Cryogenic Storage
Pirta paint has the potential to enhance the operational efficiency of any industry that uses cryogenic storage such as oxygen and nitrogen.
Stainless or carbon steel refrigeration and cryogenic tanks are used to store chemicals in low temperature conditions and gaseous commodities in their liquid form, also known as cryogenic liquids. These liquids include Oxygen, Nitrogen, Argon, Helium, Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), Ethylene, Ammonia, and Hydrogen, all of which must be stored at temperatures of at least -160 ℃. Traditional storage tanks face challenges associated with heat from the air and heating from the sun causing vaporization, which can result in significant energy and product loss and reduced product integrity over time. With the global focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, industries are seeking innovative and cost-effective solutions to mitigate these losses and enhance the performance of their gas commodity storage operations.
At Pirta, we recognize the critical nature of maintaining cryogenic temperatures, and our coating is specifically engineered to withstand extreme conditions while delivering exceptional results. Pirta paint offers a ground breaking solution for stainless steel and carbon steel cryogenic and refrigerated storage tanks in two distinct markets:
Large (>50 m3) stationary cryogenic tanks
Large stationary cryogenic tanks are utilized in energy generation, metal processing facilities, agro-industrial and chemical complexes, and other energy-intensive industries. Despite refrigerated and cryogenic tanks being equipped with a double-layered vacuum insulation, a pressure relief system, and a safety valve, venting and solar and air heating causes cryogenic liquids to boil —also known as “boil-off loss”— causing a drastic pressure increase inside the tank as well as mechanical stress to the tank’s structure.
Pirta can reduce both energy consumption and the normal evaporation rate (NER), a key tank performance metric. When applied to the tank's external surface, Pirta paint excels at reflecting solar radiation, reducing the surface’s temperature and minimizing the tank’s internal heat transfer and heat absorption.
Small to mid-size (3-50 m3) point-of-use cryogenic tanks
Small to mid-sized point-of-use cryogenic tanks are commonly found in research labs, electronics, medical facilities, and specialized applications that require quick and convenient access to cryogenic liquids such as oxygen.
Pirta paint has undergone extensive testing and validation to ensure superior performance, durability, and compliance with safety regulations in a variety of settings. The internal temperature of tanks housed outdoors and painted with Pirta paint will be more stable on hot days and in direct sunlight than traditional tanks. Those housed indoors will still receive benefit due to the high emissivity of our paint that allows heat to be released from a surface.
“Incorporating the right insulation materials and state-of-the-art coating systems, such as Pirta paint, can make a big difference in terms of energy utilization for cooling, chemical volumetric savings, and robustness against possible failure of the tank’s active heating system.”
— Scott Fleming
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