Keywords
Citation
(2001), "High-performance, multi-layer, polypropylene anticorrosion field joint coating system", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 48 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2001.12848dad.015
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
High-performance, multi-layer, polypropylene anticorrosion field joint coating system
High-performance, multi-layer, polypropylene anticorrosion field joint coating system Keywords: Pipeline Induction Heat, Pipelines, Coatings
During November 2000, following successful "pre-qualification" application trials and a rigorous, independent, third-party, laboratory testing programme, Pipeline Induction Heat Limited (PIH) introduced its high-performance, multi-layer, heat-assisted, polypropylene tape system, for production coating field joints on the Total/Fina/Elf 12 inch diameter "nuggets field development: offshore pipeline project".
PIH was sub-contracted to the welding company Umax Limited to work online at the Coflexip Stena Offshore (CSO) Evanton spoolbase in Scotland. Production welding rates averaging 85 butt joints per 12-hour shift were specified.
Working over three consecutive workstations, PIH is reported to have comfortably achieved this target, while maintaining superlative quality. After fabrication the polypropylene-coated pipestrings were then spooled onboard the CSO reelship Apache for subsequent offshore pipelay.
PIH's innovative (patent applied for) polypropylene tape system is said to represent another first for this specialist UK contracting company. The process equipment and application procedures have been specifically developed by PIH to meet today's demands for high quality and rapid application cycle-times, while offering flexibility for use on both conventional offshore and spoolbase online operations. Furthermore, PIH reports that it has since modified its autocoat, heat-assisted PP tape machine to suit conventional onshore pipelay projects, where the equipment is mounted on mobile prime-mover units that travel along the right-of-way during construction of the pipeline.
The application process can be summarized as follows:
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abrasive grit blast;
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induction pre-heat to 240°C;
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apply FBE 1 CMPP dual-powders by automatic machine;
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spiral wrap polypropylene tape system, using PIH's autocoat machine;
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cool and inspect.
The PIH, heat-assisted, polypropylene tape system is thought to represent a major breakthrough in the industry, by allowing fast application of a sophisticated three-layer polypropylene anti-corrosion coating to the pipeline field joint.
According to PIH, independent test results have proved that the applied field joint coating offers performance characteristics equal to the factory-applied system (in all respects), while any problems of integration between the on-site and factory-applied coatings (traditionally the "weak link") have been eliminated.
Details available from Pipeline Induction Heat Limited. Tel: +44 (0) 1282 415 323; Fax: +44 (0) 1282 415 326; E-mail: sales@pih.co.uk; Web site: www.pih.co.uk