Page 14 - Industrial Technology EXTRA 8th June 2020

MATERIALS...

Composite repair minimises

processing downtime

The timely application of the Loctite Composite Repair System to a damaged petrol
vessel allowed a petrochemical facility to continue processing for several months

until a new vessel could be installed. The company responsible for this solution is
pipeline repair specialist, Hydratight

uring the planned shutdown and routine
plant inspection at the processing site, a
potential problem with the petrol vessel
Dwas identified, specifically reduced wall
thickness and stress corrosion cracking. Due to the
long lead time of up to three months for the
procurement of a replacement vessel, Hydratight
was asked to repair it to preserve productivity in the
intervening period.
To minimise downtime, ensure vessel integrity
and safeguard health and safety, Hydratight
proposed the Loctite Composite Repair System as a accelerated, allowing Hydratight to complete the
short-term solution. Central to this method is a vessel repair within two weeks.
resin-based composite material reinforced with The ISO/TS 24817 and DNV GL certified Loctite
fibres. It is similar in design to materials developed System comprises four products and is suitable for
by Henkel that are successfully serving the repair of both non-through wall and through
manufacturers of rotor blades for wind power wall defects, covering all repair classes 1-3. In
generation or lightweight components for the addition to straight pipes, the system can be used
automotive industry. to repair other components such as bends, tees,
The large size of the petrol vessel – 3500mm reducers and flanges.
diameter, 15500mm length with a surface area of The system allows corroded pipes to be repaired
2
200m – and several protruding pipes made this a in situ, without any interruption to operations and
significant project for both Hydratight and its even with high internal pressure. Also, the quality
partner, Henkel. Upon contract award, the timeline achieved by the repair can increase the lifetime of
available for preparatory engineering, material steel pipelines by up to 20 years.
procurement and manpower mobilisation was www.henkel-adhesives.co.uk

June 2020 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA! • p14