When global energy service company Dalkia was faced with a situation when it required to protect its expensive equipment on a contract for a district cooling project in the UAE, it turned to Cortec’s corrosion control technologies.

Dalkia was awarded the design-and-build contract by ADC Energy Systems for the district cooling project on Saadiyat Island. The chillers arrived significantly earlier than the commissioning date of the plant and needed preservation until use. Dalkia required a solution that would effectively mitigate corrosion on its chillers for two years while withstanding 50 deg C temperatures, extreme UV (ultraviolet) radiation, lashing winds and a high-chloride environment.

Vapour Phase Corrosion Inhibitor (VpCI) technology was proposed to Dalkia to effectively mitigate the effects of corrosion upon the chillers at Saadiyat Island, and it selected three specific products by Cortec to prevent corrosion and damage of the equipment during the temporary storage period.

Firstly, Cortec’s VpCI-309 Pouch was placed in the water headers. Constructed from breathable Tyvek, it allows the VpCI molecules to be emitted through the membrane and form a molecular layer on metal surfaces providing corrosion protection.

VpCI-111 emitters were then placed in the control panels. These provide corrosion protection for metal components and parts enclosed in non-ventilated control or toll boxes and cabinets.

Finally, MilCorr VpCI Shrink Film was wrapped around all chillers. This heavy-duty film provides a top-notch universal protection system with high UV light protection to maintain the integrity of the film itself as well as the parts packaged within.

“Dalkia adopted Cortec’s VpCI technology solution because it provided contemporary, safe and efficient, long-term preservation against corrosion while minimising inspection, costs, and replacement compared with traditional methods,” says the spokesman.