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Scrubbers leading to increased pipework repairs due to corrosion

Underwater repair specialist Hydrex says it has seen a correlation between the fitting of scrubbers and increased pipework repairs due to corrosion.

Marcus Hand, Editor

February 15, 2018

1 Min Read
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Hydrex said its technicians had recently carried out pipe replacements on 270m shuttle tankers where water that had scrubbed the exhaust gases corroded the pipework leading to water ingress.

“Corroded scrubber pipework and discharge outlets is a serious problem, and we’re seeing more and more of it,” said Dave Bleyenberg, Hydrex production executive.

In the case of the shuttle tankers the corroded parts of the pipe were cut away and replaced with the installation of a new flange and diffuser which were fabricated onsite. The internal surface of the new pipe was coated using Ecospeed, a highly chemical resistant coating product from Hydrex’s sister company Subsea Industries.

“Taking into account the nature of the process taking place inside a scrubber, this is essential for a lasting protection of the pipe,” said Bleyenberg.

The problems with corrosion are not restricted to the two shuttle tankers. “We have noted an increase in repairs to corroded pipework and outlets, which does appear to correspond with the increase in the number of ships fitted with scrubbers,” he said.

“These systems remove harmful sulphur oxide compounds from the exhaust gasses of marine diesel engines burning high-sulphur heavy fuel oils. However, the resulting residue removed from these gases can have a rapid and highly corrosive effect on the scrubbers’ internal pipework and outlets.”

Scrubbers are one of the alternatives available to owners to meet low sulphur fuel requirements in Emission Control Areas, and the 0.5% global sulphur cap for marine fuel from 2020.

About the Author

Marcus Hand

Editor

Marcus Hand is the editor of Seatrade Maritime News and a dedicated maritime journalist with over two decades of experience covering the shipping industry in Asia.

Marcus is also an experienced industry commentator and has chaired many conferences and round tables. Before joining Seatrade at the beginning of 2010, Marcus worked for the shipping industry journal Lloyd's List for a decade and before that the Singapore Business Times covering shipping and aviation.

In November 2022, Marcus was announced as a member of the Board of Advisors to the Singapore Journal of Maritime Talent and Technology (SJMTT) to help bring together thought leadership around the key areas of talent and technology.

Marcus is the founder of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast that delivers commentary, opinions and conversations on shipping's most important topics.

Conferences & Webinars

Marcus Hand regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

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