Seawater Filter Refurbishment: Marine Vessel, China

4th October 2024

Industry: Marine
Location: China
Application: Filter Repair
Products: 208 Ceramic UW

The Challenge

A series of steel seawater filters aboard a container vessel were suffering from significant internal corrosion due to prolonged exposure to high chloride process water. The client needed to refurbish the filters in situ with a solution that would not only arrest corrosion but also withstand erosion and impact from high levels of suspended solids. Additionally, elevated humidity during application posed challenges for traditional coating systems, prompting the need for a moisture tolerant material.

The Application

To begin, the filters were flushed with fresh water to remove soluble salts. Surface preparation was carried out using a Bristle Blaster, achieving an SA 2.5 standard with a textured anchor profile suitable for coating adhesion. This level of preparation ensured that the protective system would bond effectively despite the challenging marine environment.

208 Ceramic UW, a solvent free, high performance epoxy, was applied by hand using stiff bristled brushes and specialist applicators. The team applied two coats of 208 Ceramic UW by hand, achieving a total dry film thickness of 800 microns across all internal surfaces. The product’s moisture tolerant formulation enabled successful application despite ambient humidity and limited ventilation.

The Solution

208 Ceramic UW provided a reinforced, ceramic filled barrier designed to resist both corrosive attack and mechanical wear. Its solvent free composition made it suitable for enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces without the need for forced extraction or hot work permits. Over the following two years, periodic inspections showed no signs of delamination, blistering, or coating degradation, validating its performance in real-world marine service.