Super tank Polymer Concrete
Electrolytic Cells are designed, built and installed to satisfy the
most stringent requirements requested by tank house operators
worldwide. In most case their main request is to guarantee full
operating availability throughout the plant\'s lifespan, maximizing
production of high-purity metal (copper, zinc, nickel, cobalt, lead
or other) with absolute safety for people and the
environment.
Additionally, electrolytic cells
must accommodate changes for continuous improvement of electrolytic
process, integrating efficiently with upgrades of complementary
equipment such as anodes, cathodes, cap boards, overhead crane,
electrolyte agitation systems, acid mist control devices, thermal
insulation, among many others.
Super tank electrolytic cells are
cast monolithically based on a patented, three stratum composite
material system:
The internal stratum is a
monolithic tank made with multiple layers of fiber-reinforced vinyl
ester resin (FRP) complying with chemical barrier international
norms that assure long term impermeability and corrosion
resistance.
The intermediate stratum is the
structural core made with Hyperbonded Polymer Concrete, with a
patented formulation to achieve a low coefficient of thermal
expansion, providing long term structural integrity with low
thermally-induced stresses.
The external stratum is a standard
seal layer of FRP that further protects the structural core from
electrolyte splashes and spills. Optionally, this external seal may
be specified with multi-layered oriented fiber reinforcements to
guarantee trouble-free operation in unusually extreme operating
environments.
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Super tank electrolytic cells
are characterized by their rounded shapes, optimized for aggressive
thermal conditions through successive iterations using computer
simulations and finite element analysis.
The Super tank design eliminates
corners and sharp edges, replacing them with smooth curves in the
interior and exterior junctions. Abrupt changes in wall thickness
become gradual transitions throughout the structure, mitigating
stress concentrations and reducing material usage and weight by
****5% maintaining the cell’s holding capacity. Â
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    Benefits of super tank electrolytic
cells are as follows:
      Guaranteed
Long-Term Impermeability, Free of Corrosion
It is designed with a monolithic
impermeable internal tank manufactured with multiple layers of
fiber-reinforced premium vinyl ester resin. The specifications for
this internal tank have been validated by proven impermeability and
corrosion-free service for over *0 years in the chemical processing
industries worldwide.
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 Manufacturer’s *0 Year Warranty
We guarantee Super tank cells
for continuous service without leaks, free of corrosion and
structural flaws, operating under normal conditions as specified
for each Project.
     Swift, Accurate and
Less Costly Installation
Super tank cells include
features that allow reduction of *5% or more in time needed for
cell erection, alignment and leveling, compared to time required
with conventional polymer concrete cells. Dimension tolerances for
Super tank cells are consistently tight, simplifying installation
in the most demanding applications, including plants with automated
crane systems.
      Minimum Cleaning Time
and Water Consumption
The rounded internal shape,
optional sloped cell floors, and smooth, flat finish of the
internal tank, facilitate water sweeping and drainage of heavy
sludge, with reduced water usage and accelerating return to service
after each cleaning.
     Minimum Maintenance
Cost
The robust, virtually impervious
internal tank that is chemically bound to the Hyperbonded polymer
concrete structural core during molding is tolerant to operating
abuse. Its smooth, non-stick surfaces minimize adhesion of
contaminants.
     Maximum Operational
Safety
The structural core of Super
tank cells is bolstered with sturdy external seismic reinforcement
blocks confining its floor supports, and includes a robust,
internal bidirectional, pultruded FRP bar mesh reinforcement which
positively maintains integrity should the cell fail due to
catastrophic events. Super tank cell installation protocols call
for lateral wall collaboration between cells, thus reducing stress
levels of cell around *0% under normal operating conditions.
      Key Accessories
Integrated with Super tank Cell EngineeringÂ
We design and manufacture cell
thermal insulation, capping board and electrolyte agitation systems
that can be incorporated in the cells, enhancing overall safety,
cathode quality and tank house productivity.
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     Typical Cell Construction
Features
    Super tank electrolytic
cells are manufactured with a proprietary “tri-stratum polymer
composite materialâ€. This material consists of three
monolithically bound layers.
(1)Â Â An electrolyte
FRP seal or chemical barrier
(2)Â Â A structural
core made with Hyperbonded polymer concrete (aggregate
reinforcement grading according to US Patents No. ******9)
(3)Â An external FRP
seal.
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The polymer concrete structural
core and both FRP seals are manufactured to ensure a high quality
chemical bond between the three strata, forming a cohesive,
monolithic composite material with very high chemical and
mechanical strength. The formulation and properties of this
composite material have been tailored for best performance
electrolytic cells.
The electrolyte seal complies
with the sections of norms DIN *8.****3 and ASTM C**2 regarding
chemical barriers for FRP tanks. These forms have been validated by
more than *0 years of successful industrial experience. This seal
typically consists of three layers of fiberglass impregnated with
vinyl ester resin.
The external seal is
manufactured with same care and quality as the electrolyte seal,
although with only one FRP layer it does not comply with the above
standards.
 Both seals can be
inspected according to norm ASTM D***7 Class IV. As an option the
seals may be pigmented white, gray or other color favorable to
refinery operation or purchase preference.
 The Hyperbonded polymer
concrete material offers improved mechanical strength and excellent
chemical and electric resistance, compared to conventional polymer
concrete. It has also been formulated to reduce thermal dilatation
that induces high mechanical stress in electro-refining
cells.
The Hyperbonded polymer concrete material offers
improved mechanical strength and excellent chemical and electric
resistance, compared to conventional polymer concrete. It has also
been formulated to reduce thermal dilatation that induces high
mechanical stress in electro-refining cells.