Pipe and Oil Tank Liners: How to Choose Best Material
Select Nitrile Linings for Oil & Gas Industry Applications
Blair Rubber Company offers literally hundreds of options for primary or secondary containment linings for pipes and storage tanks, to protect valuable capital equipment from corrosive damage and to help prevent product leaks or spills.
Each industry poses its own set of unique challenges. Within the oil and gas industry or oil sands, a nitrile lining will provide the performance required to withstand the corrosive nature of the chemicals and the types of gasses produced by the substances pumped through pipes or stored in tanks.
The types of containers or applications can include storage tanks, shipping containers, processing for pipes or water processing treatment with high oil content. A variety of factors help guide the selection of the particular type of nitrile lining that may be required.
Temperature
One of the first deciding factors is the temperature demands placed on the lining. Soft nitrile and semi-hard nitrile linings (VE515BNI and VE927BNI respectively) are recommended for temperatures up to 190°F (88°C). Hydrogenated nitrile (V627BNI) is recommended for higher temperatures as it will perform well under conditions that reach 302°F (150°C).
Nitrile above and beyond all other synthetic lining materials exhibits a high resistance to petroleum-based products. Proper material selection can help prevent product contamination, leaks or a vessel or pipe breach. Other, less substantive liners can start to swell, then eventually dissolve or disintegrate and fail to protect the pipe or tank.
Gases
Another consideration, especially in the oil and gas industry, are what gases might impact the tanks or liners, such as sweet or sour gas or hydrogen sulfide, to name a few.
A good rule of thumb to follow are the parts per million (ppm) of hydrocarbon or oil content contained in the material flowing through pipes or stored in tanks. When the hydrocarbon or oil content is above 200 ppm, the best lining to provide adequate protection for the level of hydrocarbons would be a nitrile lining. Lower concentrations in the parts per million can get by with neoprene. Types of liners potentially suitable for these situations would include LS575, VE612BNE or VE712BN, with neoprene liners suitable for temperatures up to 160° F (71°C) with others able to withstand temperatures up to 212° F (100°C).
Process Changes Demand New Liners
The types of situations that should cause careful examination of liner selection would include newly designed equipment that hasn’t been field tested; a processor increasing speed of materials passing through pipes or filling tanks; or processing methods that switch to higher temperatures. There can be issues when not using nitrile, such as premature failures with the lining or a shorter service life due to the level of hydrocarbon concentration.
The right choice of a nitrile lining for oil and gas or mining processing can help streamline production and avoid unnecessary expenses or lost production time spent repairing or replacing equipment. And an important factor when selecting the lining provider is trust—clients know that Blair Rubber products, with its rigid oversight of every step of the production process, provides products that deliver on expectations and perform to exacting specifications.
Another key—having a qualified applicator perform the lining or relining preparation and work. Blair Rubber Co. services companies across the globe. Call today to find out which liner might best service your specific oil and gas applications: (800) 321-5583.