Butadiene storage sphere at petrochemical facility in Thailand.

A scheduled inspection found severe CUI on the sphere; the operator also suspected corrosion under fireproofing on the leg supports and wanted the lightest possible replacement.

• Severe CUI with cellular glass. Detected during a planned inspection of the butadiene sphere.
• Cold-conservation concerns. The incumbent system was no longer maintaining the design temperature reliably.
• Suspected CUF on leg supports. Operator wanted to limit static load to reduce safety and cost risk.

Cryogel® Z delivered cold conservation, superior CUI defense, and a major static-load reduction on the sphere’s leg supports.

• Significant static-load reduction. On the 82-ft sphere, Cryogel® Z is nearly 18,000 lb lighter than the incumbent.
• Cold-conservation target met. Maintained the design temperature throughout the operating envelope.
• Superior CUI defense. Hydrophobic blanket prevents the moisture pathway that caused the cellular-glass failure.
• CUF protection to leg supports. Reduced load and protected against corrosion under fireproofing.