wastewater

water &
wastewater
market
PETERBOROUGH LIFT LOCK
CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Project Name: Peterborough Lift Locks
Application: Summer of 2004
Products Used: Zinc Primer, Rustbond Penetrating Sealer, Carbothane 133 HB, Carboguard 561 LT
Surface Prep: Inside of the tubs sandblasted SP10, Outside of the tubs water blasted
The Peterborough Lift Locks are still the highest of its type in the
world, and the first and only historic mechanical engineering
designated landmark in Canada. The lock officially opened on July 9,
1904. It took seven years of construction.
The sheer mass of the lift lock is breathtaking. The three 30 metre
towers, built on bedrock, are eight metres by 10 metres thick at their
widest point. The breast wall is 24 metres high and 12 metres thick,
with a base length of 38 metres, and incorporates the Hunter Street
tunnel within its structure.
The boat chambers are 43 metres long and 10 metres wide, with a
depth of two metres and allowance for an additional 30 centimeters of
water. Each chamber, with water, weighs 1.5 million kilograms, and
holds 1,040 cubic metres of water. The extra 30 cm of water adds
130 tonnes. The Chamber is a large watertight box, each end of
which is closed by a gate. A lockage is performed by allowing a boat
to enter the chamber, then closing the chamber gate.
The hydraulic lift lock operates with two chambers, side by side,
connected through a closed water hydraulic system. One is lowered
as the other is raised. The chambers sit on immense hydraulic rams,
2.3 metres in diameter, and 20 metres high.
Movement in one chamber causes an equal and opposite movement
in the other. When the transfer is underway, the upper chamber is
stopped below the level of the upper canal, which allows the intake of
an additional 30 centimeters of water. Once boats are in the lock and
the gates closed, the valve is opened. The heavier chamber
descends, forcing the lower chamber to ascend.
www.carboline.ca | 877.393.3303
water &
wastewater
market
PETERBOROUGH LIFT LOCK
CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Project Name: Peterborough Lift Lock
The Carboline’s involvement as a preferred supplier with the coating of
the Peterborough Lift Lock goes back more than 40 years. During this
time, Carboline systems have provided superior corrosion protection to
both the immersed and exterior surfaces of the steel that comprises
the “tubs” and structural steel members.
The first time that Carboline systems were used was during the major
renovation project in 1964. At the time, all the exterior and interior
surfaces were sandblasted and a zinc primer based system was
installed on the exterior steelwork. The same zinc based system was
water blasted and re-coated in 1982. After 40 years in service, the
same zinc primer that was installed in the 60’s was again water
blasted and overcoated with Rustbond Penetrating Sealer (an epoxy
primer) and topcoated with Carbothane 133HB (a low gloss
polyurethane).
Carboline coatings have also provided an average of 20 years of
service in the immersed areas of the tubs. In 2004, Carboguard 561 LT
(an immersion grade, low temperature epoxy) was applied after the
steel was dry abrasive blasted using automated blasting equipment.
As the Peterborough Lift Locks continue to withstand the test of time
as one of the most remarkable engineering projects in North America,
Carboline continues its tradition of uncompromised, long term corrosion
protection. The Peterborough Lift Locks are another example of our
proven, time tested technologies.
By: Pedro A. Escudero, B. Eng., M.B.A.
Coating Specialist
www.carboline.ca | 877.393.3303