Iluka Minerals Process Water Tank

Built in 1970 with a capacity of 1.4 million liters, the tank is 25 meters wide, 3 meters high and is constructed with steel walls and a concrete foundation. The tank had become unserviceable due to corrosion around the base. Faced with the prospect of a $1.2 million replacement cost, consulting engineer John Montgomery worked closely with Iluka Engineers to develop a strategy for the rehabilitation of the tank which is located at Iluka’s Geraldton, Western Australia facility. Forty-five cubic meters of Admix-treated shotcrete was sprayed up against the existing metal walls and approximately 100 lineal meters of a special waterstop wasplaced at the floor wall intersection. On completion of the repairs, the tank was filled and while initially there were a number of minor leaks, these reduced to zero within 10-14 days as the Xypex crystalline development took place. The structure is now fully ‘returned to service’ and remains watertight. The ultimate result of this collaboration was that through the use of Xypex Admix there was a savings of approximately $900,000, reduced down time of 14 days and an extended service life.