Global Tank Storage Award Winner: Emerging Technology

Global Tank Storage Award winner, Sherwin-Williams, explains how its gold winning emerging technology is helping insulate the industry Traditional insulating systems found on storage tanks often consist of a layer of primer, mineral wool or another insulator about 3 mm thick, clad in either stainless steel substrate or aluminium plate. Unfortunately, this means that the steel of the tank is hidden, which means it’s difficult to know what’s going on underneath. This can lead to the creation of the conditions which cause CUI (corrosion under insulation) which is invisible to normal inspection and will make maintenance more difficult and much more costly. Neil Wilds, global product director at renowned paint company Sherwin- Williams says: ‘These traditional insulation systems don’t give long-term protection from water, and once it gets in, you can get the conditions leading to CUI. It can only be seen using relatively expensive scanning techniques or, actual full removal.’ However, by taking away the 3 inches of mineral wool, and replacing it with a thermal insulation coating option, such as Heat-Flex 7000, the corrosion is no longer invisible.’ Changing The...