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January 2010 - Cold Weather Preparation

Cold Weather Preparation

Atypical cold weather conditions are occurring in many geographical areas across the Northern Hemisphere.

MacDermid Offshore would like to remind our customers to prepare for the cold weather.

Pure water expands just before freezing and can rupture water pipes at home, but have you considered your equipment operating on water-based systems for the cold-snap?

Equipment can be insulated, fluid can be circulated to add energy, or pour point depressants such as Erifon Stack Glycol can be added to the water or BOP mixture to lower the freezing and subsequent expansion of water. Small control lines are at the greatest risk of expansion and rupture, particularly on the northern side of equipment outdoors and exposed to cold weather outdoors.

Most Oceanic fluids offer freeze protection, however some Erifon products are diluted in the field with water, which raises the freezing point closer to that of water.

Keep in mind:

Check the pour point or freezing point of chemical products that may be subject to cold weather exposure. Water freezes at 32°F or 0°C.

Pour point and freeze point are not exactly the same meaning, but both good indicators of minimum temperature limitations

If adding a pour point depressant, be sure to mix fluids well. Simply adding a pour point depressant is insufficient, mixing is necessary to protect from freezing adequately.

Dead-ends or cavities with poor circulation should be taken into consideration.

Check your supplier's documentation for proper concentration. The following chart is a quick reference to freeze protection offered by Erifon Stack Glycol.