Temati offers unique solutions for LNG insulation systems
Industrial design and construction are exciting challenges that require special attention for maintaining the system's vapour barrier and the prevention of corrosion-under-insulation (C.U.I.).
Ineffective solutions can drastically increase maintenance costs and reduce both plant-performance and the economic life of production units. Temati is an experienced player with both proven solutions and new offerings for the LNG industry, with a focus on providing components for thermal insulation for cryogenic plants and equipment. The company is the sole European licensee for the Foster range of coatings, sealants and adhesives.
A new management team led by Frank Scheerder initiated an expansion program and a different market philosophy in 2003, including territorial expansion and a new market-product approach. Focus is on LNG industry, off-shore and shipping industry.
‘Although Temati was started in 1962, the biggest leap forward was made after the year 2003. Existing branches in The Netherlands and Germany have been complemented by offices in the UK and France and this year new branches will be started up in Ireland, Romania and Czech Republic', said Scheerder. ‘The rest of Europe is now covered by specialist distributors in most European countries, while the international business is handled by Temati's Head Office in the Netherlands. This new office was opened in June 2007 to keep up with our expansion'.
The loss of experience in the LNG engineering and contracting fields, aggravated by excessive workload, due to the many ongoing projects, altered Temati's function in the marketplace. The company said it was increasingly being asked to provide solutions for specific problems and to give technical advice on its products and their application. Scheerder added: 'So we changed from being a product-supplier into a solution-provider. The focus is no longer on individual products, but on market requirements and complete application solutions'.
Temati now follows a company-specific strategy to solve contract problems and requirements. For this purpose, the company hired Project Manager Johan Sentjens, who is an engineer with many years of insulation experience. It is his job to follow up on projects from the design and engineering stage, through to the on-site application. Temati has offered its solutions with success in the LNG market with involvement in several international projects, such as: Bintulu - Malaysia, Snow-white - Norway, Reganosa - Spain, Fos Cavaou - France, South Hook - UK, Sines - Portugal.
‘The thermal insulation on cryogenic plant and equipment is definitely a case to be solved', said Sentjens. ‘Without a well-designed insulation system a lot can go wrong and we've got the experience and know-how to offer the support that's needed, all the way'. Temati provides a number of vital components for LNG insulation systems, including the primary and secondary vapour barriers, sealants, adhesives and all ancillary products. ‘But we want to go further', Sentjens added. ‘To assist users in material selection and application, we have launched a new website www.temati.com and designed selection guides for specific temperature ranges. You have to realize the primary vapour barrier is probably the most critical component of the system and depending on conditions and requirements, we have several solutions, ranging from wet coatings, such as Foster® to foils, such as Tembutil-IFTM'.
Scheerder again: 'We want to be able to offer our customers a solution that really makes the difference. A solution our customers can rely on, even under the most severe conditions. So we invest in quality. Quality of people, products, technical know-how and logistical support. We offer practical solutions with products that are manufactured to do the job. We only deal in quality, high quality on all levels'.
Temati sees great potential too for its Corrosion-Under-Insulation (C.U.I.) prevention products. ‘C.U.I. is a serious and often underestimated threat to plant and equipment', said Sentjens. ‘It is such a waste of time and money to see the wrong and ineffective solutions applied.' Temati has introduced a product-line with materials to help prevent and control C.U.I.. Its Protectem* FlangebeltsTM provide protection to (un)insulated flanges in crucial areas. By installing this product with drip tubes in LNG applications, the risk of leaking flanges remaining undetected under the insulations, can be eliminated. The drip tube extending through the insulation will not only indicate leakage, but also create a single gas detection point outside the insulation.
‘We are constantly looking at ways of improving our performance. What can we do more to solve our customer's problems even better? With our international branches and distributor-network, and our contact with both the engineers and the people working on-site, we keep ‘in touch' with our customers and their concerns' said Scheerder. ‘We now have several product-groups, of which each is focussed on requirements and conditions in different markets. Supplying the right quality products and solutions and maintaining that high quality, is self-evident for us. We need to be the people our customers want to turn to'.