Smart fabric technology was used to construct a secondary oil containment system on the tailrace deck of the Big Bend Dam operated by the U.S. army Corps of Engineers on the Missouri River.

To provide continuous protection against catastrophic oil spills and prevent hydrocarbons from being discharged into the river, the agency selected the SorbWeb™ Plus system developed by Albarrie GeoComposites Ltd. of Canada. The passive oil containment system incorporates two unique geotextiles which allow water to pass through freely. One layer is designed to manage chronic leaks while the other seals on contact with oil preventing any hydrocarbons from escaping the oil containment.Oil containment around a transformer. Source: Albarrie GeoComposites Ltd.

The oil containment system was installed in the lower section of each of four (4) three-phase transformer vaults located on the tailrace deck. . A curb was placed on the downstream side of the powerhouse to provide enough containment to hold all of the transformer oil and a 25-year 24-hour (4.25”) storm event. An oil absorbing mat placed within the containment will collect small chronic leaks and protect the life of the SorbWeb™Plus passive system (see video).

The two station service transformers and one delta feeder transformer located on the tailrace deck received similar treatment.

Fire quenching stone was placed on top of the containment system to help extinguish puddle fires. In the event of a catastrophic oil failure, the passive SorbWeb™Plus system will solidify and create a water-tight barrier inside the vault. This will prevent any hydrocarbons from reaching the drain and being discharged into the river.