Cortec Corporation is promoting its VpCI-337 waterborne corrosion inhibitor as an alternative to nitrogen blanketing and dry-air systems for preserving idle industrial tanks, process vessels, piping and other enclosed equipment.

Nitrogen blanketing typically requires pressurised gas lines, continuous monitoring and controlled access due to the risk of oxygen displacement. With VpCI-337, maintenance teams fog the ready-to-use fluid into enclosed spaces, where vapour phase corrosion inhibitors diffuse through the internal atmosphere and form a protective molecular layer on exposed metal surfaces.

The approach is designed to reach areas such as internal crevices, tube banks and pipe bends that may be difficult to protect using conventional liquid coatings.

VpCI-337 is a waterborne, low-VOC formulation and is biodegradable. According to Cortec, the treatment leaves a thin protective layer rather than a heavy oily residue, reducing the need for solvent degreasing or chemical stripping before equipment is returned to service.

The company cited applications in the energy sector to demonstrate the technology. At an LNG project in Malaysia, VpCI-337 was fogged into pipe sections and inlet header boxes, providing 24 months of corrosion protection as an alternative to nitrogen blanketing.

At the South Humber Bank Power Station in the UK, the product was applied inside two Heat Recovery Steam Generators during a cold-weather shutdown to protect internal tube banks. Cortec said the application prevented internal corrosion and eliminated corrosion dust during unit start-up.

VpCI-337 is manufactured at CorteCros, Cortec's European production and logistics facility near Split, Croatia. The site supplies markets across Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia and operates on 100 per cent solar power following renewable energy upgrades.

The treatment can be applied to metals including steel, aluminium, cast iron, copper and brass. Applications include power generation equipment, LNG piping, export packaging and double-wall void spaces.

For colder environments, Cortec also offers VpCI-337 Winterized, designed for application and storage at temperatures down to -40°C.

Cortec said the technology can help industrial facilities reduce the operational and safety requirements associated with nitrogen blanketing while maintaining corrosion protection during equipment shutdown and storage.