Wednesday, 16 July 2014

The Truth About Secondary Containment Systems

By Marylou Forbes


The world is composed of both harmful and useful chemicals. Sometimes, even the sensitive and toxic ones are widely used in some industries. These liquids are used to be able to successfully create a certain product, or to make something work well and with utmost efficiency. Some industries use harsh chemicals that can cause pollution to the soil and the waters, which provides for the utmost need for secondary containment systems.

They are widely used in more and more industrial, chemical, and even nuclear projects as some sort of extra precaution because most of their procedures are highly sensitive and their by products pose imminent threat to the balance of nature. They accumulate waste that should be disposed of properly, and until then, they should be placed in a temporary yet safe unit to avoid any untoward accidents.

These spill containers come in varied designs and sizes. They also have different functions and are made to cater different needs. At the top of the extensive list of choices for a secondary container is the bund, which is used as back up containers for storage drums, tanks, and other designs that hold a large amount of toxic and flammable chemicals and similar substances.

There are also some equipment, like in the case of some oil pipes, that have a high chance of developing leaks. For this reason, some companies use drip trays. They act as special basins that will inhibit the liquid substance from getting to parts of the field where they should not get to. Without these drip trays, oil and flammable liquids can get to other equipment and may cause massive fire if one is not careful.

Interceptors, also called sumps, are catchers of liquid such as water. It is characterized as being a low space that manages surface water and doubles as a recharge mechanism for aquifers. Firewater drainage, sewers, storm water drains are all examples of such sumps.

Concentric pipes are also a kind of spill containment system. They are oftentimes provided with some sort of an outer shell or a secondary pipe for protection against loss of containment. The outer one could be fashioned from a much more stronger material, such as steel or anything that is sufficient enough to give further containment without any kind of failure, even for a short duration.

Catch pots, precipitators, scrubbers and flares belong to the classification of off gas treatment methods. They are normally a part of the original system that can also serve as a secondary unit. These are often utilized for the reduction of concentrations of most vapors and gases.

Pressure control is a very integral factor in most operations, too, which is why a device that does the selfsame function is very much needed. Expansion systems do this specific job. They are tasked with the prevention of pressure build up to prevent spillage.

For safety reasons, there are safety guidelines in the use and the maintenance of such containers. For starters, an excellent spill container should be able to safely hold waste until they are ready to be disposed of. They should also be a distinct unit and not a mere extension of the primary ones.




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