On July 10, Sitech Services signed a distribution agreement with CorrosionRADAR, the provider of state-of-the-art corrosion detection solutions. This agreement marks an important development for Sitech Services, which has been operating as an independent company within the Ebert HERA Esser Group as of June 1 and will focus more on external collaborations for the purpose of optimising its services for customers. With this collaboration, both companies are taking an important step towards the future of predictive maintenance and asset management, in which data and insights are used to act proactively and optimise the performance of industrial assets.
The partnership between Sitech Services and CorrosionRADAR bodes well for the industry. The use of advanced technologies such as CorrosionRADAR’s corrosion detection system is going to contribute to a safer, more efficient and sustainable working environment for companies in the process industry. It is part of the strategy to use data to optimise plant maintenance, get ahead of repairs and help asset owners to tet the most out of their plants in a sustainable way.
The partnership between Sitech Services and CorrosionRADAR highlights the importance of collaboration in the industry, especially when dealing with complex challenges such as corrosion under insulation. From left to right Mehrdad Salitani (COO CorrosionRADAR), Chiraz Ennaceur (CEO CorrosionRADAR) and Rob Gulickers (Director Technology & Innovation Sitech)
Detecting humidity before rust has a chance
CorrosionRADAR and Sitech use sensors that are applied directly to assets. This approach allows Sitech to monitor the condition of assets in real-time for its customers, detecting corrosion processes and predicting future damage. Deviations in temperature are the crucial factor: detecting humidity before corrosion through oxidation can occur makes targeted intervention possible and cheaper. A column or pipe no longer needs to be completely unpacked.
Successful pilot at AnQore on Chemelot
The partnership between Sitech Services and CorrosionRADAR began with a successful pilot at AnQore, in which the corrosion detection system was implemented on a column. Technology Manager of Sitech Peter Bosmans: “The aim was to investigate whether the system was able to predict corrosion problems before they would lead to serious damage. During the pilot, the system triggered us on a leak in the column’s insulation even before structural damage had occurred. This allowed the problem to be fixed in time, at a lower cost, convincing AnQore of the system’s effectiveness.”
At AnQore, we are very interested in new innovative techniques that allow us to monitor the condition of our assets even better.
Tom Pijls, Chief Operation Officer AnQore
Expanding partnership
AnQore now plans to expand the system further and apply it to other critical pipelines and columns. Work on this may begin as early as September. This will enable proactive action and timely identification of potential problems, preventing unplanned downtime and high repair costs. Chief Operations Officer Tom Pijls of AnQore is very pleased with the results achieved: “At AnQore, we are very interested in new innovative techniques that allow us to monitor the condition of our assets even better. Understanding more about corrosion under insulation is very important to ensure the integrity of our installations.”
The partnership between Sitech Services and CorrosionRADAR began with a successful pilot at AnQore, where the corrosion detection system was implemented on a column.
Minimising downtime
For managers and asset owners, using CorrosionRADAR’s corrosion detection system offers many benefits. It minimises unplanned downtime and thus increases asset availability. It also reduces maintenance costs and improves operational efficiency. Bosmans says: “By applying prescriptive maintenance, recommending specific actions based on predictive insights, companies can avoid breakdowns and unplanned costs, extend the lifetime of assets and improve the reliability of their systems. This results in huge environmental, resource and cost savings.”
Optimal approach
In the past, action was taken when a problem occurred, but this resulted in a cycle where problems repeatedly occurred. Bosmans is sure that every plant manager wants to eliminate risks precisely: “Obviously, you want to be in control and not experience unexpected damage. Detecting water in isolation is a root cause of a failure mechanism that involves significant costs. There always were two approaches to tackle this problem: over-inspection, where everything is unpacked and inspected regardless of whether there is a problem, or letting it linger and being surprised when an asset starts leaking. Both approaches have drawbacks and are relatively costly, so the optimum lies in a balance between inspection and a targeted repair following a sensor warning. Exactly what Sitech’s collaboration with CorrosionRADAR makes possible for every plant in the Netherlands.”
The partnership between Sitech Services and CorrosionRADAR fits within the trend of predictive maintenance and the use of advanced data technologies in the industry.
Rob Gulickers, Director Technology & Innovation Sitech
From repairing to predicting
Director Technology & Innovation Rob Gulickers of Sitech highlights the shift from reactive to proactive failure prevention through scheduled inspections and predictive technologies, the P3M approach (from preventive to predictive and final to prescriptive maintenance). Gulickers says: “The partnership between Sitech Services and CorrosionRADAR fits within the trend of predictive and preventive maintenance and the use of advanced data technologies in the industry. By combining sensor data with other relevant data, such as production data and maintenance data, companies can gain a better understanding of the condition and performance of their assets. This enables them to proactively address issues and increase efficiency.”
Integrating innovative technologies
Sitech plans to enter more partnerships with suppliers of innovative technologies in the future to further expand its portfolio of services. Partnering with specialist companies such as CorrosionRADAR will enable asset owners to be even better supported in optimising their pipes, columns and vessels, thereby improving operational efficiency. Bosmans: “Aging factories no longer run at full capacity. Due to all kinds of factors, production is being scaled back in many places. Through smart maintenance and targeted intervention, together we ensure that factories operate at maximum efficiency within these frameworks.”
Understanding more about corrosion under insulation is very important to ensure the integrity of our facilities.
Tom Pijls, Chief Operation Officer AnQore
Working together on the future of industry
For CorrosionRADAR, this distribution agreement with Sitech Services represents a unique opportunity to bring their corrosion detection solutions to a wider audience. As a well-established player in the industry, Sitech Services has a strong network of customers and relationships, giving CorrosionRADAR access to new markets and opportunities for growth and expansion. The partnership between Sitech Services and CorrosionRADAR also highlights the importance of collaboration in the industry, especially when it comes to addressing complex challenges such as corrosion under insulation. By joining forces and networks and leveraging each other’s expertise and technologies, companies can jointly develop innovative solutions that add value to their customers. “So the distribution agreement with CorrosionRADAR will certainly not be the last collaboration,” Gulickers announces confidently.
Eric Schoonbrood Sourcing manager Sitech (l) and Rob Gulickers Director Technology & Innovation.
