Spill Containment for Natural Gas Storage Facility
Spill Containment for Natural Gas Storage Facility
(OP)
The proposed site is an underground gas storage facility. Currently the site is being drilled for future operations (storage). The post developed site will have 6" of crushed stone for the majority of the area (300' x 300') and will have an earthen containment berm (2:1 slope, 4' high) surrounding the site. During normal operations and rainfall events, a single outfall culvert with a sluice gate will be utilized to handle all stormwater. In the event of a spill (brine or other), the sluice gate will be closed, effectively containing any spilled substance.
Currently the soils are poor (organic and "fat" clays) and I am awaiting the geotechnical report to confirm. I have several questions in determining what is the best solution to a spill containment:
1. Should I use a liner for the containment berm (GCL)? If so, should it only line the berm or the whole site (kinda like a swimming pool)?
2. Should the entire berm just be constructed of a quality clay (bentonite)?
Any other suggestions or ideas into what could be used for spill containment would be helpful. I'm leaning toward using a geosynthetic clay liner only for the berm, but I also want to see what the geotechnical engineer has to say in his/her report.
Currently the soils are poor (organic and "fat" clays) and I am awaiting the geotechnical report to confirm. I have several questions in determining what is the best solution to a spill containment:
1. Should I use a liner for the containment berm (GCL)? If so, should it only line the berm or the whole site (kinda like a swimming pool)?
2. Should the entire berm just be constructed of a quality clay (bentonite)?
Any other suggestions or ideas into what could be used for spill containment would be helpful. I'm leaning toward using a geosynthetic clay liner only for the berm, but I also want to see what the geotechnical engineer has to say in his/her report.





RE: Spill Containment for Natural Gas Storage Facility
RE: Spill Containment for Natural Gas Storage Facility
RE: Spill Containment for Natural Gas Storage Facility
They are trying to contain any brine spilled on the ground. In the event of a spill, the sluice gate will be closed, and the brine will be cleaned up. Brine is produced when injecting water into a salt dome to create the storage space for the natural gas.
TDAA,
Would a "lean" clay such as one with a lower LL be better suited for berm material or would a higher swell capacity be more desirable for this situation? I'm guessing either will have low hydraulic conductivity.
I'm just unfamiliar with how to properly "seal" off a containment area with an earthen berm and am curious if just the berm needs to be impervious or the berm including some depth beneath it should be impervious.
RE: Spill Containment for Natural Gas Storage Facility
The function of the berm in this application is not flood protection, only for proper stormwater discharge. I'm not sure if what I'm finding is overkill for this situation being that most of the documents I've found so far is for levee or dam construction.
RE: Spill Containment for Natural Gas Storage Facility
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RE: Spill Containment for Natural Gas Storage Facility
RE: Spill Containment for Natural Gas Storage Facility
Experience shows that the liners puncture easily. This results in costly repairs.
The clay liners, however, function extremely well- when constructed correctly.
Every industry expert, as far as I know, wants clay liners. Only the EPA pushes the plastic liners.
If allowed in your state, use clay.
RE: Spill Containment for Natural Gas Storage Facility
The geotech is running the permeability tests right now so once I get those results (coupled with environmental boys allowance for detainment time within the berm should a spill happen) it will help in determining if a clay liner or clay cutoff trench is the best solution.
Thanks again for all the replies.
RE: Spill Containment for Natural Gas Storage Facility
RE: Spill Containment for Natural Gas Storage Facility
RE: Spill Containment for Natural Gas Storage Facility
I've yet to discuss this with the geotech but will shortly to see what his recommendation is.
RE: Spill Containment for Natural Gas Storage Facility
1. Constructing the berm out of suitable clay material (PI < 40).
2. Lime treatment of existing clay material to lower PI.
3. Synthetic liner.
4. Sheetpile installed through the berm section.
Per my discussion with the client, it seems that we will go the rout of utilizing suitable clay material for both the berm construction and the site itself.
Thanks for all the replies.