Kemtile has successfully completed the challenging installation of an ultra-chemical-resistant bund lining solution for a leading aerospace facility in the North of England.
This installation completed the second phase of work for the site in its metal treatment department where aerospace parts are cleaned before further processing, Kemtile installed the first phase back in 2015.
The project included the construction of a completely new metal treatment line at this large facility. Kemtile worked alongside a main contractor, structural engineers and the site project team to deliver the project – having been nominated by the client to install the new lining system to the new metal treatment area and an external effluent area.
Following initial proposals and a thorough review of the client’s needs, Kemtile provided detailed recommendations for a suitable system based on the scope of work and the designed structure.
Kemtile proposed moving away from the system installed in 2015 to a fibreglass-reinforced chemical-resistant lining system. This system was designed to eliminate the need for the expansion joints to be maintained in the future – something that was extremely important given how the joints were located under the metal treatment tanks. In the first phase, the joints were all easily accessible for maintenance.
Kemtile recommended Stonchem 878, a highly cross-linked, fibre-glass reinforced vinyl ester lining system with a silica-free top layer, as the system had to resist possible spillages of hydrofluoric and nitric acids at quite high concentrations.
Kemtile also recommended a similar solution for the adjacent external effluent treatment area. To form the required drainage “falls”, Kemtile installed a dense waterproof screed, Kemtile SBR, followed by a final installation of Stonchem 656 HD, a highly cross-linked, novolac epoxy system with a slip-resistant profile.
The Kemtile team also designed and supplied all the covers for the drainage trenches, some of which were 1m deep, and these were also lined with the Stonchem 878 system.
David Priest of Kemtile commented: “One of the key challenges during the six-month project was to work in a live production space so our work area had to be tented and a safe environment maintained within the area.
“Since the hydrofluoric acid used in the treatment processes can attack silica, we installed a silica-free version of the Stonchem 878 to provide that extra level of chemical resistance and security.”
Kemtile has been working on this site for over 20 years delivering high-quality flooring solutions as part of several projects, worth up to £20 million, to improve infrastructure and build world-class manufacturing facilities.
ENDS