CovePoint Station Project Profile

CovePoint Station

Location: Lusby, MD
Application: AERLITE low density cellular concrete

Background Information

As the primary natural gas supplier in Virginia and the surrounding area, Dominion Energy prioritizes the safe and effective storage and transfer of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) it supplies to its customers. Dominion stores its LNG in various transfer stations throughout the southeastern United States; at each of these stations, avoiding spills and minimizing the vaporization of LNG if a spill occurs are critical. Both of these considerations were essential factors in the construction of Dominion’s CovePoint station in Lusby, Maryland.

Project Details

The materials used in the construction of this station’s emergency spill containment area were of vital importance both to this project and to the safety of the Dominion employees working onsite, not to mention the safety of the surrounding community. The material used in the containment area needed to promote efficient cleanup of any spills while also reducing the potential for LNG vaporization. Because of these considerations, the chosen installer, CJ Geo, decided to use Aerix’s AERLITETM non-pervious low density cellular concrete (LDCC) when constructing the floor of the containment area.

Over a period of eight days, the three-person installation crew from CJ Geo installed 600 cubic yards of the AERLITE LDCC at a thickness of three to four inches over the entire containment area. The crew secured the 45-pcf AERLITE using percussive driven earth anchors to prevent any uplift in the event of a spill.

Aerix Added Value

Aerix’s AERLITE provided a critical benefit to this unique project. Because it acts as an insulator, AERLITE LDCC was the ideal choice for use on the floor of this spill containment area as it naturally slows down the vaporization of LNG. Decelerating the vaporization of LNG mitigates the negative effects that can occur with the vaporization, such as the threat of asphyxiation. At Dominion’s CovePoint station, AERLITE is not simply a high-performance concrete, it is a
vital component in the safety of the surrounding community and environment.