Frequently Asked Questions:
Tripolymer TM-105 Tank Abandonment Media
Q. What is Tripolymer TM. Tank media?
A. Tripolymer TM. Tank Media is a hybrid belonging to one of the oldest groups of synthetically produced thermosetting plastics. Phenolics, as they are referred to, were first synthesized in 1907 in the form of Bakelite. Today, phenolic plastics are used extensively and are well recognized for their durability, structural integrity, and extraordinary fire resistance. Phenolic plastics are used in computer electronics, automobiles, machine parts, gears, fireproof coatings, waterproof binders, tools, and thousands of other commercial and household items. When manufactured for use as a foam media, Phenolics are one of the safest and most durable cellular plastics available.
Q. Is Tripolymer TM. Tank Media the same as Urea Formaldehyde foam?
A. No. Urea Formaldehyde (U.F.) or Amino Plast resins, as they are sometimes referred to were developed for use as water-soluble adhesives and glues. When converted into foam insulation and used in underground tanks, they have a tendency to be light in density and have relativity little structural strength. Being simple in chemical composition and having weak molecular bonding, Urea Formaldehyde foam hydrolyzes or decompose over time and are subject to moisture and bacterial decomposition. Most Urea Formaldehyde resins manufactured today are used as precursors for controlled release nitrogen fertilizers, temporary foundry castings and interior grade plywood adhesives.
Q. What was Tripolymer Tank Media originally developed for use as?
A. Tripolymer Tank Media was developed for one purpose only, to be used as a safe, efficient, permanent method for abandoning above and below ground storage tanks, pipe lines and decommissioned mine shafts. Unlike other products that are used primarily for insulation and agricultural purposes and are well known for their deterioration over time, Tripolymer is going to be there in the future providing the service it was designed for.
A. Tripolymer was developed in 1966 by C.P. Chemical Co. Inc. In 1974 its characteristics were expanded and refined with assistance from The United States Department of Energy, under the Federal non-nuclear energy development act of 1974 (Public Law # 93-577).
Q. Is Tripolymer approved by regulatory agencies?
A. Tripolymer is approved by more than 25
states nation wide and also by hundreds of local agencies overseeing UST (under
ground storage tank) abandonment procedures.
Tripolymer also meets the standards and requirements set by the following:
Q. Is Tripolymer approved by the United States Environmental protection agency?
A. The United States Environmental Protection Agency does not approve products or materials used for UST abandonment. They do however recommend criteria on how USTs. Should be abandoned.
A. In most areas, the state or local government agency overseeing above or belowground storage tank abandonment's require companies to file comprehensive paperwork prior or just after a tank has been abandoned. The information usually contains the name, license number or permit number of the company doing the abandonment, the size and location of the tank, the type of fuel the tank was being used for, and the product used to abandon the tank. Once the tank has been abandoned with Tripolymer Tank Media, all companies are required to furnish the tank owner with a certificate or affidavit that the tank has been abandoned according to law and the manufactures specifications. If this paperwork is not made available to you, call your local building department, fire department or health department. They will be able to advise you on how to obtain the documents you require. It is very important that you have these documents in your possession when you sell your home or business. It is now a requirement in many areas that any underground oil storage tank be either removed or abandoned prior to the sale of the building.
Q. How is Tripolymer installed?
A. Once an oil, gasoline or chemical tank has been cleaned and prepared for abandonment, Tripolymer® TM foam may be installed. A six-foot long application hose is attached at the exit point of the patented foaming gun. This hose allows the installer to direct the flow of foam down the fill pipe, directly into the tank. The foaming gun is turned on, and the flows of the three materials are adjusted to the proper pressures. From this point on, it's just a matter of observation by the operator. Once the tank is full, foam will start to exit from around the application hose. Many times the foam will also exit the vent line if it hasn't been plugged with debris or if there is no alarm. At this point the operator shuts off the foam gun, returns it to the truck and removes the fill and vent pipe. The job is then complete. In most situations, only one man is required to install Tripolymer® TM foam. All of the equipment used in the foaming process is located on the truck and can be left there permanently. There is no lugging of heavy tools, materials, or equipment, as with the use of sand or cement slurry. Your labor, time and related costs are cut to a fraction. Many installers have reported filling eight to ten 275 and 550-gallon tanks in ONE day!
A. Samples of Tripolymer have been taken from tanks that have been buried for over 25 years and tested for compressive strength according to ASTM procedure D-1621 (Industry Standards). The tests confirmed that these samples had a compressive strength of 32 to 42 pounds per square inch at the standard 2 pound density. Tripolymer's density can be easily increased if necessary.
Q. How much surface load will Tripolymer Tank Media support in a 550-gallon tank?
A. The dimensions of a 550-gallon tank are approximately 72 inches X 48 inches, a total surface area of 3456 square inches or 24 square feet. Taking 37 pounds per square inch as the average compressive strength of Tripolymer Tank Media at the standard 2 pound density, a 550-gallon tank filled with Tripolymer will support 127,872 pounds or 64 tons!
Q. I have a neighbor who had a 1000-gallon oil tank removed from under her driveway that was abandoned with concrete. It took over a week to complete the job, with a tremendous amount of noise from the jackhammers and cost a great deal of money. If I use Tripolymer to abandon an oil tank, which is located close to my house, will I have the same problem if it ever needs to be removed for future construction?
A. When a 275, 550, or a 1000-gallon heating oil tank is removed, it is normally taken out of the ground in one piece. It is then taken back to the shop cleaned out and cut into pieces for disposal. A 1000-gallon tank filled with Tripolymer TM Tank Media will only add an additional 375 pounds to the tank. It can be easily lifted out of the ground in one piece and safely be disposed of. When a tank is abandoned with cement, it must be broken into several pieces, creating more work, noise, and raising the customer's cost.
Q. I have a 550-gallon oil storage tank under a concrete garage floor that is located under my house and the fill is more than 20 feet from the top of the tank. Can I use Tripolymer TM. To abandon it?
A. Yes, if permitted by your local regulatory agency. Normally in a situation like this a variance is given for an in place abandonment. Most companies have vacuum or pump trucks equipped with suction hoses that can snake down the remote fill line. Once the oil has been pumped out, Tripolymer can be installed through the same fill. It is important to note that if a small amount of oil or sludge remains in the tank it will be absorbed by the Tripolymer and contained indefinitely; protecting the surrounding environment from contamination after the tank decomposes.
Q. Is there any digging required to install Tripolymer Tank Media?
A. Where law allows all that is necessary to install Tripolymer Tank Media is to pump or vacuum out any remaining oil from the tank, pour in and disperse a bag or two of oil absorbent material to dry any remaining sludge and then install Tripolymer. In some areas it is required that the tank be exposed accessed and cleaned of remaining oil and sludge. Once this has been done it is an easy job to install Tripolymer Tank Media, close the tank and backfill. Using this method requires a much smaller hole as compared to a total tank removal. Note: Before abandoning any above or belowground oil storage tanks, be sure to check with your state or local agency overseeing UST abandonment procedures.
Q. How long does it take to install Tripolymer Tank Media?
A. The time required to fill a tank with Tripolymer is relative to its size. A 275 Gallon tank takes approximately 5 minutes, a 550-gallon tank 10 minutes and a 1000-gallon tank 20 minutes.
A. Calculations performed by independent engineering firms show that tanks of 275, 550, and 1100 gallons in size when buried with a minimum of twenty-four inches of soil having an average density of 72 pounds per cubic foot and filled with Tripolymer will not float out of the ground. Many cities and towns in coastal areas where water tables are notoriously high have accepted these calculations.
Q. How long will Tripolymer Tank Media last when installed in an under ground oil storage tank?
A. Over the past 25 years many samples of Tripolymer Tank Media have been recovered and tested from under ground oil storage tanks, from under concrete floor slabs, from mine shafts and other subterranean applications. These samples showed minimal, and in most case no structural, bacterial or water degradation. The samples ranged from 8 to 26 years in age. Taking into consideration the volume of a 550-gallon oil storage tank and a lack of degradation of the samples tested, Tripolymer TM. Tank media should maintain its structural integrity for many hundreds of years into the future.
Q. Does Tripolymer TM. Contain or require any toxic solvents when it is being installed?
A. No. Tripolymer Tank Media is 100% water based. No solvents of any type are required for its installation or clean up.
Q. Does Tripolymer Tank Media contain or use any CFCs?
A. No. Tripolymer does not use or contain CFCs of any type.
Q. Is Tripolymer Tank Media flammable?
A. No. Tripolymer TM. Is tested periodically according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM-E-84) test criteria for determining flammability. All tests confirm Tripolymer as being non-flammable.
Q. Does Tripolymer contain any chemicals that make it non-flammable that may decompose over time, changing it's flammability characteristics?
A. No Tripolymer, being Phenolic based, is an extremely fire resistant foam media.
A. Tripolymer Tank Media has been tested for toxic materials as recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under section 311-312 of the community right to know act. All tests show conclusively that Tripolymer TM. Tank Media does not contain or has undetectable levels of these substances.
Q. Is Tripolymer TM. Expensive?
A. Taking into consideration labor, materials, time wasted on waiting for concrete pumps, sand or cement trucks and repairs to customers property after the abandonment has been completed, every Tripolymer Tank Media installer has reported that "they would only use sand or cement where absolutely necessary. Tripolymer Tank Media saves time, labor and is definitely less expensive to install than other approved tank abandonment methods".
A. The physical properties of Tripolymer have been tested and documented by the following independent laboratories: