STOPAQ® System: Pipe Support
Corrosion under pipe supports, or CUPS, is a type of corrosion that is mainly caused by crevice formations due to the lack of appropriate insulation in between the pipes and the supports. Depending on the required level of protection, STOPAQ® systems can be applied as a complete encapsulation system (e.g., cold shoes), or partially on either the pipe or the support to create the required insulation avoiding the crevice formation (e.g., pipe saddles). As a minimum, a 2-layer STOPAQ® system will be required for CUPS protection.
The options are:
- STOPAQ® CZH Wrappingband with STOPAQ® PVC Outerwrap, or
- STOPAQ® EZ Wrappingband with EZ Shield topcoat.
- Addition of STOPAQ® Outerglass Shield (OGS) for pipe supports that require mechanical and impact protection.
The right protection system can be determined depending on the severity of corrosion in the pipe contact region with the support, ensuring the level of material loss is still within the structural requirements of the asset. If the surface at the joints has deep cavities, these may require application of STOPAQ® CZH paste to cover the cavities and to smooth out surface before STOPAQ®CZH wrappingband application.
If there is corrosion penetration through the pipe wall, welding of repair sleeves followed by application of STOPAQ® systems may be recommended. These requirements can be assessed in a case-by-case scenario.
Corrosion under pipe supports, or CUPS, is a type of corrosion that is mainly caused by crevice formations due to the lack of appropriate insulation in between the pipes and the supports. Depending on the required level of protection, STOPAQ® systems can be applied as a complete encapsulation system (e.g., cold shoes), or partially on either the pipe or the support to create the required insulation avoiding the crevice formation (e.g., pipe saddles). As a minimum, a 2-layer STOPAQ® system will be required for CUPS protection.
The options are:
The right protection system can be determined depending on the severity of corrosion in the pipe contact region with the support, ensuring the level of material loss is still within the structural requirements of the asset. If the surface at the joints has deep cavities, these may require application of STOPAQ® CZH paste to cover the cavities and to smooth out surface before STOPAQ®CZH wrappingband application.
If there is corrosion penetration through the pipe wall, welding of repair sleeves followed by application of STOPAQ® systems may be recommended. These requirements can be assessed in a case-by-case scenario.
