
Tata BlueScope Steel’s ZINCALUME® steel Jacketing of over 3.5 lakh sqm of piping and equipment at Jamnagar Refinery
The thermal insulation for piping especially in processing industry, plays a vital role. It is highly imperative to maintain the required temperatures of fluids or gases. In applications like hot / cold insulation (e.g. Turbines, Boilers, Pressure Vessels, chemical processes in Refineries / Petrochemicals, Pharma and Metallurgical industries for equipment, Piping & critical cryogenic processes)/ Properly designed Insulation System enables achieving targets set through energy conservation, implementing the designed insulation system, and best erection practices at work site.

The 55% aluminum-zinc alloy coating provides both long-term corrosion resistance of aluminum, along with galvanic protection of zinc against scratches and cut edges. ZINCALUME® steel jacketing outlasts regular galvanized steel in marine salt spray and industrial atmospheres for a long lasting installation. It provides superior fire resistance and protection compared to aluminum. The special alloy coating of aluminum and zinc combines the best properties of both the metals; it has the corrosion resistance, high temperature oxidation resistance, and heat reflectivity of aluminum with the formability and galvanic protection of cut edges (typical characteristic of zinc).

The pipes are either insulated with Rockwool, or Polyurethane foam as per the process requirement. It is recommended that the density and thickness of insulation should be carefully calculated so that the temperature transmitted to external jacketing does not exceed more than 450°C to 50°C. Though ZINCALUME® steel can perform upto 350°C before alloy metallic coating, embitterment occurs but the resin will flash off by 200°C. Hence, it is recommended that in no case the temperature on external ZINCALUME® steel sheet should exceed 150°C for better performance of the product.

On talking about the project, CR Kulkarni, Chief of Sales & CQH - Tata BlueScope Steel, said, "Jamnagar Refinery has used ZINCALUME® steel G300 AZ185 in various thicknesses. It is expected to give a life ratio of around 1.25:1.50 to that of AZ150 coating in marine and industrial environment. At Jamnagar, till date, around 3.5 lakh square meters of piping and equipment has been jacketed with ZINCALUME® steel and we expect similar requirements in the future."