April 22, 2026

Since 2020, Cortec’s Boiler Dragon^™ has been offering simple, effective corrosion protection on boiler and cooling system internals during layup, shipping, and storage. Successful applications on condenser and chiller shipments have further established its credibility as a viable solution to internal corrosion.

The Advantage of Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors for Internal Protection

The success of Boiler Dragon^™ relies on Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI/VpCI^®) that diffuse through void spaces and form a protective molecular layer on metals within an enclosure. Initially designed for dry layup of large boilers and steam components, this waterborne corrosion inhibitor has also proven useful for the protection of chillers and heat exchanger internals enroute to customers. Scott Bryan, Certified Water Technologist and Director of Business Development—Water Treatment at Cortec^®, described how the post-hydrotesting process might look:

“While VpCI^® technology is often introduced during hydrotesting to provide ongoing corrosion protection, this isn’t always permitted or practical. When post-hydrotest protection is required, preservation can be quickly established by fogging Boiler Dragon™ into the chiller or heat exchanger. The VpCI^® molecules then diffuse throughout the internal surfaces to deliver effective corrosion protection.” 

Corrosion Risks During Shipping and Storage

Shipping large chillers, heat exchangers, and other industrial equipment cross-country or overseas puts them at risk for corrosion from condensation and other uncontrollable elements. Furthermore, large construction projects may not be able to install assets immediately upon receipt, leaving them at further risk for corrosion during outdoor storage. Corrosion that does appear can delay the entire project and lay heavy costs for corrosion claims on the manufacturer.

Alternatives to Desiccant and Nitrogen Blanketing

Attempts to protect large equipment internal voids with desiccant or nitrogen blanketing can be cumbersome at best or dangerous at worst. In contrast, Boiler Dragon™ is more reliable and easier to work with. Pairing Boiler Dragon™ for internal preservation with VpCI^®-126 HP UV Shrink Film for external preservation forms a complete package that helps trap corrosion inhibiting vapors inside and streamlines equipment installation for the end user, who typically only has to remove the external wrapping before startup can proceed on the corrosion-free asset.

Case Histories: Boiler Dragon^™ in Action

In 2021, a giant chiller manufacturer who had been using VpCI^®-126 HP UV Shrink Film for external preservation decided to add Boiler Dragon^™ to their shipping procedure for internal protection. This will allow them to complete approximately two decades of Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor use with a more comprehensive preservation package. In 2022, Cortec^® Global Services (CGS) used Boiler Dragon^™ and VpCI^®-126 HP UV Shrink Film, along with other protective materials, to preserve two spare surface condensers traveling from North America to a chemical processing facility in South America. This approach promoted streamlined installation for the end user who historically had to do additional cleaning and rust removal before startup.*

Simplifying Mission-Ready Preservation

Manufacturers can always benefit from simpler, more effective routines. As chiller demand increases alongside the data center construction boom, solutions like Boiler Dragon^™ will be increasingly important for corrosion-free delivery and hassle-free installation. Contact Cortec^® to learn more about applying Boiler Dragon^™ for easy, mission-ready preservation of chillers, heat exchangers, and more.

*See Cortec^® Case Histories #861 and #829. Login required: https://www.corteccasehistories.com/.

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