Positive green impact
High safety
A major industrial storage facility required the complete removal of aged protective coatings from a large above-ground steel tank as part of a scheduled rehabilitation program. The tank had accumulated multiple coating layers over decades, creating thickness and adhesion challenges that demanded full surface preparation prior to recoating.
The facility operated under strict environmental and safety regulations, making traditional abrasive blasting a high-risk and logistically complex option.
Conventional surface preparation methods would have required extensive containment structures, large volumes of abrasive media, and complex waste disposal procedures. Airborne particulates, noise levels, and secondary contamination posed additional operational concerns.
Beyond environmental exposure, abrasive blasting risked surface profile damage and extended downtime due to setup and cleanup requirements. The asset owner required a solution that would reduce disruption while maintaining full compliance and preparation quality.
RPR deployed its proprietary induction-based coating removal system to treat the external steel surface of the tank. The technology applies controlled thermal energy directly into the steel substrate, breaking the adhesive bond between coating and metal at the molecular interface.
Rather than shattering coatings into dust, the process allows them to separate cleanly in solid sheets and flakes. This eliminates the need for abrasive media and significantly reduces airborne particulates.
The system was mobilised with substantially less containment infrastructure compared to traditional blasting operations, enabling a more streamlined and controlled setup.
