Design for a turnkey PFAS contaminated fluid storage solution utilizing modular steel or concrete tanks.

1. April 2018
PFAS Storage & Containment

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Contents
ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES .................................................................................................................................. 2
ON-SITE STORAGE AND CONTAINMENT.............................................................................................................. 3
CONTAINMENT TANK CONSTRUCTION ............................................................................................................... 3
TECHNICAL OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................................................6
COMPONENT LIST .............................................................................................................................................. 6
COMPONENT DESIGN CODE & STANDARDS ........................................................................................................7
TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE ................................................................................................................................ 7
Containment Tank.................................................................................................................................................7
Liner ......................................................................................................................................................................7
Liner Testing..........................................................................................................................................................7
Satellite Monitoring System..................................................................................................................................7
REVIEW.............................................................................................................................................................. 8

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Introduction
Per- and poly-fluorinatedalkyl substances (PFAS) are described by the environmental industry
as ‘emerging contaminants’ with potential to cause harm to human health and the environment.
In recent months PFAS contamination has received significant media coverage and the issueis
now of significant public concern.
Historically, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) have been
widely used in manufacturing and industry however in Australia, it has been used to make
aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), a component of fire-fighting foams.
PFAS compounds are synthetic chemicals and are non-biodegradable and do not degrade
under typical environmental conditions. PFAS found in soil and groundwater can migrate
considerable distances and permeate through different soils and sediments, surface and
groundwater.
PFAS are highly persistent in the environment and can bioaccumulate representing a health
hazard to human and animal life. It is understood that these chemicals have contaminated
multiple sites and the surrounding area across Australia at which AFFF has been used.
EPA Australia, New Zealand (HEPA) and the Australian Government Department of the
Environment and Energy (DoEE) have collaborated to develop a PFAS National Environmental
Management Plan (NEMP). The Plan is designed to achieve a clear, effective coherent and
nationally consistent approach to the environmental regulation of PFAS.
Anticipated Outcomes
A turnkey PFAS storage and containment solution will provide for temporary, short, medium
and long term storage of PFAS contaminated waste.
• Temporary (up to 6 months)
• Short term (6 months to 2 years)
• Medium term (2-5 years) L
• Long term (greater than 5 years) holding facility for PFAS contaminated waste.
The proposed solution supports a planned and implemented risk-based approach designed to
minimise the potential for the storage facility to release PFAS into the environment, while
addressing operational requirements for differing durations of storage.
Proposed containment tanks are designed and engineered with appropriate lining and bunds
that the PFAS-contaminated material is isolated from the surrounding environmentand tanks are
equipped with satellite monitoring system that can provide real time storage data.

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A graphical representation of a typical containment tank is shown in Figure 1.
• Secure, reliable containment of PFAS contaminated waste materials
• Monitoring and data capture on condition of containment tanks
• Monitoring and data capture of fluid properties
• Monitoring and data capture of tank volumes across multiple sites
• Monitoring and data capture of processed volumes
• Mitigate risk of loss of containment through dual liner system
• Large volume (up to 50ML) relocatable fluid containment systems
• Single or multiple reticulated tanks
On-Site Storage and containment
The following description is not exhaustive, but provides a high-level overview of the procedures
and process of tank construction, liner installation and operation of the PFAS storage tank. Full
details of applicable SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures) are available on request.
Containment Tank Construction
The containment tank comprises the following main components:
1) Modular tank 06.ML - 13.5ML (Steel) - up to 50ML (Concrete).
2) A primary Polyvinyl Carbonate geomembrane containment liner to retain fluid within the
tank.
3) A secondary Polyvinyl Carbonate geomembrane containment liner to capture and retain
any fluid egress resulting from a breach in the primary liner.
4) A geotextile cushioning layer (base layer) installed as a buffer between the prepared pad
and
secondary containment liner.
5) A conductive geomembrane and geonet layer to provide liner integrity monitoring and
assist with channelling any fluid egress from a breach in the primary liner to the internal
sump.
6) A spoon (concave) base to allow for an internal sump and the ability to re-circulate leaked
fluid back to the tank.
7) External sump with submersible pump
8) Tank monitoring system with remote satellite communication
9) Solar power supply skid

5. The containment tank is a free-standing structure constructed of concrete pre-cast concrete
panels, galvanised steel support posts and steel cables.
The containment tank does not require extensive civil works and in most instances, can be
erected on a simple compacted earthen ring beam or pad. A concrete ring beam or base
can be specified for long-term storage where the tank is unlikely to be relocated.
Once the concave pad and pipework trenching has been excavated, a bitumus
geomembrane bunding layer is installed. Pipework and internal sump is then installed and
then the tank is constructed. On completion, a series of liner layers is installed. The first
layer is a geofabric material applied to the floor and walls which provides a cushion for the
first containment liner (secondary liner).
The first containment liner is installed to the floor and walls. A penetration for the internal
sump is fabricated using waterproof flanges and gaskets and then the liner and welds are
tested to ensure integrity. A conductive geomembrane is then installed which provides for
electrical integrity testing of the primary liner and leak detection location. Liner testing is
carried out in accordance with ASTM D7002 and ASTM D7703.
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FIGURE 1 TYPICAL PFAS CONTAINMENT TANK

6. The final layer (primary liner) is then installed and the complete four-layer liner system is
then secured on the top of the tank panels and capped off. The primary liner is then tested
to ensure integrity prior to commissioning.
The external sump with submersible pump is installed and connected to the internal sump
pipework to provide a ‘closed loop’ system. The level gauge is installed together with any
additional monitoring telemetry with power for the entire system provided by a solar
electricity skid.
An indicative layout is shown in Figure 2.
Loss of containment in the primary layer will result in an egress of fluid into the secondary
liner. At this point the spoon (concave) base and geonet intermediate layer will channel the
fluid and gravity feed the internal sump.
The connected pipework will divert the fluid to the external sump where the level probe will
activate the submersible pump. The submersible pump will continue to recirculate ‘closed
loop’ the fluid back to the tank via the sump return line. Telemetry will activate the satellite
monitoring system and an alert sent to the monitoring base.
Indicative Layout / General Arrangement
FIGURE 2 *CONTAINMENT MONITORING SYSTEM OPTION
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MODUALR TANK

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Component Function & Specification Summary
Modular Concrete
Tank (up to 50ML)
Modular Fluid Containment Tank – wall heights 1.8 – 5m. Fabricated
pre-stressed concrete panels, post tensioned, free standing.
Modular Steel Tank
(0.6ML to 1.4ML)
Modular Fluid Containment Cell e.g. 1.4ML. 24.4m diameter, 3m height.
Fabricated 2.3m x 3m rolled steel with steel box frame reinforcement.
Dual Liner System –
Polyvinyl Carbonate
geomembrane.
Primary and secondary fluid containment.
Polyvinyl Carbonate geomembrane is the primary geomembrane for
containment. PFAS (10 years), temperature rated up to 90 C (194 F).
Polyvinyl Carbonate geomembrane is the secondary geomembrane.
Conductive geotextile is used for testing liner integrity during installation
and containment monitoring*.
A34 geofabric provides a cushion base for the liner.
Liner Breach Detection
Spoon (concave) tank base to allow for an internal drain sump.
External sump with submersible pump to collect fluid in the event of a
breach and recirculate leaked fluid back to the tank (closed loop).
Level detection and optional fluid monitoring telemetry.
Satellite communication package for remote system monitoring.
Inlet/Outlet Manifolds
Through the wall, under the wall or over the wall inlet/outlet for filling and
emptying.
Tank netting Protection to birds and other wildlife and prevention of waste migration
through fauna
Technical Overview
The proposed turnkey PFAS containment and monitoring system can be deployed as either a
stand-alone package or as part of a larger network of containment cells.
Due to the modular construction of the tanks, the cells can be erected and deconstructed easily
for relocation. Typical installation not including earthworks for a 2ML concrete storage tank
would be 7 days with a 1.4ML steel tank being erected in 2 days.
Component List
The following table provides an overview of the equipment and their functions that can be
incorporated into the PFAS containment system design.

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Component Design Code & Standards
The containment cell and components are designed and manufactured in accordance with
Australian standards. Engineering design is RPEQ certified.
Liner systems are manufactured by one of the world’s largest producers of environmental
geomembranes and controlled by registered quality management system which meets the
requirements of the ISO 9001:2008 standard. Each liner product is certified to meet published
Minimum Average Roll Value (MARV) specifications and mill certificates are available for each lot
of geomembrane produced.
Technical Performance
Containment Tank
The steel containment tank is manufactured from 6mm rolled steel plate with welded box section
framing. Sections interlock using a tongue and pin jointing method. The concrete modular tank
system comprises pre-cast concrete panels with thickness ranging from 125mm-185mm, vertical
galvanised steel support posts and 12-15mm relaxed steel cables. Containment tanks typically
range from 1.8m to 3m in height. Panel thickness and cable size are determined by tank capacity.
Liner
Polyvinyl Carbonate geomembrane is a maximum strength supported geomembrane and is
formulated to withstand continuous temperatures up to 90 C (194 F) and to contain hydrocarbons
at elevated temperatures. PFAS containment is warranted for 10 years.
Liner Testing
To ensure the integrity of the liner system, a series of tests are carried out during the fabrication
and installation phase. These tests include Arc Testing (ELI-Electrical Liner Integrity) a process that
employs leak detection equipment featuring an ammeter which registers an increase in current in
the presence of a liner breach.
Liner testing is carried out in accordance with ASTM D7953 – 14 for installed geomembranes.
Additional QA testing procedures during installation and fabrication can include independent third-
party laboratory testing of liner samples and welds.
Satellite Monitoring System
The standard satellite monitoring system allows for remote monitoring of the tank conditions and
the scalable sensor platform can be configured to provide additional telemetry including water
quality testing and a range of other key data. The monitoring package includes but is not limited to:
• Satellite monitoring cabinet
• Water level probe
• Data logger
• Sensor connection bus (200 sensor terminals)
• Solar panel array and solar battery
• Solar regulator

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Remote monitoring system provides access to storage tank data and fluid volume management:
• Tank Management - Improves tank fleet utilisation.
• Tank Location - Identifies the exact geographic location of each tank.
• Volume Monitoring - Reports on the volume of fluid currently stored
• Processing Volume – Reports and records the volume of fluid stored over a specified period
• Data Reporting – System generated reports for waste tracking
Review
Storage and containment represents an important option in the management of PFAS
contaminated materials. Modular tank are used extensively in the oil & gas and mining
sectors to provide safe, reliable and relocatable storage solutions for regulated fluid waste.
Due to their modular construction,the proposed tanks offer a scalable solution with storage
rangingfrom 60,000L to 53ML. Tanks can be reticulated into tank farms to increase storage
capacity andcan be configured for evaporation or sealed containment.
Dual lining, bunded areas and leak detection systems combined with satellite monitoring provides
a robust ‘complete package’ for PFAS storage and containment for short, medium and long term
applications.
The use of large volume containment tanks deployed individually or across multiple sites offers the
potential to effectively monitor, track and manage PFAS contaminated liquid and ensure
compliance with the recommendation of NEMP and the continued protection of the environment
and waterways.
For further information or to discuss your project specific requirements, contact Andrew Bilton on
0410 220 477.