Coatings with a touch of green
Coatings and linings for tanks have been going green for some time. But 31 October is a turning point as compliance with the EU Solvent Emissions Directive becomes statutory, obligating tank operators to use coatings and linings that meet tight restrictions on solvent levels and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
Fortunately, most coating and lining manufacturers have developed products well in advance to meet EU SED 1999/13/EC and its latest amendments. Major hydrocarbon, chemical and petrochemical operators also recognise the need to demonstrate an environmentally friendly approach, as well as meeting safety and occupational exposure requirements in line with Article 7 of the SED.
However, the emerging biofuel market, and bioethanol in particular, requires a new generation of coating and lining products to handle a variety of feedstocks.
Furthermore, as oil production comes on stream from deeper reservoirs, there is a need to store high viscosity crude at raised temperatures.
Generally, tank linings serve two purposes – to protect the steel container and to protect the chemical contained. Both demands are being met with innovative solutions which match or exceed the performance of former less eco-friendly products.
New criteria
Derek Arthur, market manager of protective coatings at International Paint, part of Akzo Nobel, believes that Interline 984, a two-component, solvent-free, chemically resistant and heavy duty epoxy phenolic tank liner meets most of the new criteria in terms of high performance. ‘We can provide corrosion protection to the internal of steel storage tanks covering an extensive range of products, including crude oil up to 95˚C, lead-free petroleum blends, aromatics and aliphatic solvents.’ Interline 984 can be used as either a single coat reinforced system or in conjunction with fibreglass to form a glass reinforced laminate system. It has been specially formulated for chemical resistance, with extended recoat intervals.
Interline 955 is also a heavy duty vinyl ester suitable for storage of hot media and acid chemicals at elevated temperatures up to 90˚C. Arthur maintains: ‘We are also getting requests for high temperature performance up to 120˚C.’
