Ballast pipe protection

Citation

(1999), "Ballast pipe protection", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 46 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.1999.12846eab.003

Ballast pipe protection

Methods

Ballast pipe protection

Keywords Corrocoat, Marine environments, Pipes, Coatings, Corrosion prevention

Corrocoat has completed a complex project worth in excess of $150,000 for Mobil Shipping, coating the internals of pumproom ballast water pipework on one of the company's VLCCs.

The pipework - with internal diameters ranging between 200-750mm - had originally been coated using an epoxy material, which was showing visible signs of deterioration. Engineers from Corrocoat's Marine division were requested to present a solution which would enable the work to be carried out with minimum disruption over a specified period, making use of planned drydock periods.

Corrocoat recommended application of the company's own Polyglass material, a polyester acrylic co-polymer loaded with flake glass, developed specifically for both immersed and non-immersed environments requiring long-term protection. The work was to be carried out both in situ on the vessel, using proprietary application equipment and, where possible, removed and treated outside the vessel to improve access and working conditions.

Phase One of the project was carried out a couple of years ago, while the vessel was in drydock. A four-man team from Corrocoat removed and coated some 35 per cent of the affected pipework, blasting and coating in a specially prepared area on the dockside. The scope of this work was limited by the drydock timeframe.

Eighteen months later, while the vessel was back in drydock, the project was completed. The remainder of the removable pipework was taken to Corrocoat's local appointed licensee, where it was blast cleaned and coated to the approved specification using Polyglass, before being returned to the vessel.

The balance of the work was then carried out in situ on the vessel, coating pipework internals where access was very restricted, using a range of specialist equipment including Corrocoat's down-pipe blasting and spraying rigs. This section of the project presented significant difficulties, with the team working in very cramped conditions at high levels of humidity below the pumproom floor.

All work was completed on schedule by the Corrocoat team, allowing the vessel to proceed with her ballast pipework coating in an "as new" condition.

Details available from Corrocoat Service Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)113 2756 0760; Fax: +44 (0)113 276 0700; E-mail: enquiries@corrocoat.com Internet: www.corrocoat.com