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Product descriptionVACONODOME - Aluminium geodesic dome roofs used for the covering of cylindrical open structures of up to 120 m diameter in the petroleum industry, the water treatment sector and for architectural purposes. They are mostly applied in refineries and tank farms, where both the storage product and the structural tank components must be protected from atmospheric and environmental influences. VACONO combines ecological aspects with economic benefits as it prevents the contamination of the storage product by e.g. rainwater, sand and other foreign matters, and reduces evaporation loss caused by wind or direct exposure to sunlight. BenefitsSelf-supporting aluminium geodesic dome roofs for cylindrical storage
tanks, water tanks and settling pits up to 120 m diameter. Self-supporting aluminium dome roof VACONODOME is designed as a self-supporting dome roof where only its outer edge is connected to the tank shell around the outer rim. Central struts, which would have to pass through erected floating roofs or decks and diminish the efficiency of the system, are no longer required. Result: reduction of evaporation loss due to the constructional design. The weight of the VACONODOME is only 10-15% of a comparable, self-supporting steel roof. The system therefore offers a cost-optimised solution by saving the weight of the tank cover and is also suitable for the retrofitting of existing floating roof tanks, which are designed to function without a steel roof, into fixed roof tanks. The storage product is thus completely protected from contamination by rainwater, a malfunctioning of the floating deck drainage system is eliminated. For the building of a new tank, the light weight of the VACONODOME allows a saving in expenditure for the foundations as well as the tank shell. Use the know-how of our experienced engineers during the planning stage. All structural components of the VACONODOME are fabricated from highly-tensile aluminium alloys and possess excellent corrosion-resistant features. An additional protective coating is not required, even after decades of operation, as our aluminium constructions are characterised by an extremely long service life. These features are derived from our track record covering more than 100 years of aluminium production and processing and the continuous further development of the single structural components. For example, this is reflected by the customary selection of aluminised fasteners which exhibit an excellent resistance to corrosion, especially in an aggressive humid or saline atmosphere. These characteristics have been confirmed in the course of numerous tests in cooperation with internationally accepted research departments of the aluminium industry. The VACONODOME is designed as a modular system, the prefabricated single parts are delivered to the site designated and ready for on-site erection in accordance with the installation documents. Welding work is not necessarily required as the roof can be mounted to the tank by means of bolt connections. This means that an external floating roof tank can be retrofitted to form a fixed roof tank, without taking the tank out of operation. As a consequence of the simple, well-developed design, the VACONODOME aluminium construction can be erected very quickly by local crews, without the demand for specially trained personnel. Our specialists can supervise the on-site erection worldwide, if this is required. Structure and erectionThe VACONODOME is designed as a three-dimensional spatial trussed structure and consists of a supporting structure which is mostly composed of specially developed torsional-stiff aluminium extruded profiles that are jointed and connected in the nodes via high tensile lockbolts. The enclosed triangular areas are closed with 1.2 mm thick aluminium sheets via a clamp fastening. The applied clamp bars as well as the gusset covers used to protect the hubs are equipped with a sealing system made of EPDM, which exhibits an excellent weather-, UV- and ozone resistance and can be used within a temperature range of at least -35° to +90°C. All structural components are prefabricated by VACONO in Rheinfelden and delivered together with the necessary installation documents. The total product documentation comprises amongst others the customised drawings as well as a comprehensive static calculation which is required for the acceptance test. Hoisting methodsDue to the modular design of the system, the VACONODOME can be assembled beside or inside the tank which is to be covered, at the bottom of the tank or on an existing floating roof. The hoisting and erection of the roof is carried out by means of a mobile crane. Larger roofs are erected by special lifting gear. If installed on a floating roof, the dome can be installed by filling the tank with water. StandardsThe VACONODOME is designed and fabricated in compliance with the national and international industrial standards recommended for the petroleum industry or chemical industry and erected on site. Great significance is paid to the American API 650 standard which is accepted in most countries all over the world. The standard gives recommendations for the constructive design and the building of aluminium geodesic dome roofs as weather-resistant roofs for storage tanks within the petroleum industrial sector covering safety-relevant and structural-mechanical aspects in a separate appendix (Appendix G). The latest European (Eurocode) as well as the local valid industrial standards are of course complied within the scope of the structural calculations. AccessoriesIf required by the customer, installations, components and additional accessories can be fitted to the dome to ensure an optimal functioning of the entire tank construction. |
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