polyurea coatings performed in the late 1990s demonstrated that nuclear contamination could be mitigated with a single water rinse, and the polyurea coating is radiation-resistant. Unlike polyurea, epoxy coatings crack and require continual maintenance. A polyurea seamless coating presents a strong membrane that is 100% free of pinholes and flaws. It is remarkably flexible, highly chemical, weather, and corrosion-resistant.

Although policies are specific about the need for secondary containment, you're free to use anything that meets the specifications. So whether you've got a single drum or a 30,000-gallon tank, there are numerous options for producing secondary containment that can hold the whole amount. Here are eight tips to assist you in creating a system that will work for you:

1. Using Containment Pallets and Decks

If you store less than 20 drums or just a few totes, then a dedicated containment space with sloped floorings and integrated retention sumps is probably overkill-- and well beyond your budget proposal. Portable spill containment pallets and decks provide instant containment for drums, totes, and other containers and provide you with the flexibility to move your containment as your center grows or alters.

2. Build Cement Berms

Put concrete and cement obstruct structures are two typical methods to create custom-sized secondary containment. These kinds of berms are most commonly used outdoors-- especially for tank containment-- because they can last forever. Sealing the concrete produces a waterproof barrier when guidelines demand it. Concrete berms also offer strength and sometimes added security for the materials saved within the bermed location. Just remember, concrete berms are long-term structures.

3. Set Up Flexible Barriers

If you need forklift and cart access to your secondary containment locations, PIG Build-A-Berm Barriers provide containment they can drive over. Because the core is made from versatile foam, the berm agreements when weight is placed on it then springs back to shape when the weight is eliminated. This enables practically any area with a strong, resistant flooring to become a "full-access" secondary containment area.

4. Develop Slopes

Grading a parking area or an area within a center to direct liquids to a place where they can be collected, vacuumed, or otherwise consisted of is a significantly popular alternative for brand-new building and construction or renovating facilities.

Sloping a secondary containment location helps keep containers out of the spill, and lets responders gather spills more quickly. It likewise helps rainwater and snowmelt drain from outside containment systems. Sloped outside systems can be fitted with purification media to remove trace oils or other contaminants from storm waters to avoid contamination.

5. Build Retention Ponds

Retention ponds are frequently used as a best management practice (BMP) for Stormwater compliance, but they can also function as secondary containment for spills inside or outside a center. In some cases, they can be built exclusively of earthen materials. Still, some regulations might require them to be lined or otherwise impervious to avoid chemicals from leaching through the pond and into the environment.

6. Construct Earthen Berms

Big tank farms are the most common location for earthen berms that are produced from well-packed soil. These are extremely low-priced and don't take very long to take into location. The huge drawback is that these berms typically become infected in the event of a spill and require to be remediated or replaced-- which can be extremely expensive and include considerable time to any cleanup efforts.

7. Usage Double-Walled Tanks and Equipment

Tanks and oil-filled equipment are two examples of gadgets that are frequently available with double-walled secondary containment. In case the main wall of the tank or devices establishes a leak, the second wall includes the spill so that it is not released into the environment.

Some tanks and equipment are even designed with alarms or assessments to signal you that the inner wall has been breached.

8. Deploy Collapsible Containment

If your secondary containment needs differ from one month or task to the next, retractable containment might be the ideal service. Retractable systems resemble aboveground pools but are stronger and much faster to deploy. They also have walls that fold down to enable cars to drive in and out. When they're not required, they can be folded compactly for storage or carrying from one area to another.

Believe Outside package

You can find pre-fabricated or produce engineered options for almost any secondary containment requirement. The eight alternatives listed here are simply the start; when it concerns secondary containment, the EPA provides you the flexibility to create what works and comply with this requirement in a way that works for you. Find the right secondary containment system for your situation with PIG Spill Containment Pallets and Decks, spill containment berms, and portable and collapsible spill containment.