From oil rigs and offshore windfarms to skyscrapers in busy cities, Trelleborg supplies products and solutions that help to seal, damp and protect applications associated with power and heat.
As the world’s population grows and industrialization becomes increasingly predominant, the demand for energy is escalating. At the same time, climate change, attributed to the greenhouse effect, imposes demands for cleaner and alternative energy sources combined with enhanced thermal management.
Today’s power generation takes a multitude of shapes and forms. For example, in nuclear facilities, rubber linings from Trelleborg help protect the workforce and environment, while specialist bearings play a critical role in hydroelectric facilities. Renewable energy has been a major focus area for Trelleborg, and its solutions are or will be featured in wind, wave, solar and biofuel technologies. Since the early days of wind power technology, multitudes of Trelleborg seals have ensured the effective operation of turbines.
In oil and gas production, safety is paramount. In offshore facilities, the main purpose of a variety of Trelleborg’s products is to provide protection in extreme conditions. This includes Elastopipe, rubber-based flexible piping developed for sprinkler and deluge systems that can operate in the intense heat of jet fires.
Automotive engineers focus on maximizing power generation from fuel and advanced damping, and sealing solutions from Trelleborg are a factor in this work. Newly developed materials can seal and protect systems utilizing alternative fuels and the latest fuel-cell technology.
In planes, trains and automobiles, climate-control systems allow passengers to travel in comfort, providing heat in cold temperatures and keeping them cool during heat waves. These systems are made more effective using a wide range of rubber elements from Trelleborg.
Air conditioning systems in buildings are sealed with advanced elastomers that can withstand aggressive chemicals. Window seals and profiles help to keep in heat, and when combined with roofing products, a variety of thermal-management specifications are fulfilled that result in the reduction of total energy requirements.
Heat-resistant roofing membranes
Since roofing membranes are exposed to wear and tear from the sun and the elements on a daily basis, it is crucial that they are resistant to UV radiation, as this increases the lifetime of the products. A Mataki Elastofol roofing membrane can withstand UV radiation for approximately 40 years.
When selecting a roofing membrane, consideration should also be given to such aspects as shrinkage, tear strength and environmental requirements. The Mataki Elastofol roofing membranes are made from TPE-modified bitumen (TPE is a thermoplastic elastomer). They contain no halogens, copper or lead pollutants, which can damage the environment if leaked into roof runoff. Trelleborg’s roofing membranes can withstand high water pressures and have a high degree of dimensional stability, meaning that shrinkage is nearly non-existent – even at elevated temperatures.
Protecting the quest for new energy
Global demand for the extraction of hydrocarbons from new, deeper and more demanding waters has led to contractors and operators facing an increasing number of challenges. Trelleborg Offshore engineers high-integrity polymer solutions for the harshest offshore environments – for topside, surface, subsea and seabed segments of the offshore oil and gas market.
Topside solutions include active and passive fire protection, corrosion protection and bend control. Surface solutions comprise buoyancy, fendering and specialist cable protection. Subsea solutions, often required to withstand extremely high hydrostatic pressures, include subsea mooring and support. Trelleborg’s seabed products have a proven track record for offering protection against impact and abrasion for cables and pipelines. With a wealth of experience in insulation design and development, Trelleborg also supports a critical part of deepwater developments – namely, flow assurance.
Lining the power plant
In 2007, Trelleborg Bakker supplied the rubber lining for the cooling-water system at the E.ON Maasvlakte power plant in Rotterdam, the largest conventional power plant in the Netherlands. The lining protects the steel of the cooling-water tunnel pipes, turbines and condensers.
In this industry, corrosion is one of the main reasons behind high repair costs. The early replacement of parts is often the result of the degradation of steel due to chemicals, gases and vapors. Rubber is the ideal material for the demanding environment of cooling-water systems. It is flexible, and can therefore adapt to deformations caused by temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, it has excellent impact and abrasive resistance, is impermeable to water and can easily be used within a relatively wide temperature range.
In addition to its role as a supplier, Trelleborg Bakker was also involved in inspections and systems proposals, as well as the execution of repairs and systems upgrades at the power plant.
This article was supplied by Trelleborg. For more information, visit www.trelleborg.com.