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CARGO TANK COATING AT WINTER CONDITIONS

MAINTAINING THE REQUIRED STEEL TEMPERATURE

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This document has been prepared in addition to our standard PPG PMC Cargo Tank Coating Working
Procedure, the relevant System / Product Data Sheets, PPG PMC Directives for Ventilation Practice
and Information Data Sheets for Safe Working in Confined Spaces.

The performance of the coating system strongly depends not only on the standards of
surface preparation and application, but also on the curing degree of the applied coatings.
Therefore in addition to all other requirements for substrate pre-treatment and application,
a good ventilation and minimum required substrate temperature as recommended in the
latest Product / System Data Sheets, must be strictly maintained.
Coating parameters such as inter-coat adhesion, water resistance, mechanical and
chemical properties (chemical resistance) can all be adversely affected when the
recommended minimum temperature and directives for ventilation have not been strictly
followed.

In order to achieve an optimal curing of the system, the contractor shall provide sufficient
ventilation, dehumidification and heating equipment, so that during grit blasting, paint
application and curing, the conditions in the tank are maintained in accordance with PPG
PMC recommendations as stated in the relevant Product Data Sheets.

Normally good ventilation consists of at least extraction at the lowest areas, but in most
cases when controlled conditions are needed (cold and / or wet ambient conditions), dry
and / or heated air input will be required. Ventilating air with too high temperature can
cause fast surface curing of epoxy coatings (skin formation) or condensation on relatively
cold substrate, therefore the steel and air temperature should be well balanced so that the
conditions stay stable. The combination of in- and output air must be correctly balanced,
so a slight overpressure in the tank is maintained in order to prevent influence of the
ambient conditions.

In connection with all of the above and considering the fact that ventilating with dry / hot air
in cold winter conditions might not be sufficient to maintain the minimum required steel
temperature, the following possibilities (recommendations) could be considered:

 Pre-heating of Cargo Tank’s substrate by supply of hot air to the adjacent areas
(spaces)

In case of double skin vessels, the minimum required steel temperature in Cargo Tanks
could be maintained by pre-heating the substrate by means of supply of hot air to the
adjacent void spaces or water ballast tanks. This will prevent a direct influence of the
low outside temperature and the minimum required steel temperature could be easily
maintained. (Please, see Photo no. 1-2)

FTS / WP - I FTS07.CT(WC) Issued: 08/07/01 Page 1 of 3

 Photo no. 1-2

General (complicated) condition on main deck of

product / chemical tanker.
Portable heater placed on main deck supplying hot
air into void spaces and water ballast tanks
adjacent to main Cargo Tanks.

 Insulating the outside areas of the tank by mats or other suitable materials

In case of cold weather conditions, certain areas of the tank (i.e. single plate main
deck) could be partially insulated on the outside of the tank in order to maintain the
required steel temperature. The choice of insulating material depends on the structural
design of the areas to be insulated and availability of such materials. However, the
main objective would be to use a material with sufficient thermo-insulation properties
(i.e. wool mats, blankets and wood combined with vinyl sheets etc.).
(Please, see Photo no. 3-4)

Photo no.3-4

Insulation of the main deck with mats and vinyl sheets (‘blankets’). Here the ‘blankets’ are equipped
with electrical heating wires that can be switched on in case of extremely cold weather conditions.

FTS / WP - I FTS07.CT(WC) Issued: 08/07/01 Page 2 of 3

 Insulating the outside areas of the tank by vinyl cover sheets

In case of cold weather conditions vinyl sheets (canvas) could be used to protect the
outside areas of the tank (i.e. main deck). Depending on the structural design, the vinyl
sheets can be placed in such a way that all structural members are covered and
whenever possible used as supports creating a void space. In this case the void space
will play the role of insulation and if necessary this temporary ‘void space’ can be
heated up by supplying hot air.
In case the ambient temperatures are extremely low, this vinyl cover can be combined
with other insulation materials placed directly on the deck, which together with well
(correctly) balanced ventilation would ensure the minimum required steel temperature.
(Please, see Photo no. 5-6 & 7-8)

Photo no. 5-6

Vinyl cover of the main deck as a ‘tent’, creating a void space as an insulation of the single plate
deck-head of Cargo Tanks

Photo no.7-8

Supply of hot air into the temporary ‘void space’ in order to maintain the required steel temperature of
the single plate deck-head of Cargo Tanks

NOTE: The above mentioned methods / possibilities are recommended based on our experience
and to the best of our knowledge to ensure good workmanship. However, all above should not limit
the yard / contractor of exploring other possibilities to protect the substrate in order to maintain the
required steel temperature during blasting, application and curing of the specified coating system.

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