Evaluation of Thermally Sprayed and Other Polymeric Coatings for use in Natural Gas Pipeline Components

Abstract

Abstract Several polymeric coatings, including flame sprayed polyethylene (PE), were evaluated for use in parts of natural gas pipelines. The components of interest were for instance large valves, T-joints, weld joints of pipes and pipe bends. More than 30 different coatings were selected to laboratory scale testing and evaluation. After first preliminary tests, the most potential coatings were selected further for more detailed and long term laboratory scale studies. After these tests were finished, one coating concept, i.e. fusion bonded epoxy (FBE) + flame sprayed PE, was prepared on a small natural gas valve body for demonstration purposes. Besides this coating concept, also some other coatings, e.g. liquid epoxy + flame sprayed PE and some polyurethane coatings were found to be potential coatings for the application. The test methods and results are presented in this paper.