Aging steel infrastructure presents a significant challenge globally. As technology develops and improves, offering new and refined techniques for extracting and processing hydrocarbon, petroleum, and chemical products, producers face the dilemma of extending the design life of aging assets or replacing them entirely. These facilities typically have an original design life of 25 to 30 years, with many already nearing or exceeding this lifespan. Given the current global economic climate, replacing deteriorated pipelines, storage vessels, and other steel assets can be prohibitively expensive and resource-intensive. Consequently, assets like steel pipelines are often used beyond their design lifespan, posing significant risks to the environment, public health, and safety due to leakage and bursts.
This article explores the potential of epoxy resin composite systems, specifically Carbontech's Revowrap® products, for rehabilitating and extending the lifespan of such aging infrastructure. We discuss the relevant regulations and design codes, highlight the applicability of Revowrap® across various industries, and explore the economic and environmental benefits Carbontech’s products offer.
Globally, aging infrastructure presents a significant challenge to industrial and chemical industries. According to the 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure Report Card, the overall grade for U.S. infrastructure is a C-, with an estimated investment gap of $2.6 trillion over the next decade. Corrosion and structural defects compromise the environment and public safety and could lead to legal implications and substantial financial losses. This scenario is mirrored globally, emphasizing the critical need for cost-effective and sustainable solutions to extend the life of aging infrastructure.
Traditional methods of addressing these issues often involve costly replacements and lengthy downtimes. However, advancements in polymer engineering and technology, specifically epoxy resin composites, have made alternative affordable repair and rehabilitation solutions a reality. Carbontech Composite Systems specialize in these innovations, providing robust, durable, and compliant products that revitalize old piping infrastructure and contribute to a sustainable future.
Engineers, technologists, and scientists identified the dire need for alternative, affordable, and effective solutions for asset repairs and launched a good practice standard in 2004, ASME PCC2, titled “Repair of Pressure Equipment and Piping.” Since its introduction, epoxy resin composite repair systems for pressure equipment and pipelines have been subject to strict international requirements and regulatory standards, offering guidelines for the qualification, design, installation, and quality inspection of composite repair systems.
Carbontech's Revowrap® products are extensively tested and qualified to meet the requirements as specified in ASME PCC2, as well as ISO 24817, titled “Petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries – Composite repairs for pipework – Qualification and design, installation, testing and inspection”. Additionally, Carbontech has recently received certification from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for Composite Repairs of Steel Structures and Piping, June 2021. These qualifications ensure the materials' reliability for effective repairs and safety for a wide range of applications.
