Innovation – Australia’s First Air Dome Cell Cover at Sandy Ridge
- Tellus is planning to build Australia’s first innovative air dome cell cover at Sandy Ridge
- Air domes are commonly used internationally in sporting, industrial and construction sectors
- Air domes enhances productivity by allowing all weather use
- Air domes improve the safety case
Tellus Holdings Ltd (“Tellus”) is pleased to announce the Company is planning to build Australia’s first innovative air dome cell cover at Sandy Ridge. Following a global search for best practice solutions and a service provider, Tellus is pleased to be working with the United States based Arizon Building Systems (“Arizon”) on a customised solution.
Air domes are well established building solutions which are commonly used in Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East to cover big, clear spans while offering complete weather protection.
The Challenge
- Even though the site is in a semi-arid region, Tellus wanted a cost-effective building solution to completely cover a waste cell at Sandy Ridge to allow all weather operations.
- The structure needed to be easily relocatable as the operations progress over time.
Fig 1: Artist impression of air dome (internal view)
The Innovation
- Install a 16,500m2 air supported fabric structure over the waste cell that features:
- A high-efficiency air rotation system to optimise operating conditions within the dome and minimise operating costs.
- A vehicle airlock entryway to enable workers and equipment to transport waste into the dome safely and efficiently.
Fig 2: Artist impression of air dome (external view)
The Benefits
- Controlled ventilation management improves air quality and ensures the health and safety of staff operating in the cell through active monitoring.
- Air domes enhance productivity due to all weather use.
- Shorter delivery timeframes compared to steel structures de-risks construction schedule.
- Less people required to move air dome compared to steel frame.
- Lower upfront capital costs optimise project economics.
- Shorter relocation times reduces operational downtime.
Fig 3: Examples of air dome projects internationally
The technology is extremely versatile and is used for construction, industrial and government projects. The fabric air dome is supported by high efficiency air rotation units which can be modularised for rapid assembly and relocation. The air rotation and filtration technology is used globally in large span manufacturing, warehousing and distribution facilities.
Following a global search, the Tellus management team has been working closely with the Arizon team to develop the optimal solution for Sandy Ridge. Arizon has been the leading provider of modular, and custom air-rotation equipment for manufacturing, warehousing and distribution facilities, for close to 100 years. Arizon is a leading air dome manufacturer employing over 200 people. Tellus visited Arizon at its offices and manufacturing facilities in St Louis, Missouri, USA in late 2017.
Fig 4: Tellus management team’s visit to Arizon offices and manufacturing facilities in USA
About Arizon Building Systems:
Arizon Building Systems is part of the Arizon Family of Brands, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Arizon dates to 1921 with the founding of Johnson Heater Co., which is now known as Johnson Air-Rotation HVAC Systems. Additional HVAC brands under the Arizon umbrella include MarCraft Custom HVAC Systems and Arizon Makeup Air Systems. Arizon Building Systems has production facilities in Maryland Heights, Missouri and Granite City, Illinois within the greater Saint Louis area.
About Tellus Holdings:
Tellus Holdings Ltd (“Tellus”) is an infrastructure development company in the business of creating economic, social and environmental value from waste, clay and salt resources. This dual revenue model involves mining the commodities kaolin clay and rock salt in thick dry remote beds which creates world’s best practice geological repositories. The voids created by mining are then used to store equipment, archives and waste using a multi- barrier system as part of an integrated safety case. Tellus plans to permanently isolate hazardous waste using environmentally sound management (ESM) principles that protect the environment and human health. Tellus also uses long-term storage that supports the circular economy by placing like-with-like materials for operational safety reasons and to create opportunities for the future recovery of valuable materials. Tellus’ business model mirrors overseas solutions operating in the UK, Europe and North America. Tellus is developing the proposed Sandy Ridge facility in Western Australia (WA) and the proposed Chandler facility in the Northern Territory (NT). Both Sandy Ridge and Chandler were awarded Major Project Facilitation Service by the Australian Government and Chandler was awarded Major Project Status by the NT Government.
For further information:
Visit: www.tellusholdings.com.au or contact:
Duncan van der Merwe
Managing Director
Tel: +61 (0)2 8257 3395
Cameron Morse
FTI Consulting (Media)
Tel: +61 (0)8 9485 8888
