#United Kingdom #Slough #John Crane #mechanical seal #Ethane Pipeline

John Crane's Type 8628VL Mechanical Seal

John Crane has launched a groundbreaking mechanical seal, the Type 8628VL, designed to meet the demanding challenges faced in the oil and gas sector, specifically in ethane and ethylene pipelines. With its innovative dual contactless sealing faces, this new seal aims to enhance sealing integrity under fluctuating pressure and temperature conditions, often encountered in complex pipeline infrastructures.

Addressing the Unique Challenges of Ethane Pipelines

Ethane pipelines are known for their unique fluid properties, which transition between liquid, vapor, and supercritical states. Such frequent phase changes can lead to conventional seals failing to maintain performance, resulting in operational inefficiencies and increased costs. The Type 8628VL tackles these issues head-on through the implementation of a patented spiral groove technology. This design allows for superior hydrodynamic lift and resilience during phase transitions, ensuring effective operation without wear even in volatile applications.

Research published by MDPI (Lubricants) confirmed the performance advantages of this contactless seal configuration, revealing that it greatly reduces friction and prolongs the life of the seal in dynamic conditions.

Field Implementation in the Gulf Coast

A leading ethane transmission company operating in the Gulf Coast faced serious operational problems due to phase changes during pumping. Specifically, the fluid transitions at controlled temperatures where ethane remains liquid around 18°C (65°F) and turns to vapor at roughly 32°C (89°F). These fluctuations left traditional seals vulnerable, leading to unsatisfactory reliability and increased downtime.

Recognizing the need for a robust solution, the operator installed four Type 8628VL seals in their ethane pumping equipment, previously characterized by inconsistent performance at around 1100 psi. After three months of operation, the findings were significantly promising:

• - Contactless performance sustained in all phases: liquid, vapor, and supercritical.
• - Extremely low leakage rates.
• - Zero failures reported in the operational period.

The senior reliability engineer from the client's operations noted, "The performance aligns with our expectations—consistent, reliable, and durable. Our confidence in uptime has greatly improved."

Major Benefits of the Type 8628VL

Here are some critical advantages of the Type 8628VL:

• - Enhanced Reliability: Offers nearly double the lifespan compared to traditional liquid barrier seals, achieving a mean time between repairs (MTBR) of 48 months or more.
• - Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability: Requires only 2 to 3 gallons per minute (GPM) of wash fluid, a stark reduction from the 10 to 30 GPM needed for contact seals. This efficiency cuts down size and cost associated with washing fluid systems.
• - Lower Operational Costs: Minimal maintenance requirements, resulting in reduced repair costs and downtime.
• - Simplified Sealing Systems: The dual, pressure-less configuration eliminates the need for complex systems per API standards, removing the need for liquid barrier fluids and associated cooling water.

Competitive Differentiation in a Changing Market

Mike Eason, Chief Technology Officer at John Crane, emphasized the unique operational capabilities of the Type 8628VL, especially compared to hybrid or contact seals. "This mechanical seal operates without contact even during rapid phase transitions," he stated. "This is a significant advancement for the industry. We strive to broaden our product portfolio to meet the reliability and energy transition goals of our clients. The Type 8628VL underscores our commitment to fostering innovation that enhances efficiency and achieves zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions."

In conclusion, as John Crane continues to lead the charge in mechanical seal technology, the Type 8628VL stands out as a pioneering solution for the oil and gas industry, aiming to resolve longstanding issues in ethane pipeline operations while boosting reliability, efficiency, and environmental sustainability.