Fluoropolymer linings are a proven cost-effective solution in many corrosive environments. Properly selected, they are less prone to chemical attack and less fragile than other lining options. Fluoropolymer linings can also be repaired and replaced to extend the life span of the equipment they are protecting.

Although dual laminates have been around since the 1960s, finding a universally agreed upon set of best practices for incorporating these fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) thermoplastic-lined products into your tanks and piping systems is nearly impossible. In fact, the first standards for welding of plastics, including liners, were not even introduced until 2015.

When you talk about fluoropolymer lining protection against chemical corrosion and permeation, PFA (perfluoroalkoxy) delivers the highest level of resistance. We can thank the strength of the Fluorine-Carbon bond within the PFA polymer chain for its incredible inertness. These bonds are so tight and enduring that they simply do not allow other atoms or molecules to separate them. This makes PFA the strongest of the fluoropolymers for preventing chemical corrosion, permeation, and reaction.

Since 2005, Electro Chemical Manufacturing has been providing protective fluoropolymer linings for rubber liner repair projects in the Biodiesel Industry. Biodiesel production equipment depends on the use of corrosion-resistant materials. While many plants rely on soybeans to make this sustainable, eco-friendly fuel, an increasing number are using even more corrosive waste oil from the restaurant and foodservices industry as a feedstock.

Picture yourself as the Plant Manager in one of the many industries that relies on specialty alloys, glass linings, or other corrosion-resistant materials to protect your equipment and keep your production running on schedule. You’ve just gone into shut down for annual maintenance. Your inspection team informs you that your critical process vessel is shot and needs to be replaced. Not what you wanted to hear, obviously.

When working with chemicals, the job of a lining is to either stop the chemicals from eating through their containment or to stop the container itself from contaminating the chemicals within. In the first case, we’re fighting chemical corrosion and permeation. In the second, we’re protecting chemicals that require ultra high purity to be effective.

The Dow Chemical Company and Electro Chemical Manufacturing earned the Materials Technology Institute’s (MTI) 2016 Global Value Award for applying Materials Technology Institute (MTI) guidebooks as they collaborated on a scrubber repair project that solved Dow’s corrosion problem while also enabling them to save significant time and money.

PVDF offers excellent chemical corrosion and permeation protection in a wide variety of applications. It’s very effective against chlorinated and brominated solvents. It’s very malleable and easily shaped. When bound to a substrate, depending on the chemicals involved, it’s thermally stable in temperatures up to 230°F. It comes in a range of sheets and resins and is significantly less costly than other fluoropolymers or exotic metal alloys.

Regenerative thermal oxidizing towers (RTOs) depend on the ceramic media within to optimize the tower's performance and efficiency. The selection of ceramic media type can make a significant difference throughout the lifespan of the RTO in terms of time and costs. There are differences and nuances among ceramic media choices. Understanding these differences can help operators and plant managers make a well-informed decision that helps reach target goals for pollutant removal and air quality control while cutting maintenance time and sparing energy expenditures.

The average lifespan of a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) can vary between ten to 20 years or even more. In fact, a well-designed RTO can outlast the personnel working at the facility. However, suppose you think a 20-year-old piece of capital equipment is outdated and not up to par with current operational demands, regulations or the newest efficiency equipment. In that case, the good news is that there are ways to update the RTO process to meet current trends.

What is escaping from your regenerative oxidizing tower (RTO)? Wasted energy could release profits while you strive to capture volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A variety of factors can impact the thermal efficiency of your RTO. The choice of RTO packing material for the ceramic bed can play a critical role in optimizing thermal efficiencies. Optimizing thermal efficiencies directly correlates to energy savings—your choice of ceramic media matters.

Many industries require a regenerative thermal oxidizing (RTO) tower to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to meet environmental compliance standards. The ceramic heat transfer media within the tower acts as an essential element to enable efficient operations. The best tower build or retrofit enables “set it and forget it” operations—requiring little maintenance while supplying trouble-free performance for years to come.

As a previous part of Koch Industries, the second largest privately held company in the United States, many doors opened while our company was part of the Koch Engineered Solutions group. After a divestiture to High Street Capital in December of 2021, we became a new venture under the name Knight Material Technologies. Yet, our central location has always been in northeast Ohio. This new divestiture has also opened doors for us to expand our offerings in innovative solutions, services, and new infrastructure. We also have a blank slate to develop our unique culture and invest in community outreach. And it all started with our sponsorship of a major event over Labor Day weekend this September.

Extremely corrosive processing applications, such as those for sulfuric acid production or hydrometallurgy, require resistant interior linings on equipment to help prevent leaks and corresponding hazardous consequences, including environmental contamination or damaged equipment. Knight Material Technologies (KMT) offers its proprietary PYROFLEX^® sheet membrane liner as an integral part of its system for corrosion protection in autoclaves, chemical processing vessels and equipment that require materials resistant to sulfuric acid.

Increase efficiencies, reduce energy costs and avoid unplanned shutdowns by making the right choice of ceramic media in your regenerative thermal oxidizing (RTO) towers. Both random and structured media from Knight Material Technologies supply the industry’s most effective engineered design to absorb heat, ensure low pressure drop and avoid plugging.