The history of using geomembranes in engineering stretches back approximately 60 years. The United States pioneered the use of geomembranes, followed by Italy, the former Soviet Union, and other nations. Today, geomembranes have evolved and found applications in various fields and industries such as water conservation, transportation, petrochemicals, construction, and more. One significant application of this material in the oil and petrochemical industry is constructing oil reservoirs with geomembranes.
If you’re eager to learn about the insulation process of an oil reservoir with geomembranes and the advantages of building one using this material, we recommend reading this article. In this article, Faranam Baspar delves deeper into these topics so you can find answers to all your questions. Therefore, stay with us until the end of the article from farnam baspar blog.
Benefits of constructing oil reservoirs with geomembranes As previously mentioned, one application of geomembranes in the oil industry is their use in constructing oil reservoirs. This effectively prevents water and hazardous materials from entering the reservoir, offering numerous benefits, some of which are highlighted below:
- The geomembrane, with its physical and chemical properties, effectively separates the subsurface from the reservoir.
- Being a seamless material, the geomembrane prevents air and water infiltration into the reservoir.
- It prevents the release of hazardous materials into the environment due to its excellent chemical resistance against microorganisms.
Steps for constructing oil reservoirs with geomembranes To construct an oil reservoir with a geomembrane, a subgrade layer is initially created as the substrate. Subsequently, the geomembrane sheet is laid in layers on top of it.
Once the sheet is in place, another layer consisting of various materials such as sand, gravel, or concrete is applied layer by layer on top of the sheet. Essentially, this layer acts as a protective barrier to prevent air and water infiltration into the reservoir.
Important considerations for welding oil reservoirs with geomembranes Several important considerations must be taken into account when welding oil reservoirs with geomembranes:
- Before commencing the welding process, a welding sample must be submitted to the client for testing.
- A minimum 15-centimeter joint connector should be utilized for welding cracks and seams.
- If pipes are being used, the material must be polyethylene, and then the area around it should be welded to the geomembrane sheet.
Insulating the bottom of oil reservoirs
Utilizing geomembranes for bottom insulation Another application of geomembrane sheets is in insulating the bottom of oil reservoirs. This is done to prevent water and gas penetration into the reservoir and enhance its stability and safety. For bottom insulation, a layer of various materials such as sand, gravel, or polymer is initially placed as the base.
Then, a geomembrane sheet is laid on top for constructing the oil reservoir and protecting it. However, geomembrane sheets are not the only option; concrete, textured stones, or polymer layers are also utilized in some projects. Generally, using geomembranes for reservoirs located in water or sandy and silty soils is more common. Moreover, this method can prevent an increase in the final costs.
Insulating oil and gas pipeline
The role of geomembranes in pipeline insulation The primary purpose of insulating oil and gas pipelines is to mitigate the effects of water and moisture on the quality of the pipes, as water can cause pipes to corrode and lead to oil and gas leakage. One of the methods employed for insulating oil and gas pipelines is the use of geomembrane sheets.
To utilize this method, the pipe surface is first cleaned, and then the geomembrane sheet is applied as insulation. Due to their physical and chemical properties, these sheets create a separation between the pipe and the external environment, thereby preventing water infiltration and pipe damage.
Insulating oil tanks: Using geomembranes for tank insulation Tanks are utilized for storing and transporting oil, necessitating protection against corrosion and moisture. Various methods such as paint coatings, epoxy, and polymer layers are employed for this purpose. However, one cost-effective method for insulating oil tanks, akin to constructing oil reservoirs with geomembranes, is the utilization of these types of sheets.