A DGS11.1 seals a compressor in the fertilizer production facility at Incitec Pivot Limited in Australia. In addition, Espey WD400 nitrogen-buffered carbon floating ring seals are used to seal the bearings. The process medium is a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen. The seal is designed for frequent slow roll operation when starting and stopping the machine.
During the production of ammonia, carbon dioxide is removed from the process with Benfield solution – an aqueous potassium carbonate solution with diethanolamine. HJS1 type mechanical seals have proven to be best for sealing the pumps in this area.
Typical operating conditions: p = 2 … 4 bar (29 ... 58 PSI), t = 100 … 150 °C (212 ... 302 °F), n = 1,500 min-1.
The high-efficiency NMB-16P-2R-45-SC magnetic coupling as a hermetic seal in a vertical pump. The process medium – a mixture of ammonia and propane – has very poor lubricating properties. The low temperature (-45 °C (-49 °F)) plays a decisive role in the choice of materials.
The Columbian Chemicals production facilities in Centerville, LA, USA have a number of expansion joints installed in the exhaust gas system.
Operating conditions: p = 0.35 bar (5 PSI), t = 760 °C (1,400 °F).
Expansion joints are applied in the processing of anhydrite at GBC Gulf Bayport Chemicals LP in Pasadena, TX, USA.
Operating conditions: p = 3.1 bar (45 PSI), t = 260 °C (500 °F).
A type DGS30 gas-lubricated mechanical seal is used to seal a compressor in BASF’s synthesis gas plant in Shanghai, China. Nitrogen-buffered Espey WD400 floating ring seals seal the bearings. The process medium is carbon dioxide.
Operating conditions: p1 (dynam.) = 18.5 bar (268 PSI), t = 70 °C (158 °F), n = 25,750 min-1.
Liquid, high-purity ethylene is pumped in the cracker operated by the Dow Olefinverbund in Böhlen, Germany. The pump shaft is sealed by a MFLCT80S1 type triple seal. The metal bellows seal has clear benefits at the temperatures down to -100 °C (-148 °F) encountered in this environment. A TS2000 type Thermosiphon system supplies the seal.
Expansion joints are used in pipes carrying steam at Eastman Chemical Co. in Kingsport, TN, USA.
Operating conditions: p = 0.55 bar (8 PSI), t = 427 °C (800 °F).
At the cumene alkylation plant operated by a German chemical company, a series of chemical standard pumps are sealed with Cartex type cartridge seals. The process medium is a mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons, so the TA-Luft (Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control) must be taken into account. A TS2000 type Thermosiphon system is used to supply the seals.
Bayer in Leverkusen, Germany, uses several screw spindle pumps to manufacture preproducts for polyurethane production that are sealed with MAK66S3 type magnetic couplings. The process media are various polyethers with viscosities up to 3,500 mPas.
Operating conditions: p = 6 bar (87 PSI), t = 20 … 80 °C (68 ... 176 °F), n = 350 … 1,500 min-1.
Several metal expansion joints are employed in the ethylene cracker at Nova Chemicals in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.
Operating conditions: p = 3.45 bar (50 PSI), t = 420 °C (788 °F).
Sealing of a centrifugal pump for the production of aromatic compounds at Shell in the Netherlands. The high drive power of 75 kW makes it necessary to apply a high efficiency NMB-22P-9R-35-ND magnet coupling. This uniquely efficient magnetic coupling drastically reduces power losses and the associated heat generation.
Operating conditions: p = 35 bar (508 PSI), t = 20 °C (68 °F), n = 990 min-1.
The El Dorado Chemical Co. in Arkansas, USA, uses metal expansion joints in the plant for production nitric acid.
Operating conditions: p = 10 bar (145 PSI), t = 649 °C (1,200 °F).
Wacker Chemie AG in Burghausen, Germany, seals a number of top-drive high pressure reactors for polymer dispersion production with HSHLV-D type high pressure seals with cooling flange. A shared buffer system supplies all the seals.
Operating conditions: p1 = vacuum … 100 bar (1,450 PSI), t = … 100 °C (212 °F), n = 25 … 100 min-1.
A Roth pump, sealed with a MAK66 magnetic coupling, in use at a manufacturer of soap and cleaning agents in the US.
Operating conditions: p = 22 bar (319 PSI), t = 50 °C (122 °F), n = 3,500 min-1.
Dupont de Nemours and Company in Pass Christian, MS, USA, uses several expansion joints in steam / colored pigment production.
Operating conditions: p = +0.48 … -0.48 bar (+70 ... -70 PSI), t = 354 °C (669 °F).
Tytan Organics Chemical Co. in the United Arab Emirates uses glass-lined reactor vessels to produce concrete plasticizers. The flanges and covers are sealed with Burachem multi-gaskets made from pure PTFE. Medium: Napthalene sulphonate formaldehyde.
Operating conditions: p = 6 bar (87 PSI), t = 220 °C (428 °F).
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Sealing of tank loading and unloading pumps with MFLS12 metal bellows seal. The low temperatures demand the application of special seal face and secondary sealing materials with BAM approval.
Typical operating conditions: p = 5 bar (73 PSI), t = -190 °C (-310 °F), n = 6,000 … 8,000 min-1.
Gas-lubricated MFLC-GS metal bellows seals as single or double seals for the shafts of process pumps in air separation plants. Typical process media are liquefied gases such as nitrogen. The low temperatures require special materials for the secondary seals, such as the proven Statotherm graphite seals.
Operating conditions: p = … 25 bar (363 PSI), t = … -199 °C (-326 °F), n = 6,000 … 8,000 min-1.
In an air separation plant in Austria, the compressor for production technical gases is sealed by a gas-lubricated DGS20 mechanical seal.
Operating conditions: p = 7 … 30 bar (102 ... 435 PSI), t = 40 … 70 °C (104 ... 158 °F), n = 10,000 … 20,250 min-1.