Coatings for Sample Lines and Tanks
Gary A. Barone; Marty Higgins; Dr. David A. Smith
SilcoTek Corporation
112 Benner Circle, Bellefonte, PA 16823
Abstract
The use of coatings to enhance the chemical compatibility of analyzer flow-paths has grown with increasing performance demands. This paper will review test data and recommend coating compatibility for sulfur, mercury, moisture and chloride containing streams. Data will be applicable to equipment used in stack gas monitoring, compliance with Rule 1118 for flare gas emissions, mercury sampling and general data for any components exposed to chloride containing streams and environments. Industrial applications benefiting from this study will include stack gas sampling, environmental quality testing, refining streams, oil and gas exploration and transport, or any industry transporting or retaining active compounds.
Introduction
Process analyzers used in the power generation, refining, petrochemical, oil and gas and the semiconductor industry have differing flow path requirements depending on what is being sampled. The need for system accuracy, speed of response and reproducibility in process analyzers has been a driving factor in use and development of surface modifications and coatings. Components in sample streams may be reactive or corrosive to flow path components that are made of steel or stainless steel. Many solutions have been developed to enhance compatibility including Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), siloxane treatments and silicon Chemical Vapor Deposition Coatings. Industrial applications that have specifically benefited from the use of coatings include the following: components in analyzers for low-sulfur gasoline and diesel, mercury in natural gas streams, sampling probes in corrosive stack environments, equipment set up on off-shore platforms, moisture in sample lines during upsets and others.