SPEL DrainGuard™

SPEL DrainGuard provides protection for both oil spillage and fire should an oil filled transformer rupture. The spilt oil is directed quickly to the SPEL underground tank where the oil sensitive pumps cut out, capturing the spill and reducing the fire risk. DrainGuard also comes as an ‘in-bund’ system, where the oil-sensitive pumps are located in a sump, this relies on the bund as the spill containment which increases the fire risk and vunerability of the entire substation. Both systems are designed to pump away rain water in normal circumstances and will require an oil separator located downstream to capture the smaller drips and drops of oil.  

SPEL Drainguard Bund Control System

Product Range

H Series | Horizontal Tanks

 

200 Series

(1.2m inside diameter):

1,000 – 10,000L capacity

 

300 Series

(1.8m inside diameter):

4,000 – 40,000L capacity

 

400 Series

(2.6m inside diameter):

13,650 – 100,000L capacity

 

500 Series

(3.5m inside diameter):

60,000 – 200,000L capacity

 

600 Series

(4.0m inside diameter):

100,000 – 300,000L capacity

Applications

  • Transformer Bunds/Platforms
  • Oil Storage Facilities
  • Oil Handling
  • Other Bunded Oil Areas

Shell Design

Designed with reference to BS EN 13121. All tank shells carry the SPEL 25 Year Warranty and life expectancy in excess of 50 years.

Shell Specifications

Different tank shell specifications are available dependent upon tank invert levels, ground conditions and ground water levels. (See Installation Guidance section)

Inlet/Outlet Connections

Pipe connections available to accommodate most standard sizes.

Rainwater is directed from the transformer platform to the SPEL DrainGuard tank, here float switches monitor liquid levels in the tank and automatically activate the submersible pumps to remove rainwater once it has accumulated. An electronic capacitance probe senses the presence of oil and stops the pumps, ensuring the oil spill is captured (tanks are sized to 110% of the spill risk). The unit incorporates an anti-syphoning device to ensure hydrocarbons retained within the tank cannot, through static head pressure, pass out of the tank.

The key benefit of the SPEL DrainGuard system is the dramatic reduction of fire risk in the event of a catastrophic oil leak from the transformer. Due to the high operating temperature of transformers and the low flash point of mineral oil, the fire risk is high if oil is left in an open bund, DrainGuard stores this flammable fluid underground.

The system control panel is IP66 rated for external mounting and incorporates the alarm system which will activate in the event of the following:

  • Oil detection
  • High liquid level
  • Pump failure
  • Power failure

The digital display on the control panel provides visual information and warnings, there is also volt free (normally closed) contacts available, providing remote indication of alarm/system status. Controls and pumps can be supplied to operate with either 230 volt single phase or 400 volt 3 phase supplies.

The submersible pumps are ATEX rated and sized to suit the required duty. Mechanical oil filled seals ensure long trouble free operation. 

SPEL DrainGuard is available in both a tank based system as described above and also as a bund based system as below.

SPEL DrainGuard (Bund System)

System Operation and Control The SPEL DrainGuard Bund System is a robust and efficient unit to remove bund water from bunded areas whilst safeguarding against the release of hydrocarbons using the latest conductivity controls and technology.
Bunds act as a secondary containment and are used as a second line of defence, preventing oil from reaching the drainage system, but they also collect rainwater which needs to be discharged safely which is where the SPEL DrainGuard system provides the solution.
Bunds should be designed to hold a minimum of 110% of the maximum capacity of the largest transformer or tank, and incorporate a sump at the lowest point which is where the SPEL system will be located. The SPEL system is designed to pump accumulated rainwater from the sump, over the bund wall, to a suitable drain point but will detect accumulations of oil and shut down the pump so as to contain the oil within the bund area.
Whilst this system is simple and cost effective to install, it has a high fire risk should a transformer rupture, this is due to the high operating temperature and low flash point combination which can result in total destruction of the sub station. If this is of concern, please refer to the tank based system on the previous page, where the oil is contained in an underground SPEL tank.

SPEL DrainGuard Bund System complete with single phase power cable and discharge hose.

Below are images of both systems, together with the list of benefits to assist in choosing the correct system.

Tank-Based

  • Fire risk reduction
  • Little or no bund required
  • Ease of access to transformer platform
  • Large capacity – up to 300,000L in a single tank
  • The SPEL 25 Year Tank Shell Warranty
  • In excess of 50 year life expectancy

Bund-Based

  • Low initial cost
  • Ease of maintenance
  • Low installation costs
  • Simple operation
  • Stainless steel construction for durability

For more information on commissioning and servicing your SPEL DrainGuard System, contact our team:
engineers@spelproducts.co.uk

Request A Quotation

For further information phone our sales hotline 01743 457977 or email sales@spelproducts.co.uk

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