Elko Water Reclamation Facility - concrete infrastructure rehabilitation

Elko, Nevada - USA, Water Reclamation Facility (WRF)
Concrete Plant Structure Rehabilitation with Epoxy Coating
Epoxytec CPP Structural Epoxy
October, 2010
Certified Applicator: Camino Constructors, LLC.

Wastewater treatment plants are some of the worst environments for corrosion attack on infrastructure. There are many different structures throughout the plant that handle the extreme environment for which waste water is recognized. If not protected properly, this harsh environment will deteriorate the concrete, or steel, over time and cost treatment plants time and money to replace these critical structures.

One of the structures at this facility had been coated previously; however, with the high flow along with the hydrogen sulfide gases from the wastewater pumping into the structure, if not coated properly, or, with the right coating, failure will occur.

Epoxytec, a leader in water and wastewater infrastructure rehab, was called in to consult with Camino Constructors and Elko WRF to provide the best solution for the repair and rehabilitation of this structure. After careful consideration, it was determined that Epoxytec CPP would be the best solution for this project.

Epoxytec CPP is a (2) component structural epoxy with 16,000 psi compressive strength that is highly adhesive, both important for an application of this level where failures have been an issue. The first thing that needed to be done, was to remove the old coating from the structure.

Removing the old coating was done carefully so as not to damage the concrete underneath. This was done by scraping off the coating initially and then grinding what was left in order to achieve a surface to NACE Surface Preparation Standard SSPC-SP 13/ NACE No. 6.

Once the surface was properly prepared, Epoxytec CPP can be trowel applied directly to the cleaned surface. This is particularly important when trying to get the structure back into service with a limited time frame. Epoxytec CPP is a self-priming, re-build and lining system all in one. Another great quality of the CPP is it's ease-of-use and lack of equipment needed to apply. With a drill gun, mixing bit and trowel, you're ready to apply CPP anywhere.

These pictures demonstrate the application procedure for Epoxytec CPP. Once troweled on the substrate, the use of water was utilized to smooth the surface and knock down trowel marks allowing easy clean up of contaminants that may embed themselves into the coating potentially causing damage.

An area of the structure was done immediately after the surface preparation was completed and allowed to cure overnight so that a working area could be utilized the following day without damaging the newly applied coating. In cooler weather, as what we had here, a wall was built on the open side of the structure to prevent the cold air from coming into the building and the use of heat lamps helped moderate the temperature inside the structure so that the product would cure in the proper time and allow for this area to return to service in a minimal amount of time.

Once completed, a final inspection was done to ensure there were no voids or bug holes in the coating and that the coating had cured prior to being put back in service. The total time of application took less than two days to complete and the Epoxytec CPP coating will provide more than adequate protection of the concrete in this type of environment for a long, long time.