Written by Kory Cooper | Pulp and Paper Mills

SVI BEMCO performed an inspection of the acid tank for a Kentucky paper plant. They identified several areas that needed repair on the interior parts of the vessel.

What Did the Acid Tank Interior and Exterior Inspection Find?

When SVI BEMCO inspected the acid tank, they found that the exterior lining and foundation were in good condition and needed no repairs. However, the interior of the acid containment vessel had parts in need of repair.

The interior vessel lining inspection found the two of the west motor pads were cracked and separated and that there was cracked coating around the base of the tank. Additionally, there was exposed gravel on the south motor pad, and the sump in the southeast corner was eaten back on all four sides.

The SVI BEMCO team found the brick surface of the floor of the vessel to be in good condition and the joints hard and full. Therefore, neither of these areas needed any repair.

What Acid Tank Interior and Exterior Solutions were Offered?

After completing the inspection, the SVI BEMCO team began repairs on the interior of the sulfuric acid containment vessel. Dis-bonded and damaged concrete was demolished and removed in multiple areas. The areas were built back using 4 ½”x6” SS wedge anchors and poured back with Tufchem Epoxy concrete. The pit area was also poured back with concrete. To repair one pump, concrete was formed and poured around and under the pump in a 2’x3’x3” size. Two pump pad ends, that are 2’x3”x2”, were repaired. Following the above repairs, SVI applied Penntrowel Primer and two coats of Penncoat 221 Flake Filled Epoxy coating over all of the new Epoxy concrete that was poured.

The next repair was to the top of the curb, which was about 48’x2”. Contaminants were removed and then Penntrowel Primer and two coats of Penncoat 221 Flake Filled Epoxy coating were applied to the area.

Finally, two concrete pads were repaired. First, the existing damaged pad from under the FRP pipe (3’x2’x16”) was demoed down to the floor foundation. Likewise, a second pad that was falling apart was demoed and removed. Both pads were replaced using anchored rebar, 4 ½”x6” SS wedge anchors, and then poured with Tufchem Epoxy concrete. Lastly, Penntrowel Primer and two coats of Penncoat 221 Flake Filled Epoxy coating were applied over the two pads.

SVI BEMCO recommended that this paper plant schedules a re-inspection of the acid tank during its 2023 planned outage.

Does the acid containment area at your paper plant need this type of help? Contact SVI BEMCO today to schedule an inspection.