Pre-Cast Wastewater Tank In Brazil Gets Penetron Treatment For Durability

East Setauket, NY (PRWEB) - By the end of 2020, the 2nd phase of construction at the Klabin Puma wood pulp plant in Ortigueira (Paraná), Brazil was completed. A new wastewater treatment plant was added to the facility. PENETRON ADMIX was used to waterproof the massive pre-cast concrete elements of the treatment tank.

The Klabin Puma facility in Ortigueira is the 3rd largest cellulose and paper plant** in the world. The facility’s newly completed wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) also comprises Latin America's largest pre-cast concrete tank. With a 121 m (400 feet) diameter, the tank walls consist of massive concrete slabs 9 m (30 feet) tall, 2.15 m (>7 feet) wide and 33 cm (>1 foot) thick, secured with parallel fixed pre-tension cables.

Cláudio Neves Ourives, General Manager of Penetron Brazil explains, “A robust concrete waterproofing solution was needed to ensure the pre-cast elements would remain impermeable to the aggressive chemicals found in the effluent of the treatment plant as well as the high groundwater levels surrounding the construction site.”

How to Waterproof Massive Pre-Cast Elements
The experts at Penetron Brazil collaborated with the builder, Construtora Tucumã, to propose a durable solution. PENETRON ADMIX was added to treat the concrete used in each of the pre-cast concrete elements. Over 1,500 m3 (1,965 cubic yards) of concrete was treated with PENETRON ADMIX. PENEBAR SW swellable waterstop strips were used to completely seal all joints between each element to provide a seamless level of protection.

Protection from Concrete Deterioration
Once added to the concrete mix, the active ingredients in PENETRON ADMIX react to moisture to generate a non-soluble crystalline formation throughout the entire concrete matrix. This crystalline network permanently seals microcracks, pores and capillaries against the penetration of water or water-soluble corrosive chemicals from any direction, protecting the concrete and embedded reinforcing and tension cables from deterioration, even under the harsh environmental conditions of the Ortigueira WWTP.

“Because Penetron’s crystalline technology becomes an integral part of the concrete matrix and provides protection against corrosion and chemical attack, it also significantly reduces any future maintenance costs,” adds Cláudio Neves Ourives.

**See our report on the Puma I project from October 2, 2017: “Klabin Picks Penetron for Concrete Durability.”

The Penetron Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global network, offering support to the design and construction community through its regional offices, representatives and distribution channels.

For more information on Penetron waterproofing solutions, please visit penetron(dot)com or Facebook(dot)com/ThePenetronGroup, email CRDept(at)penetron(dot)com.