Nestled 12 kilometres from Sydney’s CBD, Port Botany is one of Australia’s largest container ports, responsible for handling 99% of the state’s container demand. Contributing $3.7 billion annually to the state’s gross product, the port’s development plan establishes a clear vision for the environmental frameworks that guide its sustainable growth.
SPEL has a long track record in Port Botany with over 30 devices installed across the waterfront. Water quality objectives are a high priority to reduce local pollutant loads in the port, and SPEL is a proud custodian of these outcomes.
Supplying infrastructure to new developments in the site’s automated container handling facilities – SPEL designed hydrocarbon capture assets to meet environmental obligations on the site’s refuelling areas.
Preventing light liquid pollutants from reaching downstream drainage, waterways, and treatment devices, the Puraceptor was suited for this task with its capacity to contain oil spills and separate hydrocarbons from stormwater runoff – complemented by its 100-year design life, sustainability gains, and cost-effective maintenance.
Following the implementation of this sustainable asset in December 2022, SPEL will continue its work in helping to improve water quality outcomes across the port.
Local & Sustainable FRP Stormwater Devices
Manufactured to meet a 10-week production window at our Sydney FRP facilities (Fibre-Reinforced Polymer) – the Puraceptor is a sustainable homegrown product that meets the vital environmental specifications of this local flagship project.
Protecting local drainage networks, waterways, and surrounding environments, the Puraceptor is a full-retention separator device with guaranteed performance in all flow conditions. Coalescing and capturing light liquids, the Puraceptor discharges water with hydrocarbon content reduced below 5mg per litre – and ensures light liquids are captured during spills and heavy downpours.
The SPEL Puraceptor is designed to provide emergency containment capacity for on-site spills, and its flameproofing and automatic closure capabilities meet necessary environmental requirements on high-risk sites.
In challenging conditions, the device was installed within the water table in a sandy excavation. Installation was quick, facilitated by the device’s single-piece FRP design, prefabrication, and ready-for-installation delivery. This conveyed many benefits to the project timeline and minimised on-site costs & safety risks due to the open excavation.
Due to the Puraceptor’s FRP composition and lightweight characteristics, greenhouse gas emissions attributed to fabrication and freight were also reduced compared to traditional concrete alternatives. Aligning with local objectives for sustainable development, this stormwater infrastructure ticks the boxes of the port’s Sustainability Plan. It also supports a greener future for the area’s surrounding waterways and seaside.
