MTM Metalizing recently coated a Process Column with TSA (Thermally Sprayed Aluminium) for a petrochemical refinery expansion project in Singapore. Standing 75 meters tall and weighing in at 373 tons, MTM Metalizing worked through the nights and under strict customer's specifications to complete the job. The coating applicators and equipment had to pass a prequalification practical test in order to be allowed to coat the process vessel. Six applicators sat and all passed the prequalification with flying colours in one day.

An area of over 1,100m2 of TSA coating was applied in a 3 week time frame, despite poor weather conditions. Regular daily QC checks to ensure adherence to the specification were carried out. The vessel support skirt was painted with a 3 coat system in additional to the TSA coating on the body. Following the TSA coating, insulation was installed on the vessel prior to shipping the vessel out by barge to the installation location. The TSA was required, to prevent CUI (Corrosion under Insulation) from occurring during the life of the vessel. Several major oil companies have studied the benefits of TSA and have concluded that TSA is the best solution in preventing CUI.