We needed more than just storage; we needed a custom-engineered solution for our unique operational needs, and the UK Bunded Fuel Tanks team delivered two perfectly specified tanks that have become the cornerstone of our site expansion.
Client: Leading Liquid Waste Disposal Specialist, Cornwall.
Challenge: To design, fabricate, and deliver a large-scale, dual-purpose bulk storage solution for raw waste and processed water, overcoming significant logistical and site-specific constraints.
Solution: Two bespoke 200,000-litre steel bunded tanks, custom-engineered for specific operational needs and transported via a coordinated, police-escorted convoy.
Introduction
UK Bunded Fuel Tanks was approached by a leading liquid waste disposal company based in Cornwall. As part of a major on-site expansion to increase their processing capacity, the client required a robust and future-proof solution for the bulk storage of both raw, unprocessed liquid waste (leachate) and the treated water extracted during their recycling process.
The Challenge: A Complex Requirement with Logistical Hurdles
The project demanded more than a standard storage solution. Through close communication and a detailed on-site survey, our team identified a series of critical requirements:
- Future-Proof Capacity: To support their ambitious expansion plans, the client required two 200,000-litre tanks, providing a total of 400,000 litres of on-site storage.
- Bespoke Design: The two tanks needed to serve different functions. The raw waste tank required multiple top-side inlets strategically positioned to connect seamlessly with an existing inlet manifold. The processed water tank, in contrast, needed a series of low-level outlets to efficiently feed the client’s filtration plant.
- Site & Transport Constraints: The design had to meticulously account for the logistical challenges of transporting exceptionally large vessels to rural Cornwall and manoeuvring them within a limited on-site footprint.
The Solution: Collaborative Design and Precision Fabrication
Our engineering team developed a bespoke solution that addressed every client need. The two tanks were fabricated at our Lancashire-based facility, a process that utilised over 250 square metres of fabrication shop floor space and required more than 40 tonnes of high-grade steel plate.
Throughout the manufacturing process, rigorous non-destructive testing (NDT) and quality control checks were carried out to ensure absolute conformity and structural integrity. To guarantee longevity in a demanding environment, both tanks were finished in-house with a specialist, corrosive-resistant single-pack paint system. As a final touch, the client’s own livery was installed, branding the tanks as an integral part of their updated facility.
A Meticulous Journey: From Factory Acceptance to On-Site Delivery
Partnership and transparency were key to the project’s success. The client was invited to our premises to conduct a final Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), where they personally signed off on the build quality and oversaw the complex loading of the tanks onto their collection vehicles.
The journey south was a significant logistical operation in itself. Due to the tanks’ 4.1-metre overall width, the initial leg of the journey from our facility to the motorway network was carefully overseen by the Lancashire Constabulary. From there, a team of private escort vehicles managed the convoy down to the Cornish border, ensuring a safe and efficient delivery.
The Result: A Robust, Compliant, and Operationally-Ready System
Once the tanks were safely offloaded and positioned at the Cornwall site, our own engineers attended to complete the final installation. This involved fitting vital tank-top access ladders and perimeter safety handrails, ensuring the client’s team could safely access the manway lids for routine inspection and internal cleaning.
The successful delivery and installation of these bespoke tanks have provided our client with a robust, compliant, and highly efficient storage infrastructure. They are now perfectly positioned to handle increased operational capacity, secure in the knowledge that their facility is future-proofed for continued company growth. This project stands as a testament to UK Bunded Fuel Tanks’ ability to manage complex, end-to-end projects, from collaborative design to precision engineering and intricate logistical planning.
Managing leachate effectively is critical to the safety and compliance of any landfill operation. If you need a robust, custom-engineered leachate storage solution, contact our team today to discuss your project’s specific requirements.