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March 24, 2010

Tecniplas innovates with the oblation of tanks
Technology comprised the use of Ashland’s resins

Oblation: the diameter of the tank is temporarily reduced to allow transportation

It has been a while since Tecniplas stopped being associated with the exclusive manufacture of composites pipes and fittings. Directed by the engineer Giocondo Rossi, the Brazilian company started focusing on special and more complex equipment, and therefore of increased profitability. Cooling towers, water treatment plants and reservoirs are designed by an engineering department that has an exquisite know-how on composites. This is evidenced by the recent introduction in Brazil of the oblation system of tanks. “Due to the impossibility to transport our tanks, they were forced to have the diameter limited to 7 meters. With the oblation, we started producing reservoirs of up to 15 meters, which are able to store 2,500 m³”, he said.
       
In summary, the new technology presented by Tecniplas allows the sections of the tanks to be flattened, that is, they are oval-shaped and belted at the sides towards the center of the diameter, gaining a form similar to an “eight”. Thus, a huge reservoir of 15 meters in diameter, after being flattened, measures “mere” 5 meters, the appropriate size for the Brazilian road transportation standards. At the installation site, sections are resized and manually rolled over each other. “Oblation system is able to reduce transport time from 90 to 10 days. Depending on the tank’s diameter, it could also allow the transportation of two or three rings in the same cart. That leads to a considerable gain in logistics”.

The tanks are manufactured at Tecniplas' plant, located in Cabreúva, São Paulo, through vertical filament windingprocess, a system that combines relatively small thickness with higher mechanical resistance. In order to be deformed, the sections must be made with resins of high elongation at break. “Thus, the tanks accept the oblation and return to its original shape without any mechanical damage”, said Rossi.

Ashland was selected to provide the resin for two projects of Tecniplas involving oblation: four tanks measuring 6 to 8 meters of diameter for Alunorte and one of 13 meters for Braskem. “The oblation system of tanks is rare and requires special resin features. In addition to the high elongation, which prevents the formation of cracks during the oblation process, it must have a great connection with fiberglass, so that it generates the thinnest structural wall as possible”, describes Alexandre Jorge, business development manager of Ashland.

In both cases it was used the vinyl ester resin DERAKANE MOMENTUM® 411-350, because of its high chemical resistance and elongation at break of approximately 5.5 to 6.0%. “We have dozens of similar cases in North America in which the resin was applied with great success. That is why we decided to suggest it for this new application in Brazil”, explains Jorge.

Replacement of steel

Giocondo Rossi, director of Tecniplas, and one of the sections of the tank of 13 meters diameter provided to Braskem

According to Tecniplas’ director, oblation gives way to composites materials to compete in a segment where steel currently prevails. “Large reservoirs, especially those focused on the storage of water, are usually made of steel coated with rubber. The problem is that the appearance of leaks from corrosion is common, which does not occur when tanks are made of composites”.

Throughout 2010, Rossi believes that Tecniplas will provide three to five flattened tanks. “The acceptance has been very positive and, for this reason, I'm sure we have just opened up a new market for composites in Brazil”, he adds.

For further information, access www.tecniplas.com.br and www.araquimica.com.br