FRP WINS THE RESPECT OF THE ENGINEERS, CONTRACTORS AND OPERATORS AT MEXICOS ALTAMIRA COMPLEX

By Ing. Francisco Sinz I.

Altamiras Complex is formed by The Shell LNG terminal and Altamira 3,4 and 5 Power plants.

BASIC OPERATION
Tanker Ship arrives with liquid gas at - 160 C. Storage of the LNG in double wall tanks. Change from LNG to NG at the ORVs using seawater as a heat source. Supply to the Mexicos NG transmission where the 2 new Power Plants are connected. At the Power Plant the Seawater is used to condensate exhausted steam from Turbines.

These are believed to be the largest LNG storage tanks in the world of its kind.

A view of the storage tanks and the ORVs in process of construction

Drags working to prepare the new dock for the first LNG terminal in Mexico

MAIN VARIABLES
Internal Pressure: External Pressure: Abrasion Design Temperature 35 C. Soil Traction. Settlements. Field Adjustments. 5.4 bar (80 psi). Soil load, Traffic load, Flooded soil. Rock, Tides, Full Vacuum. Particles up to 3 mm.

A model of the intake pumps using 54 dia. FRP pipe

Stress analysis of the intake pumps and concrete block to hold pipe in place

54 dia. mitered elbows being installed in the pump station

Valves, pipe reducers,supports,controls under hydro test.

26 FRP risers modeled for ORV building

Complete ORV building with 72 diam. underground line connected to the 26 diam. risers

Ribs modeled to produce traction between pipe and soil(no loads allowed against ORVs)

Spring water coming from the trench

Soil being compacted to give proper support to the pipe

ORVs risers under hydro test(8 bars)

The 3 amigos

70 mils Abrasion Protection using Aluminum oxide

Concrete box to reduce fluid velocity and sea diffuser on the outfall area.

Scale model to analize fluid behavior

Finite element analysis of The special T structure under different plant flows

Stress concentration because of low flow(cascade) on concrete box

Scale Model of Outfall Diffuser

Rock Blocks to hold pipe in place for 72 diameter diffuser

Diffuser under Hydro-test

FRP pipe with ribs to stand 1600 kgs/m2 of rock

42 headers covered with rock and concrete box with sleeve at the bottom

Altamira V Power plant (72 Pumps Deck)

 Site Adjustments

View of Cooling tower pipe risers

Pumps and Cooling Tower

Obra de Toma (Make Up Water) stress analysis

Obra de Toma (Make Up Water) pipe in operation (5.4 bar)

Concrete Block to hold thrust displacements

Condensator Pipes under hydro test

Condensator pipe in operation

WHY FRP GAINED RESPECT.....

Carbon Steel High End SS Concrete Not at option because of chlorides. High Cost. - Allows marine growth - Heavy increasing installation cost - Cracks at very low levels of strain - Low strength and low Modulus - Not practical to stiffen - Pipe must be Thick to withstand external loads - Field modifications and repairs really difficult

Polyethylene

WHY FRP GAINED RESPECT.....

Can be reinforced against abrasion at located points with a minimun extra cost. Minimun marine growth Lighter in weight than concrete or PE in this application Stronger and stiffer than PE Very easy to add hoop ring stiffeners for external loads or vacuum Very easy to repair or modify in the field Correction for design errors and construction mistakes are easily accomplished. Tolerates more deflection than concrete or high thickness PE