Cortec is globally committed to providing corrosion solutions that are both cost-effective and environmentally-sound. The organization has stepped up its efforts in recent months as the pandemic has forced plant shutdowns, leaving more equipment idle and exposed to rust. Here are a few of the technologies Cortec has implemented to assist with corrosion control:

Component Protection

Nobody thinks much about a shipment of parts until the parts are needed for the application. Complications from moisture, dust, or heat can compromise the integrity of certain components. When it comes to rust preventative packaging for metal parts, most VCI (vapor corrosion inhibitor) moisture barrier papers are waxed or coated with polyethylene (PE). This creates an environmental problem because the papers cannot be recycled through normal channels. Cortec Corporation has overcome this challenge with EcoShield VpCI-144 Paper, a vapor phase corrosion inhibiting moisture-barrier paper that can be fully re-pulped.

Cortec’s line of VpCI papers is especially noteworthy because of EcoShield VpCI-144 Paper. This recyclable corrosion inhibiting paper provides a competitive environmentally friendly alternative to polyethylene and wax paper, with comparable water vapor barrier properties. The paper is fully repulpable according to the Fiber Box Association Voluntary Standard and can be recycled into many types of paper products such as boxes, cardboard, and other corrugated materials.



It does not contain nitrites, phosphates, silicones, chromates, and other heavy metals. One product protects against corrosion for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, eliminating the need to stock several products for different metal types. It can be used to protect metal items for storage or shipment in a wide variety of ways:

• Protective wrap for individual components


• End closures for shipping tubes


• Insert strips for recessed areas in large packages


• Sheet liners or separators between products

EcoShield VpCI-144 Paper is an excellent choice for corrosion protection and moisture resistance in the bearings industry. Manufacturers can use it to safely package new bearings for shipment, and the bearings can remain wrapped up and protected until they are needed for assembly. Other suggested applications include protection of metal coils, wire reels, plate, and bars or moisture-barrier/corrosion-inhibiting packaging of finished goods such as firearms and ammunition.

EcoShield VpCI-144 Paper contains 69% USDA certified biobased content and is a qualified product under the mandatory federal purchasing initiative of the USDA BioPreferred Program(www.biopreferred.gov). In addition to its recyclability, this makes it an excellent choice for users who are simply trying to be more environmentally responsible, as well as for federal agencies or their contractors who must meet minimum biobased content standards when purchasing rust preventatives and other materials.

Metal parts wrapped in EcoShield VpCI-144 Paper are protected against rust by an invisible molecular corrosion inhibiting layer that forms on the surface of the metal as VpCI molecules in the paper vaporize, fill the enclosed space, and are attracted to the metal. No special cleaning of the VpCI layer is required because the protective layer will simply float away once the part is removed from the package, allowing immediate use.

Oil Rig Guidelines

With uncertainty and mounting challenges on the horizon for the oil industry, many rig owners are already or will soon be facing the question of whether or not it is time to stack their offshore drilling rigs. Concerned about cutting losses and reducing capital output, they need cost-effective solutions for preserving the value of millions of dollars’ worth of assets in harsh conditions until they can either be put back into service or sold. This requires a serious look at corrosion preventative measures that are both effective and require minimal effort in order to bring the equipment back online. To help owners and operators navigate this major undertaking, Cortec Corporation has published a new guide to the layup of offshore drilling rigs.

The guide begins with an index of 74 offshore rig systems to be preserved, with critical items in bold. Before addressing each system in alphabetical order, the guide notes several basic instructions for general layup, such as removing existing rust with VpCI-423, cleaning with VpCI-415, and coating external equipment surfaces with VpCI-391. It also identifies which corrosion inhibitor additives to use with different types of lubrication oils and hydraulic fluids and specifies which VpCI Emitters to employ for varying sizes of void space.

The handbook then goes step by step through the many important aspects of offshore layup, from prepping worker accommodations to preserving alarms—from flushing ballast systems with corrosion-inhibitor treated seawater to taking measures to carefully shut down a blowout preventer (BOP) control system. It even includes options for treating and deodorizing toilets and holding tanks with biologicals from Cortec subsidiary, Bionetix International. Several common preservation materials resurface again and again:

 

• MilCorr VpCI Shrink Film serves a critical role in preserving offshore equipment on-deck.


• ElectriCorr VpCI-239 and VpCI Emitters (VpCI-101 Device, VpCI-105, VpCI-111, and VpCI-308 Pouch) are convenient and effective for protecting electronics and electricals.


• CorrLubeVpCI Lithium EP Grease can be used for layup on many components where lubrication is needed. It has the advantage of being viable both during storage and intermittent use.


• VpCI-369 is another important product to have in good supply for rust prevention of many internal components on an offshore platform.

In addition to their protective qualities, VpCI Technologies are typically easy to apply and remove, if needed. These are important factors for completing a successful rig-stacking program with the intention of a smooth return to service when demand makes drilling profitable again. Compared to the hundreds of millions of dollars of value that could otherwise be lost by equipment corrosion, investing in a cost-effective layup program is a small price to pay for the astronomical value preserved. Cortec’s layup guide helps ensure that it is done well.

Corrosion Prevention on Idle Equipment

As the reopening of some commercial and institutional facilities gives a glimmer of hope for more normal days ahead, other facilities remain closed and uncertain on when or if they will open again. Over the last several months, these hotels, resorts, restaurants, theme parks, convention centers, school districts, university campuses, and air and ship terminals have faced new challenges as unprecedented public safety measures have reduced or shut down operations completely. Many facility managers who never had to even consider a preservation plan have been left with a major project to tackle. Among other tasks, corrosion prevention on core utilities such as industrial steam boilers, cooling water systems, and closed loops is a top priority, since corrosion on idle equipment can result in premature equipment failure, unnecessary and non-budgeted repair/replacement costs, and further delays to equipment startups.

To help commercial and institutional facility managers avoid these negative repercussions, Cortec Corporation has released a detailed white paper on simple and effective strategies for the layup of boilers, closed loops, and cooling water systems at commercial and institutional facilities. However, before beginning any construction or welding projects, it is important to secure Hot Work Permits, which are intended to assure that the individuals involved in construction, renovation, repairs and maintenance of University facilities are aware of the hazards associated with hot work and welding and that they implement control measures to help mitigate them.

These strategies provide excellent protection with minimal effort and easy startup. Helpful reference charts identify the best water treatments to apply based on system type, component, size, and dry or wet-dry layup method. The guide offers invaluable direction for those still in the middle of a shutdown crisis, as well as for those who are reopening but can still benefit from corrosion solutions for temporary preservation of boilers or cooling systems entering seasonal layup.

The white paper also includes solutions for cleaning; odor control; and drain, septic, and grease trap maintenance using biologicals from Cortec’s biotechnology subsidiary, Bionetix International. These products contain beneficial microorganisms that continue biodegrading waste and soils even after initial application. This ongoing biological activity makes shutdown an ideal time for treatment because it gives the microorganisms plenty of opportunity to work without disruption while drains are not being used.



Shutdown is also an excellent time to perform concrete repair and maintenance tasks without getting in the way of customers, tourists, or students who would normally be on site. To maximize the durability of these projects and structural components, the white paper identifies several MCI materials to mitigate corrosion: MCI repair mortar, surface applied Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors (with or without a combination water repellent), and an industrial powder coating to protect rebar from corrosion in outdoor storage.

It is easy to guess that the need for simple, effective protection of basic utilities has reached an all-time high this year. Fortunately, this white paper gives facility managers an excellent preservation plan to guide them through a time of uncertainty toward the hope of a good future startup—minus the problems of corrosion. Read the white paper here:

https://www.cortecvci.com/protecting-commercial-and-institutional-facilities-during-extended-shutdowns/

For more information:

Cortec Corporation

Phone: (651) 429-1100

www.cortecvci.com