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Background:
The vessel M. V. Bran Sands
is operated by Stephenson Clarke Shipping on behalf of Northumbria
Water as an effluent
carrier.
The coal-tar epoxy coating applied
previously to deck heads (2500m²)
in effluent ballast tanks was
failing and needed to
be replaced.
Epo-chem™ RA 564M two-pack solvent-free,
moisture tolerant, epoxy glassflake material offered a one-
coat solution that
would provide a
guaranteed minimum 5-year maintenance free service, with life
expectancy in excess of
20 years.
Specification:
The following specification was utilised:
·
Wash down tank to remove surface contamination.
·
Grit blast to BS 7079 SA2½.
·
Clean out.
·
Stripe coat edges and welds.
·
Apply 1-coat Epo-chem™ RA 564M solvent-free, glassflake epoxy at 250um by
airless spray.
·
Inspect tank and touch up as required.
Application:
The duration of the contract
from start to completion was 9 days. The product was applied in a single
coat to the required
thickness,
unlike multi-coat
paint
system with additional problems of solvent
entrapment,
intercoating adhesion, problems, contamination etc.
Benefits:
· The
application was estimated to have saved at least 8 days of downtime,
increased access
and reduced manpower.
· Reduced
docking times compared to solvent based coatings
· The
product can cure underwater and therefore when there is a shortage of time,
it can be
put back into service
within a short space of time without any detrimental effect to the coating.
· Hot
work in adjacent tanks continued without disruption.
· Reduced
number of stripe coats as product has a very good edge coverage.
· Reduced
ventilation requirements to simple air movers rather than extraction units.
· No
requirement to dehumidify the tanks, as product is moisture tolerant.
· Improved
HS&E impact to client and applicator.
· Increase
flexibility for painting. No need to have a specific "window" to fit
around other trades.
For further information about
this and other solvent free tank lining systems please contact
Chemco International at:
Tel: +44 (0)
1236 606060, Fax: 01236 606070 or e-mail
sales@chemcoint.com |
