13 November 2024

As industries evolve to meet growing energy demands while reducing environmental impact, embracing effective, safer and easy to apply technologies becomes imperative to the success and growth of the future energy market. That’s the future STOPAQ is striving for with our advancements in protective coating solutions, which we discussed in our most recent article published in the November 2024 issue of International Power Engineer.

The article explores the advantages of PIB-based sealants for asset integrity and protection in the rapidly expanding LNG market for not only corrosion under insulation protection but also for its vapour barrier capabilities through products like STOPAQ InsulWrap. Imagine a world where keeping your power plant running smoothly doesn’t require complicated solutions!

Read below a summarized version of the article, which you can find in full here.

 

Lengthening Lifespans

PIB-based sealants, offer significant advantages over conventional sealing systems. These PIB-based sealants remain in a viscous state throughout their lifetime, maintaining fluidity even at temperatures below -60°C (-76°F).

One of the most significant benefits of PIB-based sealants is their simplified application process:

  1. Minimal surface preparation/cleanliness
  2. Reduced inspection points
  3. Simplified equipment
  4. No dry times or shutdown requirements

These factors contribute to reduced labour costs, as the application process doesn’t require highly skilled workers with intense training, complex equipment, and intense inspection before, during, and after the application process.

The Growing LNG Market

The LNG industry requires extensive infrastructure, including liquefaction plants, storage tanks, and transportation vessels. All these assets are susceptible to water penetration, leading to eventual corrosion and premature insulating material/system breakdown, due to exposure to harsh environments and extreme temperatures.

PIB sealing technology prove to be a great solution for the LNG market, particularly as a vapour barrier. Given the inherit properties of the sealant and the proven performance to be a complete barrier to water and oxygen, and the ability to adhere to various substrates with minimal surface preparation and need for stringent surface cleanliness, products like STOPAQ InsulWrap have been chosen to be applied overtop of cryogenic insulation.