American Energy Technologies Co. (AETC) is proud to announce that the company had the privilege to present at the MDA PMPB (Parts, Materials, and Processes Board) Meeting #21 in Huntsville, Alabama on September 18 and 19, 2018. The presentation, entitled “Top Coatings and Enhanced Cathodic Protection Capability for High-Value BMDS MDA Assets,” was given by a representative, and the company would like to take this opportunity to recognize a group of co-authors on the paper originating this research. In particular, AETC would like to acknowledge the many contributions of its employees Amanda Flaxman, Brian Wells, and Derek Schaltz. The presentation has recently been approved for public release, and distribution is unlimited, according to 18-MDA-9753 (22 Aug 18).
The cost of corrosion is high, adding up to $1 trillion a year in the United States alone. Developing better corrosion prevention technologies could save an estimated one-third of this cost. AETC demonstrated this technology using a model installation in Europe that could save over $3.5 million per year. Additionally, the service life of metals was improved to ensure asset’s useful operational life expectancy of 50 years, with repair intervals increased to 10 years to limit maintenance costs. The model installation employed advanced anti-corrosion paint technology, including a zinc-rich epoxy base primer, spherical graphite-filled polyurethane or CARC (Chemical Agent Resistant Coating) top coat, cathodic protection by impressed current, coated cylindrical titanium anodes, and graphite packing material with increased level of springback.
As AETC addressed in the presentation, this technology has the potential to bridge major gaps in current anti-corrosion technologies. The coatings are US-made, affordable, and lightweight, surviving even in remote areas. The technology decreases both capital cost and cost over time, reducing necessary maintenance to allow more sustainable operation.
A portion of this project involves the creation of a pilot processing reactor for the synthesis of graphitized cokes, coals, and graphites. This reactor will purify graphitic precursor pigment to the correct composition for AETC’s anti-corrosion coating formulation.
AETC also presented on their newly-designed resiliency mold. Resiliency is the degree to which a bed of powder resists deformation and springs back from the compressed state after pressure has been alleviated. Development began in early 2017, resulting in the fabrication of a working tool for accurate springback measurements in powders by May 2018. The resiliency mold is now employed in AETC’s laboratory testing processes for graphite samples.
A copy of the presentation may be obtained from the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC):
8725 John J. Kingman Road Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060-6218 1.800.225.3842 https://Discover.DTIC.mil