Chemical Technology

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Chemical Technology • November 2015 19
From the sky, Greatario Covers’ new oil and
gas tank covers look just like any tank cover. In
reality, the Crude Oil Vapour Emission Reduc-
tion System (COVERS) is a series of hexagonal
shapes with symmetric ribs on both sides
that allow the floating structures to form an
interconnecting blanket barrier at the surface
of the heavy oil.
The unique floating cover system – targeted
at hot, heavy-duty oil and gas storage applica-
tions – reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emis-
sions and water vapour that acts as a carrier of
VOCs and harmful carcinogenic hydrocarbons
such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and
xylene, according to Greatario.
Tomake those lightweight shapes, Greatario
Covers used DuPont™ Zytel® LCPA long chain
polyamide resin for its superior chemical resis-
tance and low moisture absorption, compared
to competing thermoplastics like polyolefin.
“The high-performance capabilities of Zy-
tel® LCPA resin has enabled us to penetrate
highly aggressive oil and gas applications that
were beyond the reach of previous materials,”
said Terry Frank, vice president of sales for
Canadian-based Greatario Covers.
Zytel® LCPA resin is chemically compatible
with heavy oil components up to temperatures
of 100 °C. It is also resistant to thermal shock
with testing completed at -40 °C to 100 °C for
sudden rapid temperature exposure.
The low water absorption of Zytel® LCPA
resin avoids weight gain that would affect the
flotation of the Hexa-Cover® Floating Cover and
its capability to trap vapours. The thermoplastic
floating cover, measuring 21,59 cmby 18,79 cm
by 8,38 cm, maintains its hexagonal shape
to ensure the tiles will interlock uniformly on
the oil’s surface. The reduction in absorption
minimises the need for ventilation and reduces
odour release and product evaporation, thus of-
fering environmental benefits and reduced cost.
Along with its exceptional chemical resis-
tance, low moisture absorption and excellent
thermal stability, Zytel® LCPA resin delivers an-
ti-static capabilities and corrosion resistance.
For more information contact Carole Davies on
tel +1 248-583-8112 or
email .
Reduce VOCs with oil and gas storage covers
Save money with WearCheck
For any business that relies on machinery with
moving components, a substantial, and critical,
investment, are the fuels, lubricants, air and
coolants (F.L.A.C) which help maintain compo-
nents in peak operating condition.
Without proper on-site management of
FLAC, there is a direct link to the detrimental
effect on overall machine / component health.
An ongoing situation like this can lead to
premature component failure, which is very
costly and unproductive, and can cripple a
business.
Conditionmonitoring specialists WearCheck
have developed a FLAC management system,
which falls under the umbrella of WearCheck’s
LubriGard programme, and which is geared to
assist plant owners to reduce maintenance
and operating costs without compromising the
equipment in any way.
Chris Hattingh (operations/ technical sup-
port for WearCheck), elaborates; ‘FLAC audits
establish the current conditions and the man-
agement of FLAC, problems are identified, and
an action plan for improvement is mapped out.
‘Recommendations are made to achieve
industry or equipment OEM standards for lube
and fuel cleanliness. Studies reveal contamina-
tion as a major cause of premature failures – in
fact, as much as 70% of all failures are due to
the contamination culprit.
‘Once bulk storage and handling are
assessed, we inspect the equipment. After-
market products assist us in further improving
the quality of fuel and lube cleanliness levels.’
WearCheck’s FLAC programme has re-
corded good results to date.
‘We’ve extended drain intervals on some
customers’ sites to 1 000 hours without com-
promising equipment health, but they’ve been
dedicated to this programme for the past few
years.
‘It is important to note that FLAC is not a
quick fix, but rather a maintenance culture
change and it takes time. Also, FLAC and Wear-
Check oil analysis results work in tandem― one
cannot function without the other.’
For more information contact WearCheck on tel
+27 11 392 6322,
email or
Greatario Covers utilised DuPont™ Zytel® LCPA
long chain polyamide resin in the company’s
Hexa-Cover® Floating Cover. (Photo courtesy of
Greatario Covers)