Chemco Solve Deck Steam Pipe Coating Problem

Finding a suitable coating system which can provide long-term maintenance-free corrosion protection for deck steam pipes in the Marine Industry has long been a major problem for all ship owners. Although they take up little space onboard, they are of vital importance to ship operations. They have a unique environment of operating at high temperature whilst being exposed to a hot saltwater atmosphere and UV attack.

Over the years many systems have been tested and have failed with no long-term solution being found. The majority of conventional paint systems which have been utilized only offer a short-term solution and regularly require to be recoated.

However, Chemco have now found a solution to this problem through the use of its innovative wet & rust tolerant product Epo-chem™ RL 500PF which offers long-term maintenance-free protection. This unique system can be applied and can operate at temperatures up to 150°C; far beyond the capabilities of other ‘surface tolerant’ epoxies. RL 500PF has excellent thermal expansion and contraction capabilities, a factor which along with the heat, causes most conventional paint systems to fail.

Almost all major shipping companies have begun to utilize this revolutionary coating system as the product to coat their deck steam pipes.

Deck Steam Pipe Replacement Project

The deck steam pipes onboard a crude oil tanker were suffering from severe corrosion and required to be renewed.

Conventional paint systems applied to steam pipes in the majority of applications blister, crack or become heavily corroded. The client was looking for a system which could operate at high temperatures and provide long-term maintenance-free protection.

They were also looking for a system which could be applied on hot surfaces without operational shutdown for future maintenance work. Grit blasting was not permissible; therefore water jetting was to be utilized. This was followed by two coats of Epo-chem™ RL 500PF.

The project was completed within the given time frame with no major delays. The following additional benefits were achieved by utilizing RL 500PF:

• No grit blasting requirements

• Can be applied and operate at 150°C

• No operational shutdown required for future maintenance work

• Long-term maintenance-free protection

• No over coating limitations

• No humidity or dew point restrictions

• Applicable to sweating substrate

 

Condition of Old Steam Pipes

Newly Coated Steam Pipes