Page 36: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Jan/Feb 2025)

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TECH FEATURE COATINGS infrastructure like wind turbines, oil platforms and subsea and use to eventual disposal.

pipelines. For instance, in recent internal abrasion resis- Complementing this, digital modeling employs ad- tance tests, PPG's reinforced novolac epoxy coatings out- vanced computational tools to simulate the performance performed styrene-free unsaturated polyester coatings by of coatings in various environments. This predictive ca- 30%–40% in reducing wear and damage caused by the pability allows for optimized coating systems speci?cally harsh offshore environment, thereby enhancing the dura- tailored for different applications—whether protecting a bility of critical infrastructure. wind turbine from salt spray or ensuring that an oil rig's understructure remains impervious to chemicals and sea- water. By forecasting the long-term behavior of coatings,

GUIDE BETTER CHOICES

The longevity and sustainability of offshore energy digital modeling supports proactive maintenance strate- infrastructure—whether in wind, solar, or oil and gies, reducing the likelihood of unexpected failures and gas—is evaluated through life cycle assessment (LCA) ensuring steady, reliable operations.

and digital modeling. These tools guide maintenance

LOOKING AHEAD and reliability experts to make sustainable and ef?cient coating choices. In the LCA process, specialists evaluate A specialized protective coatings partner helps operators the environmental impact of coating solutions through- maximize asset lifespan while meeting sustainability goals. out their entire life cycle. This provides critical insights The right coating system protects and extends equipment that help asset owners select solutions that protect their life, reducing the need for replacements and supporting infrastructure and minimize their environmental foot- circular economy principles. By keeping critical compo- prints. This holistic approach includes assessing the im- nents in service longer, operators achieve both economic pact from raw material extraction through application and environmental objectives.

CASE STUDY:

EXTENDING THE LIFE OF OFFSHORE WIND ASSETS

A recent evaluation assessed the performance of styrene-free unsaturated polyester (UPE) glass ?ake coatings against reinforced novolac epoxy coatings for protecting off- shore wind tower foundations. These coatings underwent comprehensive internal and third-party testing, including abrasion resistance, cathodic disbonding and impact dam- age, adhering to industry standards such as ASTM and NORSOK. Results showed that reinforced novolac epoxy coatings offer superior resistance to abrasion, stress cracking and corrosion compared to UPE coatings. Choosing coatings that meet rigorous per- formance criteria enables stakeholders to extend the service life of wind towers, reduce maintenance costs and support the long-term success of offshore wind projects.

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