SECONDARY OIL CONTAINMENT SYSTEM

SORBWEB™ PLUS TRANSFORMER CONTAINAMENT

Albarrie’s transformer secondary oil containment systems and oil spill containments use patented mineral oil-reactive self-sealing smart fabric technology, providing a virtually maintenance-free containment.

DON'T LET TRANSFORMER LEAKS COST YOU

Chronic transformer oil spills and leaks are a significant problem for electric power substation transformers. Aging equipment is usually the cause, which costs companies thousands of dollars in cleanup, penalties, outages, and emergency maintenance. In addition, transformer oil spills redirect the work efforts of critical staff needed in other operating areas and hurt your reputation.

Governments worldwide have passed environmental regulations to ensure organizations take responsibility for protecting our environment and lessen the effects of climate change. These regulations push utility companies to address aging oil-filled equipment polluting our environment. The EPA Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) per 40 CFR 112.7, IEEE Std. 980, and MOECC requirements in Canada require organizations with oil-filled equipment to have an oil spill response plan or a secondary oil containment system to prevent an oil discharge from reaching navigable waters, protecting wildlife and public safety.

SorbWeb™ Plus Transformer Secondary Oil Containment System uses smart fabric technology. The fabric allows rainwater and snow melt to pass through, while providing continuous protection against oil spills and leaks around mineral oil-filled equipment such as substation transformers. The innovative fabric and containment design proactively protects the environment around oil-filled equipment.

Smart Containments In Action

Our Smart Containments In Action comparison guide gives you an inside view at how our systems stack up against other products in the market. Discover how our systems can save you time and money.

 

Key Benefits

Virtually Maintenance Free 

No pumps required. Albarrie’s smart fabric traps oil, not water.

Environmentally Compliant

Meets EPA Secondary Containment requirements for SPCC 40 CFR 112.7 and IEEE Std. 980.

Budget-Friendly 

Reduce installation and maintenance costs compared to other transformer oil containment systems. 

Flexible Design 

Designed and installed in greenfield or brownfield applications for all soil types within any geometric configuration.

Product Details

Albarrie's Sorbweb Secondary Oil Containment Systems for Transformers Detail
SMART FABRIC TECHNOLOGY

Albarrie’s transformer secondary oil containment systems and oil-spill containments use patented mineral oil-reactive self-sealing smart fabric technology known as Oilmat. The smart fabric contains a unique proprietary blend of dense oil-immobilizing polymers, called Alabsorb, needle-punched between two nonwoven fabric layers that seal on contact with oil, not water.

Albarrie's Sorbweb Secondary Containment installations in British Columbia
TRAP OIL, NOT WATER 

In a passive state, Albarrie’s Transformer Secondary Oil Containment System allows water to pass freely through the Oilmat without collection. The Oilmat is installed on the containment floor. When the oil comes in contact the Oilmat, it undergoes a chemical change. This chemical change congeals and seals the oil inside the fabric, turning the fabric into an impassable membrane, preventing environmental pollution.

Sorbweb Contaiment | Albarrie
ABSORBS & LOCKS SMALL LEAKS WITHOUT SPOILING YOUR CONTAINMENT

We know that substation transformers frequently have small leaks. That’s why we’ve designed our transformer oil containment system with SAM™ (SUPER ABOSOBSENT MAT). Once the Oilmat is positioned and bonded, SAM™ is installed throughout the containment area. It offers an exceptional absorption capability per square inch to prevent small leaks from reaching the Oilmat and sealing the containment. SAM™ absorbs and locks in oil but remains porous, allowing water to pass through.

Albarrie's Sorbweb Secondary Containment installations in British Columbia
QUICK & EASY INSTALLATION

Our systems are installed without interruption of service in either brownfield or greenfield applications. They come complete with all materials required for assembly. They can be installed by your organization or your preferred contractor under Albarrie’s guidance or by our professional services team.

VEHICLE-ACCESSIBLE

All our transformer secondary oil containment systems are designed to allow for drivability, allowing your vehicles to access the transformer without harming the containment.

UNFAZED BY RELENTLESS ELEMENTS

Traditional concrete secondary oil containment systems aren’t ideal for severe weather, such as heavy rainfall, snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. There’s a high risk of water overflowing and mechanical pumps failing. Fortunately, due to the free-draining ability of Albarrie’s smart fabric, you never need to worry about severe weather.

DESIGN AND INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

Albarrie ensures your project is successful and goals are achieved through a consultative process. Our standard design includes:

  • Earthen berm design without a wick drain.
  • Site plan drawing for 110% containment volume + a 1/25 rainfall event
  • A civil materials takeoff list
  • IEEE guidelines for secondary oil containment
  • SPCC Rules/MOE Requirements
  • Site and soil considerations with a client-provided geotechnical report.
  • Client specifications

Information provided by Albarrie on this website (the "Site") is for general information purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however Albarrie makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the Site. Products may not work as advertised or perform differently based on application, operating conditions, and depend on chemical, thermal, and humidity and other factors.

Options

Above Ground Design
Below Ground Design
Concrete Perimeter Walls
Composite Perimeter Walls
Turn-Key or Supply & Support Installation
Wick Drain If Required

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Applications

Permanent transformer at an electrical substation with Sorbweb Secondary Containment installed underneath.
Permanent Substation Transformers
Installation of Sorbweb Secondary Containment System at an electrical substation near the mountains and ocean in British Columbia.
Environmentally-Sensitive Areas
Multiple transformers at an electrical substation showing Albarrie's Esterweb containment underneath.
Multiple Above-Ground Transformers
Solar and windmilll farm near mountains
Solar and Wind Farm Containment Systems