Lime Softener No. 2 at Fort Pierce Utility Authority’s (FPUA) water treatment plant was nearly 35 years old and in need of significant rehabilitation. Globaltech had successfully refurbished the plant’s other lime softener (No. 1) two years earlier. With Softener No. 1 running at full capacity, No. 2 could now be taken down for rehabilitation—and Globaltech was again selected to be the design-build contractor.
The 10 MGD Softener No. 2 consisted of steel-skirt Accelator internals located in a circular steel tank. Specific items that were replaced included:
- New gearbox and drive
- New 30 HP variable-speed motor
- New recirculation and blow down pumps
- New potable water service station
- New spray wash piping and nozzles
- New electrical and controls
Globaltech replaced and/or reinforced large sections of the steel walls; replaced all the radial launders; made large-diameter influent, discharge and drain piping modifications, and completely replaced all small diameter water and chemical lines. We also installed a concrete trench for running chemical lines, and installed a new 4-foot-square exterior opening that required significant plate-reinforcing of the exterior wall.
Project Achievements / Benefits
- During the course of construction, it was determined that the existing tank drain line was incorrectly piped, and it had to be corrected immediately in order to keep the plant producing water. Globaltech placed an emergency order for the materials and performed the repair work during an overnight shutdown to meet the Owner’s schedule.
- After repairing deteriorated portions of the steel structures, Globaltech performed abrasive blasting and coating with an NSF 61 epoxy. All blasting and painting operations were tented to protect adjacent facilities.
