SplashTRON® is a yellow elastomer coating that bonds strongly to the steel piping used for offshore operations. While primarily used for "splash zone" protection, several SplashTRON® products that offer customized protection—depending on the needs of the crew—are available through us. In this article, we will discuss the different types of protection offered by SplashTRON®.
1. Splash zone protection for structural members
The ebb and flow of the tide exposes metal surfaces, such as legs and risers, to a constant cycle of wetting and drying. This area is referred to as "the splash zone." The effects are two-fold: the waves erode the metal members, and the exposure to oxygen leads to corrosion. Structural members are also exposed to impact from debris and boats.
SplashTRON® addresses this issue by bonding to the metal surface exposed to the splash zone. The product has great weatherability and insulation, resists damage from impact, and requires little to no maintenance. Additional benefits include resistance to marine life, fungus, and oils.
2. Protection for J-tubes
The J-tube is the vertical section of the pipe that connects the seabed pipeline to the platform's pipeline. SplashTRON®'s pipeline coating will ensure electrical insulation and corrosion protection. SplashTRON®'s products also include pipeline plugs, which seal off the annulus, keep the pipeline in the tube centralized, and keeps the corrosion inhibitor within the J-tube.
3. Protection for riser clamps
Riser clamps are used to connect and support vertical runs of piping. SplashTRON®'s riser clamps are more durable and more resistant to chemicals due to the vulcanization curing process. The rubber is exposed to high heat and chemical additives such as sulfur.
4. Repair protection
SplashTRON®'s repair compound is an SRC-90 paste designed for the repair or rehabilitation of SplashTRON®. The paste can also be used as an adhesive to adhere SplashTRON® to steel. Like SplashTRON® itself, the compound is designed for long-term exposure to saltwater.
5. Protection against biofuels
Offshore equipment and platforms are prone to marine growth such as algae and mussels. In some cases, the growth can be up to three feet thick and weigh up to 150 pounds per cubic foot. Bio-Shield is an antifouling coating made of SplashTRON® and copper-nickel, designed to prevent marine life from attaching to platform members and conductors.
6. Other protection uses in the field
It's possible that certain welded fields require a continuous use of SplashTRON® due to the vulnerabilities already discussed. SplashTRON® offers field kits, where users attach the pipeline sleeves using Splash Cote 2216 that is prepared on their own. Heat shrink sleeves are also available to place over the SplashTRON® sleeve if the SplashTRON® sleeve was worked or stressed.
SplashTRON® also offers half shells which provide protection for pipeline railroad crossings, road crossings, touchdown areas and others. These are prepared using a similar process to the field kits.
7. Protection for river/road crossings
SplashTRON® can also be used for onshore construction projects, but the pullback needs to be handled properly. The constant pulling and stopping to weld sections could lead to a partial or complete collapse of the crossing. Furthermore, this process could also affect the coating and piping. SplashTRON® addresses this issue due to its strength, its insulation and the protection it offers from corrosion.