Background and Scope of Work
Vertellus, a producer of Castor Oil, ceased operations at its Bayonne, NJ plant, and wanted to have all outside storage tanks and process areas removed for permitting reasons. They also wanted to begin preparing the site for resale and redevelopment. Our project consisted of the dismantlement and demolition of (2) buildings which were used to manufacturer Castor Oil, a sebacic acid plant (mostly outside structure), (4) 250,000 gallon+ storage tanks near live power lines, (2) large outside tank farms with over 90 tanks, thousands of linear of piping, and (3) 150’ tall boiler stacks.
The owner attempted to drain and clean the plant, however, substantial materials remained in the equipment, tanks and piping. Furthermore, as a result of ceasing operations, the owner didn’t have the personnel resources required to complete the draining and cleaning. Phoenix was tasked with draining lines and capturing the resulting materials for disposal, cleaning tanks and equipment, asbestos abatement, and dismantlement.
Phoenix safely completed the required work in 4 months with a 10 man crew. We utilized (2) excavators with grapple/shear, bobcats, lulls, and cranes.
Tank and Equipment Cleaning
The 90+ outside tanks, and (4) 250,000 gallon + tanks, contained substantial product, residual materials and/or heels. Phoenix opened all vessels to test and identify quantities and materials. We then removed all liquid materials via a vacuum truck and cleaned where necessary. For tanks that had heels that could not be removed by a vacuum truck, we cleaned the top portion, and then cut the tanks down to the top of the heels. We then disposed of the remaining tanks with the heels in place, or removed the heels and scrapped the remaining tanks.
Demolition Permits and Tank Permits and Storm Water Control Plan
Phoenix obtained approximately 90 permits for the outside tank removal and 2 permits for the demolition of the buildings. The site owner performed the sewer and water disconnects, as well as electrical disconnects prior to our work. The plant is located on the water, and so it was critical to follow the storm water control plan the site had in place.