Reglassing is the process by which older or damaged glass-lined steel equipment is refurbished to like-new condition. All glass-lined reactors, tanks, columns, and accessories such as covers, agitators and baffles, can be reglassed if the steel substrate is in good or repairable condition.
How is equipment reglassed?
The process starts once a vessel has been inspected and approved as a candidate for reglass. Next, the old glass lining is removed by grit blasting. After any steel repairs and modifications are complete, De Dietrich proceeds with the glassing process. Here we fuse corrosion resistant 3009 glass onto the prepared steel in our computer controlled electric furnaces. Finally external protective coatings are applied via De Dietrich's epoxy system. The end product is a high quality, glass-lined steel vessel or accessory.
Benefits
Reglassing is ideal for situations when time and cost are a primary issue. The turnaround time is within weeks versus months to fabricate a new vessel and there is nearly a 50% cost savings compared to buying a new vessel. Additionally, upgrades such as OptiMix baffles, extra nozzles and insulation rings can be added. All vessels reglassed by De Dietrich come with the same standard warranty as new vessels, ensuring you are receiving a vessel "as good as new". De Dietrich also offers reglassing on competitors' equipment.
When is reglassing needed?
The addition of more plugs, patches or sleeves becomes uneconomical, or results in a repair of questionable integrity
Spalling of the glass due to nascent hydrogen attack
Galvanic corrosion caused by the use of dissimilar metals in the reactor, like dip pipes, valves and/or repair plugs
Substantial damage caused from the loss of a repair plug
Build up of extremely corrosive or erosive products from batch type operations and pilot operations
Contamination of jacket heating and cooling media, causing accelerated corrosion at the bottom closure ring
Lack of venting, which can allow corrosion-producing air pockets at the top jacket closure ring
Damage caused from a component being welded to the substrate during replacement
Accidental damage to the lining of the vessel
Mechanical damage, e.g. a workman drops a tool or other object he shouldn't have in his pocket
Poor workmanship on a repair
Thermal shock or stress beyond the safe limits of the glass
Where is reglassing performed?
All reglassing done by De Dietrich is performed in the USA, in accordance to the ASME and NBIC code, at our state-of-the-art glassing facility in Corpus Christi, Texas.
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