CASE STUDY
Pipeline Internals
OVERVIEW
The internal surface of the water intake pipelines (over 770m), located at the Storr Lochs Power Station, had to be refurbished as the existing bitumen coating was suffering from corrosion and abrasion damage. The client was looking for an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution.
This project was carried out by Wood Group.
CHALLENGE
Grit blasting was adjudged to be too expensive and impractical; therefore by utilising an innovative combination of water jetting and Chemco’s unique solvent-free, wet & rust tolerant technology, the whole project could be completed in the most cost-effective, safe and convenient manner. There were no manholes located along the confined pipeline for ventilation control and certain sections were situated on a steep incline. This added major difficulty to access and application. The new coating system also had to have good abrasion resistance and a smooth finish to improve water flow efficiency.
SOLUTION
HP water jetting using a robotic aid to WJ-3 standard was utilised as the surface preparation method. A ‘cradle system’ was installed to support the applicator on the gradient of the pipeline. One stripe coat and one primer coat of solvent-free, wet & rust tolerant epoxy Epo-chem™ RS 500P was applied. This was followed by one stripe coat and one topcoat of solvent-free, wet tolerant, glassflake epoxy Epo-chem™ RA 500M.
OUTCOME
Substantial time and cost savings were achieved by utilising this revolutionary solution offered by these unique products and application techniques. Furthermore, the applicators were extremely satisfied to work with a solvent-free coating system which was ideal for application in confined spaces and significantly reduced H&S and Fire Hazard.
BENEFITS
• Solvent-free
• Wet & rust tolerant system
• Reduced H&S and Fire Hazard
• No downtime due to adverse weather conditions
• Substantial time and cost savings
• No humidity or dew point restrictions
• Long-term guarantee