Monitoring the performance of a coating system

Abstract

A method of monitoring the performance of a coating system, such as an anti-corrosive or anti-fouling coating, that is applied to a surface of an object is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining en

Description

BACKGROUND It is known to apply a coating system to an object, the coating system comprising one or more coatings. Protective coating systems exist which provide a level of protection against a particular effect occurring. For example, an anti-fouling protective coating system protects against the accumulation of marine fouling on a surface to which the anti-fouling protective coating system is applied, and an anti-corrosive protective coating system protects against corrosion of a surface to which the anti-corrosive protective coating system is applied. Other types of protective coating systems exist such as chemical resistance protective coating systems, thermal barrier protective coating systems, mechanical resistance protective coating systems, UV resistance protective coating systems, wood protective coating systems, anti-ice protective coating systems, fire retarding or fire protective coating systems and concrete protective coating systems. There is a need to monitor the ability of a protective coating system to protect against a particular effect occurring. Other types of coating system exist which are configured to exhibit a property after application to the object, such as a certain colour, gloss level, a surface texture, a surface pattern, a metallic effect, a friction reduction level, and a friction enhancement level. There is also a need to monitor the degradation of the property provided by these types of protective coating systems. The performance of a coating system depends on many different factors and it is therefore difficult to know exactly when the coating system applied on an object will lose its expected performance and maintenance is needed. Maintenance may come in the form of reapplying one or more coatings of the coating system (e.g. with a prior cleaning or removal of the coating system). Traditionally, the decision for performing maintenance is based on results from visual inspections of the object. SUMMARY Determining whether to performing maintenance of a coating system based on results from visual inspections of the object is a very manual and time consuming process, which also involves in many cases a varying degree of risk for the personnel performing the inspection. Traditional inspection methods such as visual inspections are also to a certain degree subjective, and the accuracy of the decision making process is therefore influenced by the subjective observation and interpretation of the inspector I decision maker. In addition, for some objects inspections are also difficult or even impossible to make due to safety reasons or access difficulties. Furthermore, when a coating system has lost its performance to such an extent that it can be observed visually, the only recommended action in many cases will be full refurbishment of the coating system (e.g. cleaning, abrasive blasting and coating application). As an example, in the event that an anti-corrosive protective coating system applied to a steel object is no longer providing acceptable anti-corrosive performance and the object has started to corrode, the object will require removal of the corrosion and the anti-corrosive protective coating system down to the bare steel and then re-application of all coatings of the anti-corrosive protective coating system will be necessary. This requires substantial amounts of time, manpower and coating material. The required maintenance, such as that previously described, will also mean that the operation of the object will have to be temporarily stopped throughout the duration of the maintenance, which can be disruptive to the operation of the object. It is also important not to commence maintenance of a coating system too early as this will lead to unnecessary coating use and in some cases unnecessary production downtime. It is desirable to minimize the amount of coatings used, as all manufacturing processes and production of coatings will have a certain environmental impact (e.g. production of raw materials, transportation and fabrication). A method to monitor the performance of a coating system is therefore needed to be able to identify and initiate the required maintenance of a coating system at an appropriate time. This will lead to a reduction in manpower, downtime, as well as an amount of coating used to provide a desired level of performance of the coating system. According to another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method of monitoring the performance of a coating system that is applied to a surface of an object, the method performed on a computing device and comprising: obtaining environmental data relating to an environment of the object; determining an environmental severity value using the environmental data, the environmental severity value indicating the severity of environmental conditions in the environment; obtaining a model using the environmental severity value, the model indicating how performance of at least one coating of the coating system is expected to change over time; determining an expected state of the at least one coating of the coating system using the model and input data; and determining a performance state of the coating system based on comparing the expected state to a predetermined performance threshold. The obtaining environmental data relating to the environment of the object may be based on a coating type of the at least one coating of the coating system. The determining the environmental severity value may comprise computing the environmental severity value. Computing the environmental severity value may comprise inputting the environmental data into an equation. The method may comprise selecting the equation based on a material of the surface. The determining the environmental severity value may comprise: transmitting a query to a data store storing a plurality of environmental severity values each associated with the environmental data, the query comprising environmental data relating to an environment of the object; and receiving a response to said query, the query comprising the environmental severity value. In some embodiments the coating system is a protective coating system, and the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: an effect that the protective coating system is protecting against, and the expected state indicates the ability of the at least one coating to protect against said effect; and degradation of the at least one coating, and the expected state indicates the degradation of the at least one coating, The protective coating system may comprise one or more of: (i) an anti-fouling protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: accumulation of marine fouling on the surface, and degradation of the anti-fouling protective coating; (ii) an anti-corrosive protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: corrosion of the surface, and degradation of the anticorrosive protective coating; (iii) a chemical resistance protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: chemical degradation of the surface, absorption by the chemical resistance protective coating of a chemical stored or transported by the object, and degradation of the chemical resistance coating; (iv) a thermal barrier protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: heat exchange of the surface and object with the environment, and degradation of the thermal barrier protective coating; (v) a mechanical resistance protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: mechanical degradation of the surface, and degradation of the mechanical resistance protective coating; and (vi) a UV resistance protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: degradation of the surface as a result of UV absorbance, and degradation of the UV resistance protective coating; (vii) a wood protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: degradation of the wood surface, and degradation of the wood protective coating; (viii) an anti-ice protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: build up of ice on the surface, and degradation of the anti-ice protective coating; (ix) a fire retarding or a fire protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to the coating decreasing its fire protection and / or fire retarding properties; and (x) a concrete protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: degradation of the structural properties of the object, and degradation of the concrete protective coating. In some embodiments the coating system is configured to exhibit a property after application to the surface, the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to a degradation of the property of the coating system, and the expected state indicates a degradation of the property. The property may comprise one or more of: a colour, a gloss level, a surface texture, a surface pattern, a metallic effect, a friction reduction level, and a friction enhancement level. The obtaining the model may comprise retrieving the model using the environmental severity value and one or more of: coating data associated with each of the at least one coating; or information about the object. The obtaining the model may comprise retrieving a template model, and modifying the template model using the environmental severity value. The obtaining the model may comprise retrieving a template model using the environmental severity value, and modifying the template model. The modifying the template model may comprise using one or any combination of: coating data associated with each of the at least one coating; information about the object; a measured performance value of the at least one coating, and information on post application actions performed on the at least one coating. The coating data may comprise one or both of: a coating type of each of the at least one coating, and a thickness of each of the at least one coating. The information about the object may comprise one or more of: information on an environment in which the surface of the object was prepared prior to application of the coating system; information on a surface preparation method used to prepare the surface of the object prior to application of the coating system; information on at least one environment in which the coating system was applied to the surface of an object; or information on at least one application method used to apply the coating system to the surface of an object. The input data may comprise a time period which has elapsed since the application of the coating system to the surface, and determining the expected state may comprise determining a performance value of the at least one coating using the model and the time period. The input data may comprise a measured performance value of the at least one coating, and determining the expected state may comprise predicting a time period which has elapsed since the application of the coating system to the surface using the model and the measured performance value. The predetermined performance threshold may be set in dependence on a coating type of the at least one coating of the coating system. The method may further comprise outputting a message indicating the performance state. The method may comprise outputting the message to a display of the computing device. The method may comprise outputting the message for transmission to a remote computing device. The method may comprise outputting the message when performance of the at least one coating is expected to drop below the predetermined performance threshold within a predetermined time period. According to another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a computing device comprising a processor configured to perform any of the methods described herein. According to another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of a computing device, cause the processor to perform any of the methods described herein. The instructions referred to herein may be provided on a carrier such as a disk, CD- or DVD-ROM, programmed memory such as read-only memory (Firmware), or on a data carrier such as an optical or electrical signal carrier. Code (and / or data) to implement embodiments of the present disclosure may comprise source, object or executable code in a conventional programming language (interpreted or compiled) such as C, or assembly code, code for setting up or controlling an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or code for a hardware description language. These and other aspects will be apparent from the embodiments described in the following. It will be appreciated that features from one aspect may be combined with the features of another aspect. The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by this summary nor to implementations that necessarily solve any or all of the disadvantages noted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present disclosure and to show how embodiments may be put into effect, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of the computing device; Figure 2 illustrates a method of monitoring the performance of a coating system that is applied to a surface of an object; Figure 3 illustrates models in the form data curves, each data curve indicating how performance of a coating system is expected to change over time, the data curves associated with different environmental severity values; Figure 4 illustrates determining a performance state of a coating system based on comparing an expected state to a predetermined performance threshold; and Figure 5 illustrates readjustment of a model, which is in the form of a data curve, based on a measured performance value. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments will now be described by way of example only. Figure 1 illustrates a simplified view of a computing device 100 which may perform the computer implemented methods described herein. As shown in Figure 1, the computing device 100 comprises a central processing unit (“CPU”) 102, to which is connected a memory 104. The functionality of the CPU 102 described herein may be implemented in code (software) stored on a memory (e.g. memory 104) comprising one or more storage media, and arranged for execution on a processor comprising one or more processing units. The storage media may be integrated into and / or separate from the CPU 102. The code is configured so as when fetched from the memory and executed on the processor to perform operations in line with embodiments discussed herein. Alternatively, it is not excluded that some or all of the functionality of the CPU 102 is implemented in dedicated hardware circuitry (e.g. ASIC(s), simple circuits, gates, logic, and / or configurable hardware circuitry like an FPGA. The computing device 100 may comprise an input device 106 coupled to the CPU 102. The input device 106 allows a user of the computing device 100 to provide inputs and control the operation of the computing device 100. The input device 106 may be keypad, keyboard, a touch-screen display, and / or a microphone. The computing device 100 may comprise an output device 108 coupled to the CPU 102. The output device 108 allows the computing device 100 to provide outputs to a user operating the computing device 100. The output device 108 may comprise a display (for example the touch-screen display referred to above) and / or a speaker. The input device 106 and output device 108 may be integrated into the computing device 100 as shown in Figure 1. In other embodiments, one or both of the input device 106 and output device 108 may not be integrated into the computing device 100 and may be connected to the computing device 100 (and thereby the CPU 102) via respective interfaces. Such interfaces may be wired (e.g. a USB interface) or wireless. The computing device 100 may comprise a communication interface 110 coupled to the CPU 102. The communication interface 110 allows the computing device 100 to transmit data, and / or receive data. The communication interface 110 may be a wireless communication interface and / or a wired communication interface. Figure 2 illustrates a flowchart of a process 200 for monitoring the performance of a coating system that is applied to a surface of an object. The object may be any manmade object. The process 200 is performed by a computing device 100. For example, the process 200 may be performed by the CPU 102. The coating system that is applied to a surface of an object comprises one or more coatings. A coating system may comprise several coating layers (e.g. 1, 2, or 3 or more coating layers) of the same coating type with the same film thickness (e.g. dry film thickness) or several coating layers (e.g. 1, ,2 or 3 or more coating layers) of the same coating type with different film thicknesses (e.g. dry film thickness). A coating system may also comprise coating layers of different coating types e.g. two coating layers of an anti-corrosive protective coating and two coating layers of a UV-resistance protective coating. The different coating types may have the same film thickness (e.g. dry film thickness) or different film thicknesses. For simplicity embodiments are first described with reference to monitoring the performance of a single coating that is applied to a surface of an object, which may be the only coating of a coating system, or may be one of multiple coatings of a coating system. At step S202, the CPU 102 obtains environmental data relating to an environment of the object The environment of the object may be an indoor or outdoor environment in the vicinity of an object. In embodiments whereby the object provides an enclosed space, e.g. a storage tank or a pipe, the environment may be the space enclosed by the object and / or be external to the enclosed space. For protective coating systems, the environmental data may comprise values for environmental parameters that are directly linked with the effect that the protective coating system is protecting against. For example, for an anti-corrosive coating the environmental data may comprise values for salinity, humidity, and / or temperature. Furthermore the environmental data may comprise values for environmental parameters that degrade the coating (i.e. contribute to coating breakdown) and therefore impact the coating’s ability to prevent the effect from occurring. For example, for an anti-corrosive coating UV light can contribute to breakdown of the anti-corrosive coating. The environmental data may be time dependent. For example, the environment of the object may experience seasonal changes, and the CPU 102 may obtain the environmental data based on a month, season or any other identifier that defines a time of year. The CPU 102 may obtain the environmental data by retrieving the environmental data from memory 104 in which it is stored. Alternatively or additionally, the CPU 102 may obtain the environmental data by retrieving the environmental data from an external data store (not shown in Figure 1) in which it is stored. The CPU 102 may obtain the environmental data relating to an environment of the object based on a coating type of the coating. That is, the CPU 102 may obtain environmental data that is relevant for monitoring the performance of a coating having a particular coating type. Alternatively or additionally, the CPU 102 may obtain the environmental data relating to an environment of the object based on the object. That is, the CPU 102 may obtain environmental data that is relevant for monitoring the performance of a coating that is applied to a particular type of object (e.g. a marine vessel, a wind turbine, an offshore drilling station, storage tank, a pipe, a building). As non-limiting examples, the coating type may be one of an anti-fouling protective coating, an anti-corrosive protective coating, a chemical resistance protective coating, a thermal barrier protective coating, a mechanical resistance protective coating, an UV resistance protective coating, a wood protective coating, an anti-ice protective coating, a fire retarding or a fire protective coating, a concrete protective coating, an aesthetic appearance coating (e.g. that provides a particular colour, gloss level, surface texture, surface pattern, and / or metallic effect), a friction reducing coating (e.g. flow coating for internal lining of pipelines), or a friction enhancing coating (e.g. anti-slippage). It will be appreciated that a coating can exhibit multiple different properties, for example a coating may provide both UV resistance and mechanical resistance properties. An anti-fouling protective coating is used to protect surfaces that are immersed in water (typically sea water) from biological fouling settlement and growth. All surfaces submerged in seawater will experience fouling of organisms such as bacteria, diatoms, algae, mussels, tube worms and barnacles. Marine fouling is the undesirable accumulation of microorganisms, algae and animals on structures submerged in seawater. The fouling organisms can be divided into microfouling (bacterial and diatomic biofilms) and macrofouling (e.g. macroalgae, barnacles, mussels, tubeworms, bryozoans) which live together forming a fouling community. The development of marine fouling is a known problem for vessels. Fouling of the underwater hull of a vessel will lead to increased drag resistance and increased fuel consumption or reduced speed. Increased fuel consumption will lead to increased CO2, NOX and sulphur emissions. Heavy fouling can also lead to reduced manoeuvrability of the vessel. Many commercial vessels (e.g. container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, passenger ships) are trading worldwide. If the hull of a vessel is fouled the organisms will be transported from its original ecosystem to a different ecosystem. This is problematic as new species can be introduced in sensitive ecosystems and eliminate indigenous species. A vessel can also be prohibited from entering a port if the hull is fouled. In an example whereby the coating is an anti-fouling protective coating, the environmental data may comprise one or more of: (i) water properties (e.g. whether the water is salt water or fresh water, a chlorophyll level, a salinity level, a pH level, a nutrient level, a temperature and / or an amount of gaseous oxygen dissolved in the water), (ii) a light intensity, (iii) location information (e.g. a water depth, a distance between the object and coastline, and / or a geographical location of the object). The environmental data may indicate how the water properties, light intensity and / or location information changes overtime. Anti-fouling protective coatings are for example described in GB2558739, GB2559454, WO2019096926, GB2576431, DE102018128725, DE102018128727, WO9744401 and WO2021105429. An anti-corrosive protective coating is used to protect surfaces against corrosion. Corrosion may be for example atmospheric corrosion, corrosion in immersed condition and / or corrosion under insulation. In an example whereby the coating is an anticorrosive protective coating, the environmental data may comprise one or more of: humidity, temperature, a chloride deposition rate, a SOx deposition rate, a UV light intensity level, immersed medium and salinity. Anti-corrosive protective coatings are for example described in WO2018046702, WO2023166212, WO2023194444, US2009226729 and WO2017184514. Chemicals are stored and transported in tanks or pipelines that are coated on the interior with a chemical resistance protective coating. The chemical resistance protective coating need to withstand the chemicals that they will come into contact with (so as not to be damaged, and so as not to contaminate the chemicals stored / transported) to prevent chemical degradation of the surface to which the chemical resistance protective coating is applied. Furthermore, in cases where there are changes of chemicals (e.g. in ships the chemical transported in a tank might change at every voyage), the tanks are cleaned mechanically and chemically and the chemical resistance protective coatings thus need to withstand the cleaning methods and chemicals. Also when chemicals stored within a tank or transported along a pipeline are changed, it is important that the old chemical does not contaminate the new chemical and therefore any chemical resistance protective coating should minimize the amount of chemicals absorbed as well as have a fast desorption of the chemicals. In an example whereby the coating is a chemical resistance protective coating, the environmental data may comprise one or more of: the chemicals (cargo) to be stored / transported, the temperature of chemicals, the concentration of chemicals, the sequence and frequency of cargo, the cleaning methods and cleaning agents (cleaning chemicals) used. Chemical resistance protective coatings are for example described in WO2023006741 and WO2012119968. Coatings can be used for insulation purposes. In particular, a thermal barrier protective coating may be a heat retention, heat reflection, cold retention, or cold reflection coating. Typically a surface of an enclosed space (e.g. a tank, pipeline etc.) that is arranged to store and / or transport a medium (e.g. gas in a tank) is coated with a thermal barrier protective coating. The external medium outside of the object may be air, water, soil etc. The thermal barrier protective coating is configured to minimize the heat transfer between the two media (internal and external). The two media could also be the same, just at different temperatures (e.g. the interior and exterior of a house). In an example whereby the coating is a thermal barrier protective coating, the environmental data may comprise one or more of: a type of the external medium (e.g. air, water, soil, etc.), parameters of the external medium (e.g. temperature, heat capacity, etc.), a type of the internal medium (e.g. air, water, oil, chemicals, etc.), parameters of the internal medium (e.g. temperature, heat capacity, etc.), and if the medium is flowing, the flow speed. Thermal barrier protective coatings are for example described in WO2021175852. In an example whereby the coating is a mechanical resistance protective coating, the environmental data may comprise one or more of: force applied, frequency of force applied, type of force applied, type of material moved over the surface, temperature, UV light intensity, humidity, chemical exposure, wind direction, wind speed, and precipitation (e.g. rain, snow, hail) level. Mechanical resistance protective coatings such as wind blade coatings are for example described in WO2010122157, WO2023079078, WO2024008831 and WO2024008829. In an example whereby the coating is a UV resistance protective coating, the environmental data may comprise one or more of: a UV light intensity, temperature, precipitation (e.g. rain, snow, hail) level, humidity, air quality (e.g. pollution, dirt, microorganisms and spores thereof), and mechanical stress. UV resistance protective coatings are for example described in WO2009004010, WO2020025469 and WO2012048650. In an example whereby the coating is a wood protective coating, the environmental data may comprise one or more of: temperature, humidity, light intensity (e.g. UV light, visible light), precipitation (e.g. rain, snow, hail) level, air quality (e.g. pollution, dirt, microorganisms and spores thereof), and mechanical stress. Wood protective coatings are for example described in EP314377 and EP3237552. In an example whereby the coating is an anti-ice protective coating, the environmental data may comprise one or more of: temperature (e.g. air, water), humidity, light intensity (e.g. UV light, visible light, IR), precipitation (e.g. rain, snow, hail) level, air quality (e.g. pollution, dirt, microorganisms and spores thereof), salinity (in case of icing on ships), and mechanical stress. In an example whereby the coating is a fire protection or a fire retarding coating, the environmental data may comprise one or more of: temperature, humidity, light intensity (e.g. UV light, visible light), vibrations, and mechanical stress. Fire protective coatings are for example described in WO2021250211, WO2023104996, WO2016110456, WO2015007628, WO2015007629, WO2021222685, WO2020198424 and WO2024099096. In an example whereby the coating is a concrete protective coating, the environmental data may comprise one or more of: temperature, humidity, light intensity (e.g. UV light, visible light), precipitation (e.g. rain, snow, hail) level, air quality (e.g. pollution, dirt, microorganisms and spores thereof), mechanical stress, and pH level. In an example whereby the coating is an aesthetic appearance coating, the environmental data may comprise one or more of: temperature, humidity, light intensity (e.g. UV light, visible light), precipitation (e.g. rain, snow, hail) level, air quality (e.g. pollution, dirt, microorganisms and spores thereof), mechanical stress, and pH level. In an example whereby the coating is a friction reducing coating, the environmental data may comprise one or more of: type of material that is moved over the surface, properties of the material that is moved over the surface, force of which the material is moved over the surface and speed of which the material is moved over the surface, UV light intensity, precipitation (e.g. rain, snow, hail) level, air quality (e.g. pollution, dirt, microorganisms and spores thereof), and pH level. In an example whereby the coating is a friction enhancing coating, the environmental data may comprise one or more of: type of material that is moved over the surface, properties of the material that is moved over the surface, force of which the material is moved over the surface, speed of which the material is moved over the surface, frequency of usage, temperature, UV light intensity, precipitation (e.g. rain, snow, hail) level, air quality (e.g. pollution, dirt, microorganisms and spores thereof), and pH level. The environmental data obtained by the CPU 102 at step S202 may be based on historic measured environmental data and / or predicted environmental data. The environmental data can be found in generally or commercially accessible databases, e.g. NOAA for climate data. In these databases annual average data and / or timeseries data of measurement data can be stored. Furthermore, modelled data from climate / environmental / weather modeling, can be found in generally or commercially accessible databases, which can be used to represent the environmental conditions of an object. Measurement of the environmental data is possible by use of generally available sensors. Environmental data may also be obtained by observations by humans or automatically analysed video footage (e.g. how many cars are driving over a parking lot in case of a floor coating with friction enhancing effects or mechanical resistance effects). This data would be stored and made available to be used directly and / or to compute derived values (e.g. average values, maximum values etc.). As a further example, the CPU 102 at step S202 may obtain environmental data by execution of modelling software which can be performed without the use of databases. For example for a thermal barrier protective coating applied to a pipe, the CPU 102 may execute the modelling software to model the flow of a fluid in the pipe to obtain environmental data such as a flow speed. Commercially available modelling software or modelling software developed specifically for this task may be used. At step S204, the CPU 102 determines an environmental severity value using the environmental data obtained at step S202. The environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment of the object. When the coating is a protective coating, the environmental severity value may indicate the severity of environmental conditions in the environment of the object which would lead to an effect that the protective coating is protecting against. Alternatively or additionally, the environmental severity value may indicate the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to degradation of the protective coating (i.e. which would lead to the protective coating to lose its protecting properties). When the coating is configured to exhibit a property after application to the surface (e.g. a colour, a gloss level, a surface texture, a surface pattern, a metallic effect, a friction reduction level, and / or a friction enhancement level) the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment of the object which would lead to a degradation of the property. The CPU 102 may determine the environmental severity value in a number of different ways. The CPU 102 may compute the environmental severity value using one or more pieces of environmental data obtained at step S202. The CPU 102 may compute the environmental severity value by inputting the one or more pieces of environmental data into an equation (which may be selected by the CPU 102 based on a material of the surface). Taking the example of an anti-corrosive protective coating, the environmental severity value may indicate the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to corrosion of the surface. For an anti-corrosive protective coating in atmospheric conditions, the environmental severity value may be a corrosion rate. As is known to persons skilled in the art, equations exist which can be used to determine a corrosion rate based on environmental data. For example, equation (1) provided below is described in ISO 9223:2012 and can be used for determining the corrosion rate for carbon steel objects: 'aw "1,77-f^32 ■exp(0,020 -RH + fst) + 0,102-5 *82 -exp(0,033-RH+0,0407') (1) jgt “ 0„150-(T-10) when 10 *C; otherwise -0,054-(^-10) = 128, / ^-0,85 rcorr is first-year corrosion rate of metal, expressed in micrometres per year (pm / a); T is the annual average temperature, expressed in degrees Celsius (°C); RH is the annual average relative humidity, expressed as a percentage (%); Pd is the annual average SO2 deposition, expressed in milligrams per square metre per day [mg / (m2 ■ d)]; Sd is the annual average Cl’ deposition, expressed in milligrams per square metre per day [mg / (m2 ■ d)]. As noted above, the equation used to compute the environmental severity value may be based on a material of the surface. Equation (2) provided below is described in ISO 9223:2012 and can be used for determining the corrosion rate for aluminium objects: rcw - 0,004 -exp(0,025RH + ) *0,0018-5,}® -exp(0;020-RH * 0.094T) 0,009-(T—10) when 10 “C; otherwise -0,043-(^- 10) ¥- 113,^-0,65 (2) rcorr is first-year corrosion rate of metal, expressed in micrometres per year (pm / a); T is the annual average temperature, expressed in degrees Celsius (°C); RH is the annual average relative humidity, expressed as a percentage (%); Pd is the annual average SO2 deposition, expressed in milligrams per square metre per day [mg / (m2 ■ d)]; Sd is the annual average Cl’ deposition, expressed in milligrams per square metre per day [mg / (m2 ■ d)]. It will be appreciated that the above examples are merely provided to demonstrate how the equation used to determine the environmental severity value may be dependent on a material of the surface. Whilst environmental data relating to annual average temperature, annual average relative humidity, annual average SO2 deposition, and annual average chloride deposition are used in the above equations for calculating a corrosion rate, the equation used to determine a corrosion rate (or alternative environmental severity value for an anti-corrosive protective coating) may use additional and / or alternative environmental data than those used in equations (1) and (2). For an anti-corrosive protective coating, the environmental severity value may additionally or alternatively indicate the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to degradation of the anti-corrosive protective coating. Taking the example of an anti-fouling protective coating, the environmental severity value may indicate the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to accumulation of marine fouling on the surface. Various equations may be developed and used to compute the environmental severity value for an anti-fouling protective coating, non-limiting examples are provided below and the skilled person would readily be able to determine alternatives. In embodiments where by the environmental data comprises a water temperature, a salinity level and a water depth, the environmental severity value (ESV) may be calculated using equation (3) below: ESV = (water temperature / °C + salinity / (practical salinity unit) + 1 / (water depth / m)) (3) where water temperature is expressed in degrees Celsius (°C); where salinity is expressed in practical salinity unit; where water depth is expressed in metres (m). In embodiments where by the environmental data comprises a chlorophyll level, a salinity level and a water depth, the environmental severity value (ESV) may be calculated using equation (4) below: ESV = (chlorophyll / (mg / m3) + salinity / (practical salinity unit) + 1 / (water depth / m)) (4) where chlorophyll is expressed in milligrams per cubic metre (mg / m3); where salinity is expressed in practical salinity unit; where water depth is expressed in metres (m). Whilst environmental data relating to water temperature, a salinity level, a chlorophyll level and a water depth are used in the above equations for calculating an environmental severity value for an anti-fouling protective coating, the equation used to determine such an environmental severity value may use additional and / or alternative environmental data than those used in equations (3) and (4). For an anti-fouling protective coating, the environmental severity value may additionally or alternatively indicate the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to degradation of the anti-fouling protective coating. Taking the example of a thermal barrier protective coating, the environmental severity value may indicate the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to heat exchange of the surface and object with the environment. As one example, the heat loss of an uninsulated pipe may be used as the environmental severity value, computed from the temperature of the fluid flowing through the pipe and the temperature of the surrounding air and the pipe material using equation (5) below: q_r / A=0.01 78*£*[((T_c+273) / 1 00)A4-((T_a+273) / 100) A4] (5) q_r: Radiative heat loss A: surface area e: emissivity of pipe material T_c : temperature of the fluid T_a : ambient temperature Whilst environmental data relating to the temperature of the fluid flowing through the pipe and the temperature of the surrounding air are used in equation (5) for calculating an environmental severity value for a thermal barrier protective coating, the equation used to determine such an environmental severity value may use additional and / or alternative environmental data than those used in equation (5). For a thermal barrier protective coating, the environmental severity value may additionally or alternatively indicate the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to degradation of the thermal barrier protective coating. Whilst example equations have been provided for an anti-corrosive protective coating, an anti-fouling protective coating, and a thermal barrier protective coating, it will be appreciated that equivalent equations may be used to compute the environmental severity value for other protective coatings. For a chemical resistance protective coating, the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: chemical degradation of the surface, absorption by the chemical resistance protective coating of a chemical stored or transported by the object, and degradation of the chemical resistance coating. For a mechanical resistance protective coating, the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: mechanical degradation of the surface, and degradation of the mechanical resistance protective coating. For a UV resistance protective coating, the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: degradation of the surface as a result of UV absorbance, and degradation of the UV resistance protective coating. For a wood protective coating, the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: degradation of the wood surface, and degradation of the wood protective coating. For an anti-ice protective coating, the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: build up of ice on the surface, and degradation of the antiice protective coating. For a fire retarding or a fire protective coating, the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to the coating decreasing its fire protection and / or fire retarding properties. For a concrete protective coating, the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: degradation of the structural properties of the object, and degradation of the concrete protective coating. Similarly, equivalent equations may be used to compute the environmental severity value for coatings which are configured to exhibit a property after application to the surface, whereby the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to a degradation of the property of the coating. In other embodiments, the CPU 102 does not compute the environmental severity value and instead retrieves the environmental severity value from a data store. The data store may correspond to the memory 104 or an external data store (not shown in Figure 1). In these embodiments, the data store stores a plurality of environmental severity values each associated with environmental data, and at step S204, the CPU 102 is configured to transmit a query to the data store. The query comprises environmental data relating to an environment of the object. The CPU 102 is configured to receive a response to the query, the query comprising the environmental severity value. Taking the example of an anti-corrosive protective coating, the data store may store environmental severity values in the form of corrosivity classes (e.g. corrosivity classes C1-C5 and CX), each of the corrosivity classes associated with environmental data. In particular, each of the corrosivity classes may be associated with data ranges for environmental data (e.g. humidity, temperature, chloride deposition rate, SOx deposition rate, and / or UV light intensity levels) that impacts corrosivity, or a corrosion rate range. The CPU 102 may be configured to transmit a query to the data store; and receive a response to the query, the response comprising the corrosivity class corresponding to the environmental data transmitted in the query. It is possible to divide a map (e.g. of the world or region of the world) into corrosivity zones, where each corrosivity zone is defined by geographical area and is associated with a corrosivity class. Each corrosivity zone may also be divided into corrosivity zone layers whereby each corrosivity zone layer is associated with a height above sea level. The data store may store environmental severity values in the form of corrosivity classes (e.g. corrosivity classes C1-C5 and CX), each of the corrosivity classes associated with one or more corrosivity zones. The CPU 102 may be configured to transmit a query to the data store, the query comprising a geographical location of the object; and receive a response to the query, the response comprising the corrosivity class corresponding to the geographical location transmitted in the query. The data store may store environmental severity values in the form of corrosivity classes (e.g. corrosivity classes C1-C5 and CX), each of the corrosivity classes associated with one or more corrosivity zones in combination with a corrosivity zone layer. The CPU 102 may be configured to transmit a query to the data store, the query comprising a geographical location of the object and a height of the surface above sea level; and receive a response to the query, the response comprising the corrosivity class corresponding to the geographical location and height transmitted in the query. The corrosivity zones and / or corrosivity zone layers that are associated with each corrosivity class may be time dependent. For example, the corrosivity class of a particular corrosivity zone and / or corrosivity zone layer may experience seasonal changes. Taking the example of an anti-fouling protective coating, the data store may store environmental severity values in the form of fouling intensity classes, each of the fouling intensity classes associated with environmental data. In particular, each of the fouling intensity classes may be associated with data ranges for environmental data e.g. water properties (the examples of which have been described above), light intensity, water depth, and / or a distance between the object and coastline etc., that impacts marine fouling. The CPU 102 may be configured to transmit a query to the data store; and receive a response to the query, the response comprising the fouling intensity class corresponding to the environmental data transmitted in the query. It is possible to divide a map (e.g. of the world or region of the world) into fouling zones, where each fouling zone is defined by geographical area and is associated with a fouling intensity class. For example, coastal waters typically pose a higher fouling risk than open ocean waters. The data store may store environmental severity values in the form of fouling intensity classes, each of the fouling intensity classes associated with one or more fouling zones. The CPU 102 may be configured to transmit a query to the data store, the query comprising a geographical location of the object; and receive a response to the query, the response comprising the fouling intensity class corresponding to the geographical location transmitted in the query. The fouling zones that are associated with a fouling intensity class may be time dependent. For example, the fouling intensity class of a particular fouling zone may vary dependent on the season. Similar methods may be employed for other types of coating. In other embodiments, at step S204 the CPU 102 may use a value of an environmental parameter included in the environmental data obtained a step S202 directly as the environmental severity value. Taking the example of a UV resistance protective coating, if the environmental data obtained a step S202 comprises a UV light intensity level, the UV light intensity level may be used as the environmental severity value. In examples whereby the method 200 is used to monitor the performance of a single coating, at step S206, the CPU 102 obtains a model using the environmental severity value, the model indicating how performance of the coating applied to the object is expected to change over time in an environment associated with the environmental severity value. The model may take various forms. For example the model may be in the form of an equation, a tabular data set, or a data curve. For ease of illustration, embodiments are described with reference to the model(s) being data curve(s). We refer to examples herein whereby a model indicates how performance of a single coating applied to the object is expected to change over time, however a model may also indicate how performance of multiple coatings of a coating system applied to the object is expected to change over time. The models may be based on testing made in a laboratory and / or testing made in real-life. The testing may be accelerated testing. Various test methods exist which are evaluating properties such as barrier properties, corrosion and corrosion creep, adhesion, anti-fouling performance, dirt pick up resistance, water uptake, ice mitigation, abrasion resistance, mechanical impact, coating hardness, gloss retention and / or colour retention. Analysis techniques such as FT-IR, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC), NMR and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) may be used. The testing may be performed in different environmental conditions. Different coating film thicknesses (e.g. dry film thickness) may be used and the testing may be performed on different objects (e.g. type, material, size, shape). Extrapolated data may be used. Real-life inspections performed on objects (e.g. visual inspections or sensor measurements) may be used as basis for the model. In some embodiments, the model obtained at step S206 may be prestored in memory. For example, a plurality of models may be prestored in the memory 104 and / or an external data store (not shown in Figure 1) accessible to the CPU 102. The plurality of prestored models may each be associated with an environmental severity value or a range of environmental severity values. In these embodiments, at step S206 the CPU 102 is configured to query the memory using the environmental severity value to obtain the model associated with the environmental severity value. Optionally, the plurality of prestored models may each be associated with further information which may be used to retrieve the prestored model at step S206. For example, coating data associated with the coating may be used to retrieve the model from memory. The coating data may comprise a coating type and / or a coating thickness (e.g. dry film thickness) that was used when the coating was applied to the surface of the object. Additionally or alternatively, information about the object may be used to retrieve the model from the plurality of prestored models. In examples whereby the model obtained at step S206 indicates how performance of a single coating is expected to change over time, the information about the object may comprise one or more of: (i) information on an environment in which the surface of the object was prepared prior to application of the coating (e.g. the temperature and / or humidity of the environment in which the surface was prepared); (ii) information on a surface preparation method used to prepare the surface of the object prior to application of the coating (e.g. whether the surface was prepared using abrasive blasting, water jetting, wire brushing, discsanding, needle chipping etc.); (iii) information on an environment in which the coating was applied to the surface of an object (e.g. the temperature and / or humidity of the environment in which the coating was applied); or (iv) information on an application method used to apply the coating to the surface of an object (e.g. whether the coating was applied using a brush, spray gun, roller, electrostatic application etc.). In examples whereby the model obtained at step S206 indicates how performance of a coating system comprising multiple coatings is expected to change over time, it will be appreciated that the multiple coatings may be applied in different environments and / or using different application methods, and the information about the object may comprise information on these different environments and / or application methods. Furthermore, the information about the object may be specific to the coating type of the coating(s) of the coating system. Taking the example of a chemical resistance protective coating, different models may be stored in dependence on one or more: (i) dimensions of the object; (ii) a material of the surface of the object; (iii) a position of the surface on the object (e.g. whether the surface is at the bottom, side, or top of a storage tank); and (iv) whether the object is stationary or moving in use. Taking the example of an anti-fouling protective coating that is applied to a marine vessel, different models may be stored in dependence on one or more: (i) speed of the vessel, (ii) area of the vessel (e.g. boot top, side bottom, flat bottom) (iii) voyage factor (i.e. how many days the vessel is sailing and idle), (iv) loading conditions (e.g. ballast or laden) and (v) if the vessel is subjected to proactive cleaning. Taking the example of an anti-corrosive protective coating, different models may be stored in dependence on one or more: (i) height above ground and / or sea level, (ii) orientation of the surface of the object (e.g. facing north, south etc.) and (iii) area on the object (e.g. vertical, horizontal). Taking the example of a thermal barrier protective coating, different models may be stored in dependence on one or more: (i) orientation of the surface of the object (e.g. facing north, south etc.) and (ii) area on the object (e.g. vertical, horizontal). In other embodiments, the model obtained at step S206 is generated from a model prestored in memory. In particular, a template model may be prestored in the memory 104 and / or an external data store (not shown in Figure 1) accessible to the CPU 102. This template model is then adapted in order to obtain the model that will be used to monitor the performance of the coating. The CPU 102 may be configured to retrieve a template model, and modify the template model using the environmental severity value. That is, the CPU 102 is configured to modify the template model based on the severity of environmental conditions in the environment of the object. This minimises data storage requirements as it is not necessary to store multiple different models. The CPU 102 may be configured to further modify the template model based on coating data associated with the coating. The coating data may comprise a coating type and / or a coating thickness that was used when then coating was applied to the surface of the object. Additionally or alternatively, the CPU 102 may be configured to further modify the template model based on information about the object, examples of which have been described above. For example, for an anti-fouling coating applied to a marine vessel, if the vessel has had a higher speed than planned and / or more idle days then the template model can be adapted based on this. Additionally or alternatively, the CPU 102 may be configured to modify the template model based on a measured performance value of the coating. For example, for an anti-corrosive protective coating, barrier properties (measured by for example electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) may be used to modify the template model. For a mechanical resistance protective coating, a film thickness can be measured (to get an indication how much the coating has been abraded) and used to modify the template model. For a thermal barrier protective coating, a surface temperature on the object can be measured and used to modify the template model. Additionally or alternatively, the CPU 102 may be configured to modify the template model based on information on post application actions performed on the coating. That is, the CPU 102 may be configured to modify the template model based on if any actions have been made to the coating after its application onto the surface of the object. As an example, for an anti-fouling protective coating, or a chemical resistance protective coating, the information on post application actions may comprise whether the coating has been cleaned, the cleaning method used, the duration of the cleaning, and / or substances used in the cleaning. A plurality of template models may be prestored in the memory 104 and / or an external data store (not shown in Figure 1) accessible to the CPU 102, whereby each template model is associated with an environmental severity value. In these embodiments, the CPU 102 is configured to retrieve a template model from the plurality of template models using the environmental severity value. This template model is then adapted in order to obtain the model that will be used to monitor the performance of the coating. The CPU 102 may be configured to modify the template model based on coating data associated with the coating. The coating data may comprise a coating type and / or a coating thickness that was used when the coating was applied to the surface of the object. Additionally or alternatively, the CPU 102 may be configured to modify the template model based on information about the object, examples of which have been described above. Additionally or alternatively, the CPU 102 may be configured to modify the template model based on a measured performance value of the coating, examples of which have been described above. Additionally or alternatively, the CPU 102 may be configured to modify the template model based on information on post application actions performed on the coating. Figure 3 illustrates models in the form of data curves, each data curve indicating how performance of a coating system is expected to change over time. The model 301 may indicate how performance of a coating is expected to change over time given a first environmental severity value and a first coating thickness. The model 302 may indicate how performance of the coating is expected to change over time given a second environmental severity value and a second coating thickness that is less than the first coating thickness, whereby the second environmental severity value indicates more severe environmental conditions in the environment of the object, than the first environmental severity value. The model 303 may indicate how performance of the coating is expected to change over time given the second environmental severity value and a third coating thickness that is less than the second coating thickness. The y-axis for the data curves shown in Figure 3 is a unit-less measure of performance, however the y-axis may alternatively represent numerical values of a measurable property of the coating. Persons skilled in the art are aware of methods to translate measured properties to a unit-less performance value between 0 and 100%. Taking an example of an anti-corrosive protective coating, no visual performance loss may correspond to a performance protection value of 100%, and a 10% spot rust may correspond to a performance protection value of 80% etc. There exist standards on how to evaluate the coating condition of an anti-corrosive protective coating, e.g. “ASTM D610 Standard Practice for Evaluating Degree of Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces”, or “ISO 4628-3 Paints and varnishes — Evaluation of degradation of coatings — Designation of quantity and size of defects, and of intensity of uniform changes in appearance Part 3: Assessment of degree of rusting”. In all these cases it is possible to map a measured value (barrier property, corrosion rate, ASTM “rust scale" / ISO “degree of rusting” value) to a unit less performance protection value between 0 and 100%. In examples whereby the method 200 is used to monitor the performance of a single coating, at step S208 the CPU 102 determines an expected state of the coating using the model and input data. The expected state of the coating comprises two components: (i) a performance value and (ii) an age of the coating i.e. a time period which has elapsed since the application of the coating to the surface. The input data provides one of the two components of the expected state of the coating, and the model and the input data are used to determine the other of the two components of the expected state of the coating. The input data may comprise an age of the coating i.e. a time period which has elapsed since the application of the coating to the surface. In these embodiments, at step S208 the CPU 102 determines the expected state by determining a performance value of the coating using the model and the time period. Figure 4 illustrates an example model 401 in the form of a data curve indicating how performance of a coating system comprising a single coating is expected to change over time. As illustrated in Figure 4, if in a first scenario 20 months had passed since application of the coating, an expected performance value of 24% would be determined by the CPU 102 (indicated by line 402). That is, the position on the data curve would be determined by the CPU 102. The input data may comprise a measured performance value of the coating. In these embodiments, at step S208 the CPU 102 determines the expected state by predicting the age of the coating (i.e. a time period which has elapsed since the application of the coating system to the surface) using the model and the measured performance value. The measured performance value may be obtained based on an evaluation of the performance of the coating e.g. using a measurement device and / or a visual inspection (e.g. according to an ASTM or ISO standard such as ISO4628-1 to 10 for anticorrosive protective coatings). As illustrated in Figure 4, if in a second scenario a performance value of 50% would be determined, the CPU 102 would predict an age of the coating of 15 months (indicated by line 403). That is, the position on the data curve would be determined by the CPU 102. Figure 4 further illustrates a third scenario whereby the CPU 102 has determined (using either method) the expected state of the coating as providing a performance value of 10% (indicated by line 404). The expected state of the coating provides an indication of the performance of the coating. It is necessary to compare the expected state to a predetermined performance threshold to determine whether this level of performance is acceptable or if any action (e.g. inspection, cleaning, make operational changes, change maintenance plan and / or coating re-application) is required. In examples whereby the method 200 is used to monitor the performance of a single coating, at step S210, the CPU 102 determines a performance state of the coating based on comparing the expected state to a predetermined performance threshold. The predetermined performance threshold may define a performance level at which the coating needs to be replaced. Alternatively, the predetermined performance threshold may define a performance level at which maintenance (e.g. inspection, cleaning, making operational changes, changing a maintenance plan and / or coating reapplication) needs to be performed on the coating. The CPU 102 may store the performance state of the coating in memory e.g. in the memory 104 and / or an external data store accessible to the CPU 102. The CPU 102 may output a message indicating the performance state. In one example, the CPU 102 may output the message to a display of the computing device 100. In another example, the CPU 102 may transmit the message to a remote computing device via the communication interface 110. The performance state may simply comprise an indication that the performance of the coating is above or below the performance threshold. In scenarios whereby the performance of the coating is above the performance threshold, the performance state may further comprise an indication of a time period after which the performance of the coating is expected to drop below the performance threshold. Figure 4 illustrates a performance threshold set at 15% (indicated by the dashed line). It will be appreciated that this particular value for the performance threshold is merely an example. In the first scenario, the CPU 102 is configured to determine that the performance value of 24% is greater than the 15% performance threshold. The CPU 102 may output a message indicating that no action is needed. The message may further indicate that the performance of the coating is expected to drop below the performance threshold after 3 months. In the second scenario, the CPU 102 is configured to determine that the performance value of 50% is greater than the 15% performance threshold. The CPU 102 may output a message indicating that no action is needed. The message may further indicate that the performance of the coating is expected to drop below the performance threshold after 8 months. In the third scenario, the CPU 102 is configured to determine that the performance value of 10% is less than the 15% performance threshold. The CPU 102 may output a message indicating that immediate action (maintenance of the object) is recommended. The CPU 102 may be configured to output the message indicating the performance state when it determines from the model that performance of the coating is expected to drop below the performance threshold within a predetermined time period (e.g. 3 months). For example, in embodiments whereby the predetermined performance threshold defines a performance level at which maintenance of the coating is required, the CPU 102 may be configured to output the message indicating the performance state to alert the user of the computing device 100 that maintenance must be carried out after the time period has elapsed (e.g. in 3 months time). The predetermined performance threshold may be set by the CPU 102 in dependence on a coating type of the coating. The predetermined performance threshold may be set based on an industry standard, an industry specification, and / or regulatory requirements. The predetermined performance threshold may be set in dependence on a user input provided via the input device. For example, the user may want to control the predetermined performance threshold based on their knowledge of what is acceptable performance of the coating. For an anti-corrosive protective coating, if the object is old it might be that some more corrosion is acceptable as the lifetime of the object is anyhow ending. In such a case the performance threshold value may be set lower than a predetermined performance threshold normally used for anti-corrosive protective coatings. If minimal damage to the object is desired, however, a higher threshold than a predetermined performance threshold normally used for anti-corrosive protective coatings would be set. In another example, the user may want to control the predetermined performance threshold based on their knowledge of what is the acceptable level of necessary coating repair work. If it is acceptable to fully blast the surface and recoat completely, the predetermined performance threshold may be set lower than a predetermined performance threshold normally used for anti-corrosive protective coatings. If the repair work should be minimized (e.g. only washing and recoating, no blasting) the predetermined performance threshold may be set higher than a predetermined performance threshold normally used for anti-corrosive protective coatings. For an anti-fouling protective coating applied to a marine vessel, the predetermined performance threshold may be set based on how much additional fuel consumption the vessel owner tolerates. A measured performance value may be used to modify the model used to determine the performance of the coating. For example, in the second scenario described above with reference to Figure 4, the measured performance value of 50% may be used to readjust the performance model by refitting the performance model such that it represents the slower observed decay. This adjusted model 501 (illustrated in Figure 5) would then be used for future monitoring of the performance of the coating. As illustrated in Figure 5, the adjusted model 501 indicates that the performance of the coating is expected to drop below the performance threshold 31 months after application Whilst embodiments are described herein with reference to monitoring the performance of a single coating that is applied to a surface of an object, embodiments extend to monitoring the performance of multiple coatings which form part, or the entirety of, a coating system. That is, the model obtained at step S206 may indicate how performance of multiple coatings of the coating system is expected to change over time. Furthermore, at step S208 the CPU 102 may determine an expected state of multiple coatings of the coating system using the model and input data. Furthermore, at step S210, the CPU 102 may determine a performance state of multiple coatings of the coating system based on comparing the expected state to a predetermined performance threshold.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring the performance of a coating system that is applied to a surface of an object, the method performed on a computing device and comprising:obtaining environmental data relating to an environment of the object;determining an environmental severity value using the environmental data, the environmental severity value indicating the severity of environmental conditions in the environment;obtaining a model using the environmental severity value, the model indicating how performance of at least one coating of the coating system is expected to change over time;determining an expected state of the at least one coating of the coating system using the model and input data; anddetermining a performance state of the coating system based on comparing the expected state to a predetermined performance threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining environmental data relating to the environment of the surface of the object is based on a coating type of the at least one coating of the coating system.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the determining the environmental severity value comprising computing the environmental severity value.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein computing the environmental severity value comprising inputting the environmental data into an equation.5 The method of claim 4, the method comprising selecting the equation based on a material of the surface.

6. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the determining the environmental severity value comprises:transmitting a query to a data store storing a plurality of environmental severity values each associated with the environmental data, the query comprising environmental data relating to an environment of the object; andreceiving a response to said query, the query comprising the environmental severity value.

7. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the coating system is a protective coating system, and the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of:an effect that the protective coating system is protecting against, and the expected state indicates the ability of the at least one coating to protect against said effect; anddegradation of the at least one coating, and the expected state indicates the degradation of the at least one coating,8. The method of claim 7, wherein the protective coating system comprises one or more of:(i) an anti-fouling protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: accumulation of marine fouling on the surface, and degradation of the anti-fouling protective coating;(ii) an anti-corrosive protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: corrosion of the surface, and degradation of the anticorrosive protective coating;(iii) a chemical resistance protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: chemical degradation of the surface, absorption by the chemical resistance protective coating of a chemical stored or transported by the object, and degradation of the chemical resistance coating;(iv) a thermal barrier protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: heat exchange of the surface and object with the environment, and degradation of the thermal barrier protective coating;(v) a mechanical resistance protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: mechanical degradation of the surface, and degradation of the mechanical resistance protective coating; and(vi) a UV resistance protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: degradation of the surface as a result of UV absorbance, and degradation of the UV resistance protective coating;(vii) a wood protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: degradation of the wood surface, and degradation of the wood protective coating;(viii) an anti-ice protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: build up of ice on the surface, and degradation of the anti-ice protective coating;(ix) a fire retarding or a fire protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to the coating decreasing its fire protection and / or fire retarding properties; and(x) a concrete protective coating, wherein the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to at least one of: degradation of the structural properties of the object, and degradation of the concrete protective coating.

9. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the coating system is configured to exhibit a property after application to the surface, the environmental severity value indicates the severity of environmental conditions in the environment which would lead to a degradation of the property of the coating system, and the expected state indicates a degradation of the property.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the property comprises one or more of: a colour, a gloss level, a surface texture, a surface pattern, a metallic effect, a friction reduction level, and a friction enhancement level.

11. The method of any preceding claim, wherein obtaining the model comprises retrieving the model using the environmental severity value and one or more of:coating data associated with each of the at least one coating; or information about the object.

12. The method of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein obtaining the model comprises retrieving a template model, and modifying the template model using the environmental severity value.

13. The method of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein obtaining the model comprises retrieving a template model using the environmental severity value, and modifying the template model.

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein modifying the template model comprises using one or any combination of:coating data associated with each of the at least one coating;information about the object;a measured performance value of the at least one coating; and information on post application actions performed on the at least one coating.

15. The method of claim 11 or 14, wherein the coating data comprises one or both of:a coating type of each of the at least one coating, and a thickness of each of the at least one coating.

16. The method of claim 11 or 14, wherein the information about the object comprises one or more of:information on an environment in which the surface of the object was prepared prior to application of the coating system;information on a surface preparation method used to prepare the surface of the object prior to application of the coating system;information on at least one environment in which the coating system was applied to the surface of an object; orinformation on at least one application method used to apply the coating system to the surface of an object.

17. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the input data comprises a time period which has elapsed since the application of the coating system to the surface, and determining the expected state comprises determining a performance value of the at least one coating using the model and the time period.

18. The method of any of claims 1 to 18, wherein the input data comprises a measured performance value of the at least one coating, and determining the expected state comprises predicting a time period which has elapsed since the application of the coating system to the surface using the model and the measured performance value.

19. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the predetermined performance threshold is set in dependence on a coating type of the at least one coating of the coating system.

20. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises outputting a message indicating the performance state.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the method comprises outputting the message to a display of the computing device.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the method comprises outputting the message for transmission to a remote computing device.

23. The method of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the method comprises outputting the message when performance of the at least one coating is expected to drop below the predetermined performance threshold within a predetermined time period.

24. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of a computing device, cause the processor to perform the method of any preceding claim.

25. A computing device comprising a processor configured to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 23.37

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