Manufacturing

CPF Dualam can fabricate equipment up to 20 ft. in diameter and 100 ft. in length. Large vessels can be designed to withstand full vacuum to 14 psig, and self-supporting stacks are engineered to withstand hurricane force winds. Smaller vessels (6-8inch in diameter) have also been built to withstand internal pressures up to 150 psig. In addition, CPF Dualam fabricates process piping, ducting, tower internals and fans and can also supply bulk piping systems, shop spooling and field joints. We also perform field inspection of dual laminate equipment.

For over 12 years, CPF Dualam has collaborated with Concordia University's Composite Center in the design and testing of fabricated vessels and towers. In addition, trained technical personnel from the Composite Center have routinely performed acoustic emission monitoring during hydrostatic and vacuum testing. As a result of this collaboration, we can design vessels according to proposed ASME Section X FRP Pressure Vessel Code, combining laminate theory with finite element analysis of the more complex sections of a tank or vessel.

CPF DUALAM invented Dual Laminates in 1957 and we are considered by the industry the leader in this technology which requires careful design to accommodate the differential expansion rates of the thermoplastic liner and the thermoset supporting structural laminates.

The combination of thermoplastic liners and FRP thermoset composites provides structures with excellent chemical resistance and structural strength. Dual Laminates are now used in numerous applications replacing more expensive metal alloys, lined steel, glass, stoneware or rubber. They offer a cost-effective solution in some of the most corrosive services encountered in industry.

What Is a Dual-Laminate?

Dual-Laminates are defined as a thermoplastic construction to which is bonded a fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) structure.

• Several types of thermoplastics can be used in the fabrication process including PVC, PP, CPVC, PVDF, ECTFE, Tefzel® ETFE and Teflon® FEP, and PFA.
  
  
• The thermoset bonding layer provides a mechanical and chemical lock with the FRP.
  
  
• A layer of electrically conductive material is laminated immediately behind the thermoplastic, allowing for spark testing or installation of the liner leak detection system. This patented technology is in use on numerous process vessels.
  
  
• A secondary corrosion barrier is laminated using thermooset corrosion resistant vinyl ester resins, surface veils and chopped strand fiberglass mat. Such laminate is resin rich to insure adequate back-up, in the unlikely event of a thermoplastic liner damage.
  
  
• The FRP structure consists of either a hand lay-up, i.e. alternate layers of CSM (Chopped Strand Mat) and woven roving (WR), or filament winding construction. Various winding patterns are used to optimize laminate properties.
  
  
• Finally, an exterior finish provides UV resistance, flame retardancy and external corrosion resistance.

Advantages:

• Optimum resistance to corrosive chemicals
• Low maintenance costs
• Long services life
• Light weight
• High degree of abrasion resistance
• Low installation costs
• Very complex shapes

Applications:

• Chloralkali plants (drying towers, tanks, pressure/process vessels)
  
• Pulp bleach plants (tanks, ClO2 generators)
• Environment protection (gas scrubbers)
• Metal refining plants
• Basic chemicals
• High purity chemicals
• Fertilizer chemicals
• And more