Insulating Tank Coatings

THE PROBLEM

Our client had not been able to successfully insulate their tanks and process vessels due to the shape of the vessels and the service of the work environment. Conventional insultation is easily saturated in wet environments which can lead to corrosion under insulation.

SOLUTION

We proposed the application of Mascoat DTI to effectively insulate the tanks and also provide a protective coating.

Initially heavy corrosion and failed coatings were removed mechanically using vibration damped breakers and needle guns.

All mild steel tank braces were prepared to SA2.5 as per ISO8051-1 by method of low dust sponge blasting. This was particularly suitable as two of the tanks were inside the clients factory and conventional abrasive blasting would have produced too much airborne dust.

More information on this technology can be found below;

The reason that the steel had to be prepared to a high standard is that at elevated operating temperatures the highest standard of surface preparation are required due to the stresses that are imparted upon the coating. Blast profile checks were undertaken using surface profile needle gauges and surface cleanliness tests in terms of soluble salts

All mild steel elements of the tanks were primed using Chemco RL500PF applied by method of brush and roller to a thickness of 100 microns.

All stainless steel surfaces to be coated were cleaned by method of high pressure washing using a 5,000 psi spinning jet. Surface cleanliness was again confirmed by conducting dust tape tests and soluble salt tests.

Mascoat DTI was applied in 4 coats, in alternating colours between coats as per best coating practice. The total dry film thickness achieved was in excess of 2mm as per Mascoat’s recommendations.

Mascaot was applied with the vessels live – which ensured the correct climatic conditions despite the works being undertaken in winter. A scaffold shelter was required for the external tank, but no other heating or dehumidification was required.

What are the benefits of Mascoat insulating coatings compared to conventional insulation;