RPR Technologies Coating Removal
The induction disbonder works by the principle of induction. Heat is generated in the steel substrate and the bonding is broken. The coating is then removed entirely without disintegrating and completely free from contaminating agents, i.e. blast media.
This obviously makes disposal and recycling of waste easier and cheaper. Even inside the pittings and cracks in the surface the coating is disbonded.
Why use RPR Technologies
- > High Stripping Rates
- > Minimised Waste Disposal
- > Operator Friendly
- > Environment
Especially effective in removing floor- and inner-wall lining resulting in shorter down time.
Above all, this method does not add any grit or water media that needs transport, processing and disposal.
* No high pressure
* Quiet operation
* No air-born dust emissions
* Less protective gear needed
Most importantly – the Coating Removal On Storage Tanks is safe for the operator or nearby workers carrying out other maintenance or inspection work.
* Easy waste containment
* Minimal risk of local contamination
* About 75% less energy consumption compared with traditional methods
* Use of RPR Induction for coatings removal gives no grit or water deposits. Therefore, transport cost and emissions is reduced to a minimum.
RPR Technologies AS, with their unique patented solutions is the world’s leading provider of induction paint removal systems for steel surfaces on marine vessels, buildings, power plants, bridges, tanks, oil processing industry, offshore platforms, pipelines, etc. The RPR Induction system is economic in use and can achieve removal rates that are more than twice as fast as traditional systems at lower energy consumption with no handling of grit or water.
Coatings removal by RPR Induction
The technology operates by using a generator producing high frequency electric currents transferred to magnetic steel by moving an inductor head over the surface, facilitating a localized controlled and fast heating of the steel. The heat is produced underneath the coating, resulting in quick and clean disbonding of most types of coatings with thickness up to 20mm-25mm.
Removal rates of 30m²/h. or more can be achieved depending on type of coatings, conditions and film thickness. The RPR induction system can remove most type of coatings such as passive fire protection (PFP), glass-fiber coatings (GRP), reinforced epoxy, anti-skid (Epoxies), 3 LPE and thick rubber coatings.
The RPR system requires a minimum steel thickness of 5mm to avoid damage on the backside coatings or insulation material used.
In certain cases, a quick sweep blast may be necessary to achieve specific requirements of the surface profile.
Environmentally friendly induction technology
Due to its unique environmental friendly and efficient properties, RPR’s induction technology is used worldwide, with a growing demand for many applications, replacing other traditional stripping methods, such as chemicals, abrasives or ultra-high water pressure jetting (UHP). Compared with such competitive systems, this controlled induction method produces low levels of gas, no airborne particle emissions and no contaminated water or sand emissions. It is virtually noiseless and facilitates a safer working environment for the operators and co-workers.
According to Norwegian National Institute of Technology, the typical energy consumption of the induction system is between 25% and 30% to that of abrasive blasting or UHP water.
RPR Technologies AS with two consortium partners has recently been granted EU funding (ECO Innovation) of a project called GreenTank, aiming to develop robotic solutions for fast and environmentally friendly stripping of coatings on storage tanks.
The RPR system requires a minimum steel thickness of 5mm to avoid damage on the backside coatings or insulation material used.
In certain cases, a quick sweep blast may be necessary to achieve specific requirements of the surface profile.
Efficient coatings removal and reduced waste handling
While the technology can be used on most paints and coatings it is particularly efficient on thick and resilient systems where one would have to use large quantities of grit or water, or even chisel to remove otherwise.
Easy containment and no contaminated deposits of sand or water make induction not only practical on tough surfaces but also for removal of coatings containing hazardous substances such as asbestos, lead or PCB. Unlike blasting methods, induction does not break the coating into small particles, but it rather comes off in strips and flakes for easy bagging and containment.