Nestled in the midst of the Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County Florida, is the thirty-five million dollar Sarasota County Water Improvement Plant. This state-of-the-art facility, designed by Boyle Engineering, Sarasota, is the largest EDR (Electro Dialysis Reversal) plant in the world. The plant takes brackish ground water and demineralizes and purifies it, making it suitable for potable water.

An important design consideration for the plant was the concrete protection systems. The substrate had to be shielded against degradation and contamination from harsh chemicals including 37% Hydrochloric Acid, 98% Sulfuric Acid, and 50% Sodium Hydroxide. As with all secondary containment systems, protecting the concrete that protects our environment was of concern.

The General Polymers’ systems submitted and ultimately installed by Horizon Surface Systems, Oldsmar, Florida, afforded them the opportunity to install cost effective systems. These chemical resistant fluid applied systems saved valuable time for the general contractor and owner on this fast track project.

After concrete surface preparation, a conductive primer was installed. Its purpose was to provide a conductive base over which uniform holiday testing could occur once the complete corrosion control system was in place. Holiday testing in accordance with ASTM D 4787 for concrete surfaces is a procedure which introduces a surface electrical charge. This charge seeks the point of least resistance (to the conductive primer), creating an electrical arc if pinholes or voids exist in the concrete protection system. These areas are then marked and repaired. The use of a conductive primer was an example of the diligence exercised by Boyle Engineering to insure protection of the concrete substrates and the surrounding environment.

For critical areas where maximum chemical resistance was required, COR-COTE® C-HCR coating system was selected. This 100% solids Novolac epoxy was suitable for concentrated spills and intermittent immersion of Hydrochloric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide and Sulfuric Acid. Areas treated included all secondary containment as well as the exterior sedimentation tanks.

COR-CAST® S-HP 100% solids Bis-F epoxy was utilized as the self-leveling slurry system, which protects the huge control room floor and trenches. COR-COTE C-HP 100% solids Bis-F epoxy coating system was chosen as the protective coating for the walls in the chemical feed and storage rooms, and subsurface processing trenches.

The installation proceeded smoothly and all systems were completed ahead of schedule. The contractor had zero callbacks because of the efficiency of the system. Horizon was able to secure and perform additional work on this project.

General Polymers stands ready to assist you on your corrosion control projects. For more information call 800.624.5041 west of Rockies, and 800.543-7694 east of Rockies.