Passive Fire Protection (PFP) coatings have become a permanent fixture in the oil, gas and chemical industries, where asset owners and operators require high performance fire resistant coatings that provide proven protection in the most demanding ‘real world’ operating conditions.
PPG PITT-CHAR is the only truly flexible intumescent epoxy available today and offers proven hydrocarbon PFP performance against hydrocarbon risks in diverse operating locations.
Since 1983, PPG PITT-CHAR coatings have been proven on hundreds of projects throughout the world in onshore and offshore industries. The system is highly durable and provides effective, long lasting fire and corrosion protection. Thanks to its unique flexibility characteristics, it improves the protection for modular project components that have the potential risk for cracks and damage due to cross-continent transportation and handling.
In addition to its unrivalled fire protection, the unique flexibility of PPG PITT-CHAR provides enhanced resistance to cracking on flexing and vibrating structures, and exhibits excellent performance particularly under cryogenic spill and explosion conditions.
Two recent case studies demonstrate how PPG helped clients achieve their fire safety goals in two very different, complex and demanding projects. Sasol Chemicals is constructing the Lake Charles Chemical Project (LCCP), a 1.5m tonnes per annum ethane cracker and six downstream chemical units in Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA.
The project called for a coatings supplier with a global supply chain and a technical support function capable of ensuring its execution. The packages fabricated in China required cross-continent transportation and handling so the ability to withstand long-distance transportation and handling to minimize cracking was one of the key criteria for acceptance.
In addition to its fireproofing and corrosion-resistant properties, PPG PITT-CHAR XP was selected for its ability to ensure enhanced resistance to cracking, making it suitable for modular construction and semi-finished transportation. PPG PITT-CHAR XP will play a critical role in the LCCP, designed to protecting lives and assets against hydrocarbon hazards.
In central Asia, the North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC) is the operator of the 5,600 km2 Kashagan offshore oilfield, one of the largest petroleum developments in the world, located in the northern part of the Caspian Sea.
NCOC had two essential coatings requirements for the second and third Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) modules built for Kashagan. Firstly, PPG had to offer a wide range of protective coatings, including with passive fire protection for this aggressive offshore environment.
Secondly, PPG had to provide local technical and supply chain support with compliance to international standards and specifications.
PPG’s proposal provided the ideal combination of excellent corrosion and abrasion protection with the most effective defence against the most hazardous hydrocarbon fire situations. The PPG PITT-CHAR XP intumescent coating was applied to the blast wall section to protect the local equipment room from fire and will provide jet fire protection for up to 30 minutes.
A crucial factor in selecting PPG PITT-CHAR XP was its proven ability to withstand thermal expansion from cold to hot climate conditions without cracking. Additional advantages for the customer were the coatings durability and its ability to remain free from damage during transportation, assembly and commissioning.
PPG PITT-CHAR flexible epoxy intumescent coatings provide the ultimate solution for extreme hydrocarbon hazards, including explosions, impacts, fires, and cryogenic spills.
Its unique flexibility prevents cracking and delivers superior fire protection by forming an insulating char upon exposure to high heat. This ensures the structural steel’s integrity for an extended period of time, allowing workers to evacuate the structure safely in case of fire or explosion.
This robust, long-lasting coating system will protect the customer’s onshore and offshore assets many years to come.
For more information, go to www.ppgpmc.com
