CASE HISTORY:
This 3000-4000 square foot concrete Porpoise tank located in Miami Florida’s SeaQuarium was in dire need of repair. The previous coating had failed putting the tank out of operation. Since this particular holding tank was used for isolating and medicating sick mammals, it was necessary to conduct the repairs and bring the tank back in operation as soon as possible.
- The main concern was the amount of down time required to remove the old failed coating system, conduct concrete repairs, and recoat the entire tank in a very short time.
- Rick Bennett, Inc. located in Coral Springs, Florida was the contractor chosen for the job.
- Due to previous material failures, the maintenance department decided to go with the AquaCoat system manufactured by Elastomer Specialites, Inc.
MATERIAL:
INSTALLATION:
The first phase of the renovation procedure and most difficult, was to mechanically scrape off all the old failed coating and then using high pressure water rams, remove all remaining coating from the surface area of both inside and outside the tank.
- Once the old coating removal phase of the project was completed, the contractor then applied a penetrating sealer, specifically developed to lock out vapor drive, (See mfg. for details).
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The next step of the operation called for the application of Elastomer Specialties water based epoxy primer, PoxyPrime H2O. The coverage rate was approximately 150 SF per gallon.
The primer, a 2:1 ratio material, with a long pot life, was easily applied using an airless sprayer. The primer was installed to both the inside and outside of the tank.
Once applied and allowed to dry, (primer turns from a white milky color to clear when cured, usually within 30 minutes or less depending on temperature) ESI’s aromatic polyurea spray for the base coat (ElastoGard DLX) was installed using a Condor low pressure pump, at a dry film thickness of 65-75 mils. With a tensile strength in the 7,000 range, an elongation over 400%, and a very low perm rate, DLX would be the product of choice for Miami’s Seaquarium maintenance personnel.
The final protective coating requirement called for a product to be totally color stable, non toxic, and have excellent bonding strengths to the polyurea base coat. PolySpar HP also manufactured by Elastomer Specialties was applied by roller and by the Condor Plural Component pump system.
The first coat of HP was applied using tight nap commercial rollers, at a film thickness of approximately 7 mils. The second and final coat of PolySpar HP was installed, once again, with a Condor Low Pressure pump system, at 7-9 mils.
The total coating system once complete was between 75-85 mils, dry film thickness.
Rick Bennett, Inc. the coatings contractor installing the AquaCoat Polyurea System was able to complete the project in the specified amount of time.
Once the project was done, Seaquarium personal began filling the tank within 24-36 hours.
Due to the ease of material application and use of the Condor, SeaQuarium maintenance division purchased one of the Deluxe Condor Pump models for future maintenance and repairs of the park.
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