Storms in July 2018 flooded a refinery’s combination unit, oil-water separator, roadside drainage ditches, and the laydown yard where a new processing unit was being constructed on a tight schedule.
In the combo unit, up to 8 inches of standing water posed operational safety concerns, and standing water in ditches caused condensation inside steam pipes, resulting in pressure drops that reduced process efficiency. The refinery asked Barr to develop emergency flood-mitigation measures to divert standing water from the combo unit and laydown yard until we could design a permanent stormwater-management solution.
Within a week of receiving notice to proceed, we had made multiple visits to the refinery; designed two temporary lift stations and associated outlet works; developed an O&M plan for ditches; and secured a commitment from a vendor to deliver and install pumps and fittings that met our specifications.
Having dozens of qualified engineers allowed Barr to provide immediate assistance, and their expertise enabled the fast-track design of a reliable solution despite dual constraints: the site’s limited stormwater-conveyance capacity and the client’s special request for electric rather than diesel-powered pumps.
Barr is currently leading the design of a permanent stormwater-management solution, which comprises the combination of a lift station, open-channel flow, and additional stormwater storage. The project is still in the feasibility phase; construction is expected to begin in mid-2024.