PLANT MANAGEMENT
COATINGS? P
CONSIDERING
Achieve faster installation and less downtime with temporary coatings for fl anges
iping is everywhere in process industries such as chemical and petroleum production. Furthermore, fl ange faces on the end of almost
every pipe segment form a critical connection for pressure containment. Any deterioration of these surfaces could diminish the integrity of that connection, making preservation imperative for safety and performance concerns. Removable coatings are a great way to ensure faster installation and less downtime by keeping corrosion away from the fl ange face.
REMOVABLE COATINGS FOR FLANGES Cortec recommends two removable coatings for fl ange face protection. VpCI- 391 is a water-based temporary coating with low VOC (0.4 lbs/gal [48 g/L]). It leaves a clear non-tacky fi lm that is virtually unnoticeable and can be easily removed with alkaline cleaners such as Cortec’s VpCI-41x series (which off ers fl ash rust protection) before the pipe spool is installed. VpCI-391 provides protection in harsh, outdoor, unsheltered applications and has excellent UV resistance. Since the coating leaves a dry fi lm, it is ideal for
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transit applications where pipes and fl anges may be repeatedly handled. For the most extreme conditions, VpCI-368 off ers even heavier duty protection. T is fast-drying solvent-based coating leaves a slightly brown waxy fi nish and should be removed prior to fl ange installation using an alkaline cleaner from the VpCI-41x series.
REMOVABLE COATING ADVANTAGES As previously suggested, the main benefi t of removable fl ange coatings is to avoid the ramifi cations of corrosion. Eric Uutala from Cortec, who has extensive fi eld experience with oil and gas industry preservation, explains the alternative: “If a raised face
is damaged, either from corrosion or mechanical impact, it can cause signifi cant delays in construction in start-up activities. In the case of gramophone raised faces, the re-surfacing process can be very time consuming which could lead to further downtime (and money loss).” By taking the removable coating route, the protective mechanism conforms directly to the surface of the metal, not requiring an additional covering (e.g., plastic fi lm) except what is needed for standard mechanical protection. In the case of VpCI-391, there is minimal change to appearance – a plus for manufacturers concerned about aesthetics – and the coating is especially easy to remove for faster startup of the system.
Preserving the surfaces of fl ange faces is key to ensuring safety and performance
BEST PRACTICES FOR COATING FLANGE FACES Uutala reminds workers that fl ange preservation can be done at any point in the pipe life cycle – at the manufacturing plant, in the storage yard, or at the fi nal site of operation. He outlines the fl ange coating process as follows. Make sure the fl ange face is clean and free of rust, dirt, coatings, and any other contaminants. T en apply either VpCI-368 (for brown, waxy fi lm) or VpCI-
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