The Problem
Pulp and Paper facilities are renowned for their corrosive environments which necessitates their steel structures, including this overhead crane, to be maintained and protected against these elements.
Due to being 20 metres overhead and surrounded by critical equipment, abrasive blasting was not an option so the client needed an alternative type of surface preparation for a protective coating to be applied.
The Application
NanoPrep provided the perfect solution for this application.
First, the crane was high pressure washed at 3,500psi to remove loose rust, coating and any contaminants off the surface. Thereafter, two coats of NanoPrep were applied by airless spray. Finally, two coats of Jotun XP Hardtop in safety yellow were applied to provide added long term protection and a nice aesthetic finish.
The job was done during regular operating hours without causing disruptions or requiring production to be stopped.
The Outcome
Previously, during 2019, the client had the other crane’s walkways and motor pans coated in NanoPrep as a trial. Five years later, they are still in perfect condition and as a result the client decided to coat another crane that was showing signs of degradation.
The client is very happy with the result and requested additional cranes and other equipment to be protected using NanoPrep.
Project Specification
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Industry | Pulp & Paper |
| Application | Overhead crane structure |
| Environment | Active production facility — overhead location |
| Surface condition | Heavily corroded steel structure |
| Surface preparation | High pressure wash (3,500 psi) — no blasting |
| NanoPrep system | NanoPrep rust primer + industrial topcoat |
| Key requirement | No blast contamination of active production |
