Rusty steel pipe with heat insulation on construction site.

Corrosion under insulation (CUI) is a longtime plague of petrochemical, refinery, and marine environments. The problem is so bad that an estimated 40-60 percent of piping maintenance costs in the oil and gas industry stem from CUI-related expenses. Even worse, undetected CUI on pipes carrying hazardous liquids may lead to leaks and potential explosions. To tackle this dangerous and costly problem, Cortec Corporation has developed CorroLogic CUI Inhibitor Injection, a new Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor technology that simplifies protection for insulated pipes reaching a high range of temperatures.

CUI happens when moisture and other corrosive media enter insulation after water barrier wraps or jackets are compromised or when condensation builds up, often unnoticed, beneath the insulation. This is especially a problem with piping that undergoes wet-dry or high-low temperature cycling. The threat of CUI is potentially even greater on offshore platforms or in other marine environments where chloride-rich sea spray can infiltrate the insulation. The longer CUI goes unnoticed, the more serious it becomes. Preventing or even arresting corrosion without disturbing insulation or equipment operation is ideal.

CorroLogic CUI Inhibitor Injection is a new high-temperature 100 percent Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI/VpCI) for protection against corrosion under insulation (CUI). As its name implies, CorroLogic CUI Inhibitor Injection can be injected directly into insulating material. The corrosion inhibiting vapor migrates from the injection point along the pipe to form a hydrophobic protective layer on metal surfaces beneath the insulation. This passive layer is long-lasting, protects in the presence of chloride-containing moisture, and can withstand high temperatures up to 662°F (350 °C).

CorroLogic CUI Inhibitor Injection offers an incredible advantage over other methods of CUI protection that can only be applied after removing insulation or before insulating new pipes. Maintenance personnel now have the convenience of applying protection under existing insulation, even on surfaces that reach high temperatures. This results in a wider timeframe in which to apply preventative measures, increasing the chances of inhibiting and arresting corrosion before it gets too serious.

CUI has been an elusive enemy for years. Once piping is installed and insulation is in place, it is difficult to see and correct the problems that may be going on beneath the surface. Now, thanks to Cortec Corporation, a more viable option exists to mitigate corrosion without removing insulation or seriously disturbing operations. CorroLogic CUI Inhibitor Injection has the potential to help pipes last longer and minimize cumbersome repairs on insulated surfaces. Best of all, it reduces the risk for corrosion-related failures, thus increasing overall plant safely while reducing maintenance costs.