As an electric utility or services company, you’re subject to strict environmental protection guidelines, including preventing transformer oils from unintentional escape. Solidification Products International Inc. (SPI) has been a trusted source of transformer oil containment products for decades. We understand the challenges of managing regulatory compliance and provide cost-effective and innovative solutions to meet them.
What Are the Parts of an Electric Power Plant and Substation?
An electric power plant is a facility that generates electricity by burning fuel to transform water into steam that powers turbines. These sites generally consume significant oil and store considerable amounts of it, reinforcing the need for robust containment solutions.
A substation is part of the distribution network where transmission lines intersect. High-voltage lines send power into the system, where it moves through various equipment, like switches and capacitors. It also travels through transformers that step down the voltage to acceptable levels for distribution lines.
Transformers rely on polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) -based oils for heat exchange, insulation and cooling. This equipment can hold hundreds of gallons of specialized oil, which can be toxic with excessive or prolonged exposure. As a result, substation operators must take steps to contain potential leaks and spills to protect nearby people and the environment.
Why Does the Electric Services Industry Need Oil Containment?
The primary reason for electrical substation oil containment solutions is compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations. These mandates apply to any facility with transformers larger than 55-gallon capacity and total storage over 1,320 gallons. Under the rule, companies must develop and implement site-specific plans to limit escape potential and respond to incidents. Infractions can be costly or lead to jail terms.
Another potential risk in the electric services industry is older infrastructure. Many companies have begun transitioning to gas breakers, but older oil-based models may still be used in some substations and systems. Due to their age and the oil they contain, these transformers present a higher risk of a spill or escape.
Depending on your proximity to waterways, spills also pose a risk of water pollution. Stormwater runoff can carry oil into water bodies, negatively affecting water quality and aquatic life. These spills also directly violate the EPA’s guidelines. An oil containment strategy is part of a good Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.
Calculating Secondary Oil Containment Capacity
To ensure adequate oil containment for your electric services company, you will need a system with the right carrying capacity to contain any oils in the event of a spill. That means accurately calculating the required area of your containment system.
To calculate secondary oil containment capacity, you will need to know three variables:
- Total oil volume: You will need to determine the amount of oil required by your transformer. Review the transformer’s nameplate or the manufacturer’s data sheet to find the total volume of oil your transformer carries.
- Freeboard: Calculate the precipitation likely to gather in your containment area. A good practice is to estimate 10% of your transformer’s total volume.
- Displacement: Infrastructure like the transformer pad or the transformer itself can affect your system’s containment capacity. You will need to factor in displacement when calculating containment capacity.
Calculating the secondary oil containment capacity needed for your transformer can be complicated. At SPI, we have trained professionals who can help you determine the perfect containment solution for your company. We specialize in creating custom solutions specific to our clients’ transformer and site topography.
Complete Oil Containment Solutions for Transformers
Our team offers easy to install and maintain transformer oil containment solutions. From liners to barriers, our solutions can help you protect your property and remain compliant.
- Oil Containment Shield™: One of our latest additions, the Oil Containment Shield is specifically for smaller transformers. We can build the OCS system on different topographical settings, creating a system that fits your specific needs. The OCS features a filtration system that can evacuate rainwater while ensuring oil containment.
- Drop-In Containment Liner: Enjoy complete containment security with our drop-in containment liners for berms. Our liners use XR-5 membranes to offer durable protection. We pair the geomembrane liners with our patented Petro-Pipes® to discharge rainwater without allowing oil spills.
- Petro-Barrier™: Our Petro-Barrier technology provides complete oil containment for transformers. The SPI proprietary technology allows this containment solution to facilitate rainwater evacuation with a discharge capacity of 30 gallons per minute, all while restricting oil spillage. The Petro-Barrier has three filter layers made of different materials.
- Pump-Thru Barriers™: The Pump-Thru Barrier is a unique technology engineered for maximum oil containment. Through our proprietary design, it can separate rainwater and oil emulsions to provide clear water discharge and redirect the oil back into the containment area. You can pair this equipment with our heating blanket to provide secure containment in cold weather.
- Petro-Pipes: Get all-year containment with Petro-Pipes. Our Petro-Pipes can be installed directly in the containment area wall, making them ideal for different containment systems, including concrete or our XR-5 liners.
Why Work With Us
SPI is an innovator in the oil spill containment sector. From proactive preventive measures to post-spill cleanups, our oil containment solutions are designed to support your specific operations. Choosing SPI means:
- Quality assurance: Our facility is ISO 9001:2015 certified to ensure we always offer a quality product you can trust. As a GSA provider, our containment solutions are also used in different U.S. government facilities.
- Expertise and experience: Since 1991, our team has been helping companies create complete oil containment solutions. We are a veteran-owned small business, meaning we bring heart and grit to every design.
- Product variety: Regardless of the type of transformer you use or the landscape of your site, you are sure to find a containment solution from our vast product range. We also offer custom solutions to accommodate your specific application.
- A U.S. manufacturer: Our products are made and tested on U.S. soil with premium materials that ensure exceptional durability.
Work With SPI for Substation Oil Containment Solutions
Solidification Products International, Inc. designs and produces innovative containment solutions that prevent oil from leaking into the environment. Our history of providing reliable solutions with zero failures positions us to offer you trusted approaches that will last for years.
Contact an SPI specialist online to learn more about our containment products or request a custom quote.