Coatings question time
Published by Isabel Stagg,
Editorial Assistant
World Pipelines,
World Pipelines speaks with David Hunter, Segment Development Manager for CUI/High Heat & Insulation, Hempel, about the paint and coatings company’s entrance to the insulation coatings market, discussing new insulation solutions that prevent Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI).
World Pipelines: Could you start out by telling us a little bit about the inspiration and innovation behind Hempatherm?
David Hunter: Absolutely. Insulation coatings are not new. In fact, variations have been on the market for over 25 years. Thermal Insulation Coatings’ (TICs) ability to mitigate CUI, their thermal performance stability, and long, maintenance-free service lives are well understood. These features are even recognised by API. The challenge with the technology is that the majority of the competing TICs cannot be applied thickly enough to rival the performance of conventional mechanical insulation alternatives. Hempatherm addresses that problem, making the addressable market much larger for TICs - and Hempatherm in particular.
The second part is that we listened to our customers, who are all interested in more sustainable operations. A typical process for monitoring CUI at facilities is to remove (and dispose of) existing mechanical insulation, inspect the surfaces, and then replace them. This obviously creates a lot of waste that goes straight to landfill, and this amount of waste has been identified as a top contributor to the overall waste stream of a facility. TICs can help in solving this problem.
Hempatherm offers a comprehensive suite of features, designed to meet the diverse needs of our customers, but also of our applicators working in the field. Notably, it provides high film build per coat, which reduces application labour costs. The products are non-hazardous, and zero VOC, which minimises worker exposure to hazardous solvents and chemicals. The Hempatherm system is non-flammable, which means that it can be applied on hot surfaces up to 150°C (300°F), without shutting down operations.
When it comes to CUI, Hempatherm’s operation range almost exactly covers the temperature range that is characterised by CUI, from -25°C up to 177°C (350°F). Additionally, the system can be used for personal protection from burns, while also effectively preventing solar heat gain, thereby contributing to energy conservation.
World Pipelines: What sets Hempatherm apart from traditional mechanical insulation systems?
David Hunter: Great question. What truly distinguishes Hempatherm are two things: Hempatherm’s ability to stop…
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Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/special-reports/18072024/coatings-question-time/
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