Environmental Custom Solutions
Custom fabrication is our business. MPC’s design and engineering team has the experience and the industry expertise to design a solution that meets your requirements. If you have a custom project and would like to receive more information or a free estimate, please fill out the Quote Form or call us toll-free on 1.800.621.0146.
Featured Installation: Indiana Department of Transportation Fuel Containment Liner
The Indiana Department of Transportation used Geofoam, which is a synthetic earth fill, to resurface asphalt and slide correction. Geofoam is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly earth fill; however, is susceptible to fuel. Therefore, MPC Containment designed and installed PetroGard VI to stop the Geofoam from eroding from gasoline and other fuels, leading to constant replacements. This MPC liner is highly flexible and easily installed in the field.
Pipe Containment
Piping containing chemicals and fuels often requires secondary containment as insurance against leaks caused by rusting or other physical damage. Pipe diameters and configurations can make use of rigid containment impractical, so MPC has developed spill containment systems for above and below ground applications using flexible membranes. In many cases the components can be prefabricated in our factory speeding up field installation and reducing customer downtime.
The Eastman Chemical Company contracted with MPC to wrap approximately two miles of underground process and sewer pipes of varying diameters at its facility in the City of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. We developed a technique for wrapping the pipes with polyurethane coated PetroGard™ VIII liner material, and welding them closed.
MPC has applied its wrapping technique to other installations, including applications where piping runs through contaminated areas. The wrapping protects a product or commodity, such as water, as it moves through the pipes. SPCC rule 40cfr112 requires pipes carrying petroleum or other oil products in certain areas have such secondary spill containment systems.
Valve Containment
In many cases a tank, dike area, or lagoon has valves that must be opened and closed to add or remove material. Precautions must be taken to prevent the material from leaking and contaminating the surrounding area when the valves are operated. Valves like this are comparatively intricate in shape and field fabrication is often necessary, so the protective membrane must be specified for flexibility as well as chemical resistance and toughness. Materials such as HDPE which derives its strength only from thickness are often too stiff for fabrication to the net shape required, and subject to fatigue caused by the flexing motion of frequent opening and closing. On the other hand, PetroGard™ derives its strength from its polyester base fabric, so a PetroGard™ product with certain tensile, puncture, and tear specs is much thinner, lighter, and more flexible then HDPE with the same properties.
This photo shows a valve containment bag designed for Shell Oil Company. MPC engineers performed an on-site evaluation and devised a containment solution with a zipper slide closure to seal and close a bag around the valve, The system includes a sight gauge drain which allows both visual monitoring and a means to remove any contamination from the containment bag. PetroGard™ VI material was used based on its UV stability, chemical compatibility, strength, and flexibility.
MPC received approval from the State of Florida Department of Environmental Regulation for this flexible containment bag concept, which is now specified and employed worldwide.
Fuel Dispenser
Service stations, fleet garages, truck stops, and other facilities with gas pumps have cause to be concerned about fuel leaks. MPC’s flexible pump box liner was developed at the request of one of the world’s largest oil companies, which was looking for a way to retrofit its existing service station dispensers with petroleum containment devices.
MPC met the requirement for minimum service interruption by designing a fabrication which can be installed without island alterations or concrete breakup in just a few hours. The pre-engineered unit, made from PetroGard™ Vlll material, is stocked in standard designs for single or multiple dispensers. The material is impervious to all gasoline and alcohol blends, diesel fuels and all fuel additives. It will not corrode or crack like containment boxes made from steel or other rigid materials.
This cutaway view shows how the pump box containment device fits within the pump box. Isolation cones form an impenetrable seal around the shear valves and sealant is applied to other protrusions. Once installed, the unit contains leaking fuel, which can be removed manually or drained into a secondary containment system.
