Background

This site which is the largest rare earth extraction plant in the world, was set up for the development of a minerals and chemical processing plant, for production of lanthanide products in Gebeng, Pahang state, Malaysia. Lynas has been developing this project since 2000. An initial feasibility study showed the original plant to be located in Western Australia. However due to project economics the plant location was moved to Zibo, Shandong, China. The basic design was commenced by two Chinese design institutes, one for each plant. The basic design was 90% complete when Lynas made the decision to change the location to Malaysia and award the project to Ranhill Worley Parsons.

Environmental Conditions

The extraction procedure requires a chemical process using atmospheric leach technologies. The processed slurry has signifcant erosive qualities. Each tank is a large concrete structure. The project is in a location with heavy rainfall and high humidity.

Corrosion Protection

Constant exposure to the surface by corrosive media meant a high quality lining system had to be used, to adhere to the life span of the project. This lining system as well as resisting corrosion, had to withstand high erosion and maintain suffcient protection.

System

A vinly ester FRP and acid proof brick and tile lining system, bedded and jointed with vinyl ester mortar was used, along with a liquid moisture barrier system for the concrete floor areas. The vinyl ester lining system is based on epoxy vinyl ester polymers, reinforced with a glass fbre cloth. This multi layered system consists of a primer, a trowelled base coat and a 2 or 3 ply glass laminate layered matrix, followed by a waxed, coloured or clear top coat. The lining cures rapidly to provide a hard dense protective barrier against a host of highly aggressive chemicals.

Project Details

Location	Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
Project	Lynas LampsUp-MY  Project, Tank Lining
Owner	Lynas Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
EPC	Toyo-Thai Corporation Public Company Limited
Date	2013
Work	Concrete Tanks, Concrete, Steel Lids
System	Vinyl Ester FRP, Acid Proof Brick
Area	7,450 m2
Value	US$ 1,680,000