odor control, geodesic domes, sludge handling, floating covers, geotruss, tank roofs
Ultraflote Corporation, founded in 1972, is a Houston based, worldwide leader in the design, manufacture, and installation of the Ultraflote® Cover, an all aluminum Internal Floating Roof for hydrocarbon and petrochemical storage tanks. The expertise gained from thousands of successful installations was applied to the development of the Ultradome™, an all aluminum geodesic dome.
To complement the physical testing and evaluation of various structural details, several in-house computer programs which thoroughly analyze all stress conditions were developed. This produced two designs which incorporate a number of unique features that improve reliability, reduce maintenance, and extend the life of these domes: the Ultraflote Batten Design and the Ultraflote Lapped Design.
The Ultradome™ Batten Design is most appropriate for wastewater treatment tanks or sludge storage tanks where odor control or other air handling is involved. This design uses a batten bar to hold the panels and elastomer strips and silicone sealant to make a weather seal. One disadvantage of this design is that daily and seasonal temperature cycles and the sun's ultraviolet radiation age the elastomer, eventually creating leaks. The raised battens also create dams which collect water. In cold climates, these water puddles freeze, which accelerates the aging process of the elastomers.
To minimize these damaging effects, the Ultradome™ uses the "Quad Seal™" Enclosed Batten Seam. The design of the Quad Seal™ incorporates four (4) continuous solid silicone o-ring type cords, which are fully enclosed by the batten bar and are under uniform compression to ensure maximum sealing efficiency. The use of the highest quality silicone o-ring material and sealants in the Quad Seal™ helps produce the lowest profile batten bar in the industry. This keeps air and rainwater leaks well within acceptable limits for these applications, even after many years of service.
The Ultradome™ Lapped Design is more appropriate for leak-sensitive, non-pressurized applications, such as petroleum or potable water tanks, because it eliminates the need for rubber sealing strips and caulking compounds. Instead, the panels are downhill lapped and fastened with 300-series stainless steel screws equipped with weatherguard washers. The downhill laps rely on gravity to keep out water just like traditional roofing systems, thereby providing a longer service life.
Both versions of the Ultradome™ are fully triangulated, spherical, spaceframe structures that are self-supporting from its periphery with primary horizontal thrust contained by an integral tension ring. Each Ultradome™ is individually designed and engineered for a specific application. All components are prefabricated to exacting tolerances, and quality programs assure compliance with specifications.
Ultraflote Corporation, which operates on a worldwide basis with satisfied customers in more than seventy-five countries, maintains dual inventories to supply both versions of the Ultradome™. Call or write for more information or for the name of your nearest representative.