REINFORCEKiT® PATCH, TEG flash vessel repair – Africa
Long-term composite repair solution for tank and pressure vessel reinforcement
Overview
The objective of the repair performed in August 2021 by 3X ENGINEERING (3X), and its local distributor was to reinforce a 48" TEG flash vessel located on FPSO and suffering from external corrosion on 2 separate areas and through-wall defect. This job was performed using our composite solution dedicated to pressure vessel reinforcement called REINFORCEKIT® PATCH (combination of several Kevlar® patches and bi-component epoxy resin).
Results
Hardness measurements were performed 6 days after job completion and concluded the success of the repair using REINFORCEKITⓇ PATCH product. The design lifetime of the repair is 10 years. A recent intervention during summer 2024 (i.e. 3 years after patching installation) has proven that the repair is always existing and efficient.
 Defect type |
External corrosion & crack |
Details |
48" TEG flash vessel, hydrocarbon gas |
Location |
Africa |
3X Product type |
REINFORCEKiT® PATCH |
SCOPE OF WORK
The repair design was performed according to ASME PCC-2 standard. Defected areas (i.e. 2 areas suffering from external corrosion and 1 area with crack) were treated using a combination of composite patching (Kevlar® patches + resin) and composite wrapping (circumferential layers of Kevlar® tape + resin).
The pressure vessel reinforcement was performed following 5 main steps:
- Surface preparation and hygrometry test: Surface preparation was firstly performed with sandblasting and improved using Bristle Blaster® machine to get the sufficient surface roughness of 60µm before composite reinforcement. After surface preparation, hygrometric conditions were checked and the defected areas were degreased with acetone.
- FIXOKiT® leak sealing system (only for crack) and filler application: FIXOKiT® system (made of specific filler and steel plate) was firstly applied on the crack to stop the leak. Then 3X filler was applied on all the defected areas to reshape the surface and improve the bonding with composite patching and wrapping.
- Resin application and composite patching reinforcement (only for crack): A first layer of resin was applied before patching to protect the prepared surface and improved the adhesion with the patches. Eighteen patches of Kevlar® tape recovered with epoxy resin were applied and centered on the crack defect.
- Composite wrapping reinforcement: Then 4 layers of composite were wrapped around the pressure vessel to reinforce the composite patching and the 2 areas damaged by external corrosion.
- Composite repair finalization: To complete the repair, a last layer of resin was applied as finishing stage and an id plate was installed for traceability.
