SolarShell Archives - Unitherm Insulation Systems

April 26, 2012 by Kendal White

Pipes, pipes everywhere, but few that you can see: Solutions for underground equipment

We discussed recently the magnitude of the pipeline system [hyperlink] and the benefits we enjoy as a result, so I think it’s worth expanding on what these behemoths must bear in order to serve our shipping needs.

America is home to 2.3 million miles of pipelines that transport petroleum, sewage, slurry water, and ever beer. Envision that for a moment. 2.3 million miles—the American pipeline could wrap around the earth over 80 times.

According to the US Department of Transportation, to match the shipping capacity of even a modest pipeline, we would need “a constant line of tanker trucks, about 750 per day, loading up and moving out every two minutes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

The majority of pipelines carry hazardous liquids or gas and, for safety and sightly-ness, they often reside underground. This means they must withstand enormous pressure as well as the relentless forces of water, ice, soil, and roots. If left unprotected, pipelines can physically crack or corrode over time.

Pipelines are not only vulnerable underground—the process of transferring and installing them has damaging effects as well. Because of potential risks, many oil and gas companies coat their pipes before moving them to the install site.

One company in particular needed to transport a pipeline .6 miles in length. The route to the install site forced the pipeline under a highway and a canal. They applied a standard paint coating and proceeded to drag the pipe several miles underground. The pipe emerged with substantial damage on the outer coating.

.6 miles of pipeline dragged underground

Before the next attempt, they applied SolarShell fiberglass laminate as a protective layer. The difference was clear. This time, the pipe emerged with no sign of damage. SolarShell not only reinforced the seams and overlaps, but protected all .6 miles of the pipeline.

SolarShell reinforces seams and overlaps

Because SolarShell cures quickly and can be applied by hand without any special equipment, the oil and gas company enjoyed quick turnaround on this project. Plus, the laminate allowed the pipe to flex and bend without cracking, making the install just as easy as the application.

Laminate allows pipe to bend and flex

Bend it, drag it, bury it. With a protective layer of SolarShell, our invaluable pipeline system can stay strong. Even if you don’t work with miles of pipeline, SolarShell can protect the cornerstones of almost any industry. That being said, I’ll leave you with an SAT-style analogy (which hopefully doesn’t conjure up memories of teenage test-day frenzy).

Pipelines : Oil and Gas ::
_______ : Your Industry

March 29, 2012 by Kendal White

Keep the World’s Pipelines in Good Working Order

We are a world on the move. Transportation is key to our way of life, and I’m not just talking about planes, trains, and automobiles here. Sure we move ourselves all the time, but think about all of the commodities we keep in transit. We send packages, parts, products around the world everyday. From space we probably look like busy worker bees in whirlwinds of constant motion.

The invention of modern vehicles transformed the way we operate in daily life—we revere innovators like Henry Ford and the Wright Brothers for their contributions, but rarely do we recognize how important pipelines are in our society

Pipelines allow us to transport any chemically stable substance. We’ve built pipelines for sewage, slurry water, and even beer. But arguably the most valuable are those transporting fuels. I would venture to say that no one in the oil and gas industry underestimates the value of the pipeline.

Since the 19^th century, we have amassed 2.3 million miles of pipelines in the US alone. Compared to other shipping methods, pipelines have lower cost per unit and higher capacity, and they can handle the dirty stuff we don’t really want spilling out into the environment. For this reason, it is absolutely essential that we take good care of our precious pipelines.

This is how SolarShell has entered the oil and gas industry. The fiberglass laminate is great for repairing steel, concrete, insulation glass, and wood applications, but its capabilities don’t end there. With an infrastructure as massive as the pipeline, we must always be planning ahead. SolarShell is a wonderful way to prevent corrosion and protect against future damage.

SolarShell is resistant to chemicals and thus perfect for protecting pipes. One oil and gas company coated the outside of a large pipe with SolarShell before installing and burying it underground. Pipes protected with SolarShell—whether buried, dragged, or exposed to the elements—show no signs damage.

Laminate curing in the sun

It would be nice if pipes and other important equipment could outlast the relentless forces of Mother Nature, but most of the applications we rely on require extra reinforcement. Luckily, laminates like SolarShell exist for that very reason. What is essential in your industry that could benefit from the added support of SolarShell?

March 15, 2012 by Kendal White

Solutions for Secondary Containment

In response government regulations and eco friendly incentives, more and more facilities are finding new ways to go green. It’s always a good idea to stay in line with Uncle Sam, but facility owners and operators often discover that protecting the environment also delivers worthwhile ROI. Win win.

Back in 2007, the EPA introduced the Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Regulations that require facilities with large amount of oil storage (1,320+ gallons aboveground, 42,000+ gallons underground) to have a written plan addressing how it will prevent and/or respond to oil spills.

This makes sense. Oil products pose a threat to the environment and our safety if accidentally spilled or leaked into soil, ground water, or surface water.

SPCC regulations apply to facilities that handle “petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, oil mixed with wastes, fats, greases, and vegetable oils,” and I’m sure these preventative measures come as no surprise to those involved in oil-related industries.

The good news—the EPA doesn’t specify the means by which facilities must control spills. Rather, the regulations afford facility owners and operators the autonomy to decide how they will comply and to determine the best methods for their facility.

The bad news—the EPA doesn’t specify the means by which facilities must control spills, which means owners and operators are on their own in devising a plan. All the EPA asks is that the methods align with accepted “good engineering practices,” and in some cases be certified by a Professional Engineer (PE). Pretty vague.

The SPCC report does suggest using containers suitable for flammable liquids, installing overflow alarms or vents, and constructing secondary containment areas.

Secondary containment areas are common solutions in the oil industry as they connect to bulk storage and can handle any accidental overflow. They are not infallible, however. The EPA recommends that pipes and containers be periodically inspected.

For additional spill protection, facilities should reinforce containment walls. SolarShell fiberglass laminate does just that—soft SolarShell sheets conform to the shape of the containment area, bonds with steel or concrete walls, and cures into an impenetrable shell that will prevent potential leaks and spills.

If secondary containment is a part of your facility’s spill prevention plan, consider reinforcing the area with laminate. In the oil industry, owners and operators can never be too careful. According to the EPA, a single gallon of oil can contaminate a million gallons of water, damaging both the environment and a company’s pocketbook.

What else can your facility do to enhance existing preventative measures?

March 8, 2012 by Kendal White

The Dream Team of Repair Products

We’ve talked a lot lately about the miraculous UV-curing laminate known as SolarShell that makes repair jobs much easier and more efficient. Now we’d like to introduce two more agents that also take part in the repair process: (soft drumroll to cue entrance) SolarRes and SolarGel.

Neat names, but what do they do?
SolarShell products are versatile and easy to apply, so they are perfect for repairing, patching, or protecting almost any surface.

SolarRes is like your traditional resin, but it has excellent corrosion resistant properties, so it’s protective power is unmatched when it comes to reinforcing various applications that are often exposed to chemical, industrial, and abrasive environmental conditions.

SolarRes can be used to seal surfaces prior to applying SolarShell, but it also works well on top of SolarShell joints. In some cases, SolarRes is used over an entire SolarShell application to enhance its physical appearance and durability.

SolarGel is (you guessed it) a gel that is ideal for filling pocks, dents, holes, and other surface abrasions. It can be used in combination with SolarRes and SolarShell or as a stand-alone product.

Ready to use SolarShell products are perfect for repairs

What sets these products apart?
Unmatched by standard epoxy, putty, or fiberglass repair kits, SolarShell products work wonderfully for water treatment, marine, and numerous other industrial applications. Here are the highlights:

Comes ready to use in sheets, cans, or caulk tubes — no mixing necessary
Cures quickly — 15 minutes or less in sunlight or under UV lamp
Adheres to steel, concrete, insulation glass, wood, and more
Resistant to the effects of weather, water, and many chemicals

Try out the indomitable trio today — you’ll love how these products complement each other and keep your repairs looking good and lasting much longer than you’d expect.

March 1, 2012 by Kendal White

Fiberglass Laminate for Big Jobs: Reinforce an Entire Steel Tank

It seems like everyday we find new applications for SolarShell, our fiberglass laminate. Because it cures into an impenetrable fiberglass shell, SolarShell makes a patch ideal for repairing steel or other industrial applications. But what if your repair requires more than a little patch or two? What if your repair is so large you’re considering replacing the entire application instead of investing the time and resources to fix it?

No problem. Whether your problem is big or small, SolarShell can solve it.

The solution for steel
In the following example, a chicken farm used SolarShell to line a large, outdoor steel sewage tank. Lining the inside of a steel tank with laminate can add 30 plus years to the working life of the tank at a fraction of what it would cost to replace it. Sure, they could have used the laminate to patch the most corroded areas here and there—or they could have sprung for the cash to replace the tank altogether—yikes! But instead, they applied SolarShell as a liner to reinforce the walls of the tank. They realized that lining with laminate would not just repair, but it would also protect against corrosion, rust, and leaks in the future.

Steel Tank Before SolarShell

First they drained, dried, and sandblasted the inside of the tank. Then they grinded off rusted areas, patched holes, primed with resin, and applied the laminate, which cured quickly in direct sunlight (about 15 minutes). They finished the job with a new coat of paint, and the tank looked and performed like new.

Steel Tank After SolarShell

What about other applications?
Solar Shell doesn’t just work with steel—it also bonds with concrete, insulation glass, wood and virtually any other substrate and can conform to any shape, making it ideal for a variety of industrial applications.

Don’t replace what you can repair. SolarShell is easy to apply and works better than standard epoxy, putty, or fiberglass repair kits. What can you use it for?

February 16, 2012 by Kendal White

How to Repair Steel in 7 Steps: Easy to Follow Instructional Video

The following tutorial shows how easy it is repair steel applications with SolarShell, our fiberglass laminate. A SolarShell patch will bond with steel surfaces to effectively prevent corrosion, rust, and leaks.

1. Prepare the damaged surface by sanding away paint and rust.

2. Measure and cut the laminate to cover the area you need to repair. SolarShell comes in soft sheets that are easy to cut to any shape or size with standard knives or scissors.

3. Apply SolarShell primer to the prepared area. Don’t worry about matching it perfectly to the size of the patch. You want to primer to seep out slightly underneath it.

4. Remove the film backing and apply the patch.

5. Apply pressure to the patch using a roller or other tool.

6. Repeat the application process as needed. You can cut and apply large patches over a single area or several small patches in different areas.

7. Let the laminate cure under direct sunlight or UV lamp. In about 15 minutes, the laminate will harden and become an impenetrable shell.

And viola, in 7 easy steps, you have an impenetrable patch. You can even line an entire steel tank with SolarShell. Whether your problem is big or small, SolarShell can solve it. Once fully cured, the laminate can be painted over, and your application will look and function just like new.

Need to repair something other than steel? Don’t worry, SolarShell bonds with concrete, insulation glass, pvc, plastic and wood as well.

Why not try it out for yourself? What do you need to repair?

February 9, 2012 by Kendal White

At Home Auto Repair: From Fracture to Fresh and New in under 3 Hours

Everyone loves an extreme makeover, so today I will share with you the story of the RV overhaul. With a little help from SolarShell, our impenetrable fiberglass laminate, you too can undertake at-home auto repair for your RV, truck, car, or any other vehicle you may have.

Bumper Repair

Once upon a time, there was an RV in Texas with an unsightly gash on her front bumper. Instead of paying out the wazoo at an auto body shop, her owner decided to give SolarShell a try. He had no prior experience in auto repair, but he wanted to find a way to fix the bumper himself.

He applied a soft SolarShell patch to the damaged bumper, which soon cured into hard plastic shell when exposed to UV rays. After a quick sand and a fresh coat of paint, the RV bumper was as good as new. The entire repair was finished in less than 3 hours.

Three days after the make over, the RV rolled happily up to Oklahoma. She encountered heavy winds, rain, and rough roads along the way, but to everyone’s delight, the repaired bumper remained perfectly intact. SolarShell saved the day!

Moral of the story — Don’t overpay for auto repair, do it yourself with an easy at-home remedy. Try SolarShell today, and stay tuned for more of SolarShell’s versatile solutions — some of them may surprise you.

September 22, 2011 by Kendal White

Research & Development Tax Credits: More Accessible Than You Thought

Research and development tax credits provide golden, yet often overlooked, opportunities for manufacturers to recoup expenses of new product development, product changes or manufacturing process improvements. Recent changes to tax regulations and legislation have expanded these credits, making it easier for businesses to take advantage of the savings.

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Cedar Robinson, a corporate tax consultant with more than 18 years of specialized R&D Tax credit experience. Robinson explained that businesses do not have to be a high-tech research type company to qualify for tax benefits. In fact, qualified research activities often include all phases of product upgrades, new product research and development, and product & manufacturing process upgrades to improve quality, reliability or efficiency. Most manufacturers are continuously improving production processes and efficiency as part of everyday operations and virtually all manufacturers develop new or improved products. As a result, Robinson indicated that nearly all manufacturers are eligible for the R&D Tax credit. [Read more…]

August 9, 2011 by Kendal White

What’s New at UniTherm International?

2011 has been an exciting year at UniTherm International! Over the last year, we’ve taken major strides in improving our facility and R&D capabilities, strengthening marketing efforts, and broadening our representative base. We’re pleased share a sneak peak inside UniTherm HQ to show you changes we’re making to improve our products and services.

Research and Development Updates

Using state-of-the art technology and equipment, UniTherm engineers are more focused on research and development than ever before. This year we’ve rigorously tested our products’ performance which has led to the release of new and improved models of FirePro, discovered new applications for UniVest and FlexWatt and even launched a new product, SolarShell.

SolarShell is a glass-reinforced, plastic laminate that cures and hardens when exposed to UV rays. Be sure to stay tuned for future SolarShell updates, as we’ll release a series of test videos for this multipurpose product later this summer. [Read more…]

August 8, 2011 by Kendal White

UniTherm International Announces Innovative New Product for the Water Treatment Industry

Supported by National Manufacturer’s Rep, 5Marketing, Inc., SolarShell offers significant benefits to the waste water and water treatment industry.

SolarShell UV laminate applied to a concrete secondary containment.

UniTherm International, a designer, manufacturer and provider of innovative industrial products and solutions, proudly introduces the waste water industry to SolarShell, an easily-applied, glass-reinforced plastic laminate that starts as a flexible sheet and cures to a hard, impermeable material when exposed to UV light.

Available in roll or patch form, SolarShell is easy to cut to any shape can reinforce, repair and/or protect a variety of water treatment materials, including PVC pipe, cement and concrete.

SolarShell is durable and can withstand the effects of chemicals, high-impact pressure, and weather, creating a system that standard protection and reinforcement products cannot offer. Proven to drastically reduce the effects of corrosion from chemicals and acids, SolarShell provides a long-lasting alternative to traditional paint and coatings.

[Read more…]