Effluent Pit Lining

BACKGROUND

A trade effluent pit at an industrial site in Cheshire was severely degraded and required a durable tank lining solution as part of planned site upgrades. The pit's below-ground structure and tight project timeframe presented additional challenges, necessitating a fast-curing, high-performance system to meet the client’s requirements.

OUR SOLUTION

Corroless Eastern Limited, who expertly carried out the application process. Sikagard®-7000 CR was chosen for the project due to its robust performance in challenging conditions, offering several key benefits:

Vapor permeability: Reduces the risk of osmotic blistering, crucial for buried structures lacking external waterproofing.

Crack bridging: Ideal for aged structures where future movement is possible.High chemical resistance: Suitable for handling aggressive trade effluents.Fast curing: Minimised downtime for the client’s operations.

Moisture tolerance: Reliable even in damp conditions.

The preparation phase began with high-pressure water jetting (10,000 psi) to remove contaminants and ensure excellent adhesion of the new tank lining. This step revealed extensive degradation, with nearly all mortar joints requiring repair.

Corroless Eastern introduced dehumidification equipment to dry the chamber before testing and recording moisture content, ensuring the substrates met the manufacturer’s recommendations. Ambient conditions, including humidity and dew point, were also monitored to maintain compliance.

Next, Sikagard® M 790, a highly damp-tolerant polyurethane primer, was applied using a brush and roller. Given the limited shutdown duration, traditional cementitious repairs were not viable. Instead, a repair mortar was prepared by mixing Sikagard® M 790 with kiln-dried quartz, which was applied to create a smooth, continuous surface for the tank lining.

The tank lining involved a two-coat application process:

First coat: Applied in red to ensure thorough coverage and contrast.

Second coat: Applied in grey for a robust, chemical-resistant finish.

To accelerate curing, the chamber was enclosed and heated. Both layers were thoroughly inspected using a DC Holiday spark tester to identify and rectify any pinholes, ensuring a seamless lining to protect against chemical attack.

Despite a tight shutdown window, Corroless Eastern successfully completed the project in under a week. The Sikagard®-7000 CR system delivered a durable, long-lasting solution, securing the structural integrity of the effluent pit and enabling the client to resume operations without delay.

           BENEFITS

Sikagard®-7000 CR provides long-term protection against aggressive effluents, ensuring structural integrity and reducing the need for future repairs.

Ideal for projects with tight schedules, the rapid curing process minimised downtime and ensured the client’s operations resumed on time.

The system is designed to accommodate aged structures and damp conditions, offering reliable performance even in challenging environments.

Duration: Completed in under a week to meet the client’s tight shutdown schedule.

Solution: Application of Sikagard®-7000 CR, ensuring a durable, fast-curing, and chemical-resistant lining for the degraded effluent pit.