The challenge
In a hot, humid coastal climate (corrosivity category ISO 12944 C5-M), rain, salt air and alkaline cement dust attack steel quickly. Emissions from a nearby industrial zone made it worse.
Steel silos, bucket elevator towers, conveyor bridges and trestles showed paint failure, rust staining and pack rust at bolted joints. Heavy traffic below ruled out scaffolding.
Scope of works
- Preliminary drone survey of verticality, shell distortion and runoff paths
- Dual-rope rope access on silos, cones, elevator shafts and columns
- Visual testing, ultrasonic thickness of shells, hoppers and galleries, and a bolt condition audit
- Survey of drainage and weather-seals to find water traps
Outcome
The plant received an asset-by-asset integrity register, ranking degradation and setting priorities for surface preparation and C5-M recoating, with all operations running. See our NDT services and other projects in French Guiana.
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