What is foam filling?
It typically refers to a specialist, resin-based foam such as RG22, and is used in decommissioning fuel tanks, i.e. taking them safely and permanently out of service.
This prevents ground contamination and ensures regulatory compliance, for example, with DEFRA or the Environment Agency.
It’s injected into the empty tank, from which any liquid fuel has already been cleared, before it expands to fill every corner of the space, absorbing any residual hydrocarbons and stopping explosive, flammable vapours from building up.
It’s particularly useful where tanks are underground or in tricky-to-access locations.
What are the benefits of foam filling?
This decommissioning method yields a number of advantages, including:
- It makes the tank inert, preventing the risk of an accidental explosion.
- The foam supports the structure of the tank once it hardens, meaning the ground won’t cave in should the old tank wall eventually deteriorate.
- Although concrete was traditionally used, foam offers a quicker process. You don’t need to clean the tank or degas it in advance.
- Because concrete filling is a permanent process, you can’t use the tank afterwards, or retrieve it later. Should you need to repurpose the unit or retrieve the space, with lightweight foam, you can.
- Foam-filling can be done on site, so there’s minimal disruption and no need for extensive excavation, hardscape restoration or to pause the work of your business. Foam is also ideal for tanks which can’t otherwise be removed safely.
What are the benefits for the environment?
Again, there are a number of these. With the foam method, no hazardous residual liquid run-off can seep into or contaminate the soil and groundwater around the tank, should it rust, since the rot-proof foam solidifies, encapsulating the inside of the tank.
Additionally, the foam doesn’t react with petroleum products.
Foam also absorbs any residual sludge, so there are no vapour emissions and any remaining hydrocarbons are neutralised. Equally, this stuff is resistant to inorganic solvents, so it retains its structural integrity.
Due to the minimal disruption mentioned above, you also safeguard established trees and ecosystems from unnecessary damage.
Foam-based fuel and oil tank decommissioning from LV Fuel Services
Is your domestic or commercial tank approaching the end of its operational life? You’ll need to decommission it and replace it with a new one.
Our OFTEC-trained team at LV Fuel Services can handle tanks of all sizes, removing them completely if necessary. And we use both RG22 foam and concrete methods to decommission tanks for our diverse client base.
After all, it’s what we do every day, so we’re industry experts.
We’ll visit your site for a thorough survey in the first instance and supply you with a quote before planning the job, removing all liquids and filling the tank with concrete or foam.
Read more about our foam filling and decommissioning services and get in touch with our expert specialist team to get the ball rolling – email info@lvfuelservices.co.uk or call 0800 799 9739.
