Problem

A large crude oil refinery uses a direct heat exchanger to regulate the temperature of its cooling waters used throughout the refinery process. The interaction of the heat exchanger with the water and refinery processes, resulted in its exposure to a variety of chemicals.

As a result, the heat exchanger showed premature corrosion and oxidation throughout the system even though it was coated with a competitor coating.

Solution

Given the competitive protective material did not provide the required protection, the refinery selected Devcon® Brushable Ceramic Blue Coating.

The Heat Exchanger was sandblasted to remove the failed protective coating and all oxidation & corrosion to expose the surface to a white metal state. Devcon Brushable Ceramic Blue Coating was applied to the internal and external sections of the system.

The unit was quickly returned to service and is still withstanding the corrosive nature of the process, thereby meeting customer expectations.