#England #Slough #John Crane #Type 8628VL #ethane pipelines

John Crane Introduces the Type 8628VL Mechanical Seal

In a significant advancement for the oil and gas sector, John Crane has unveiled its latest innovation, the Type 8628VL mechanical seal. Designed to tackle the complexities faced in maintaining sealing integrity within multiphase ethane and ethylene pipelines, this state-of-the-art seal aims to provide unparalleled reliability and operational efficiency, particularly under variant pressure and temperature conditions.

Understanding the Challenges of Ethane Pipelines

Ethane pipelines encounter unique obstacles as the fluid transitions between different phases—liquid, vapor, and supercritical—often leading to seals malfunctioning due to these pressures. Conventional sealing technologies struggle to cope with these rapid phase shifts, resulting in reduced performance and increased maintenance needs. The Type 8628VL’s design concentrates on addressing these issues specifically.

Innovative Design Features

Utilizing groundbreaking dual non-contacting seal faces arranged in a tandem configuration, the Type 8628VL leverages spiral groove technology. Peer-reviewed research published in Lubricants (MDPI) confirms that this design promotes superior hydrodynamic lift and phase-change resilience, proving that it effectively accommodates the fluid's varying states while minimizing friction and wear.

Case Study: Successful Field Installations

Recent field deployments on the U.S. Gulf Coast highlight the efficacy of the Type 8628VL. A prominent ethane transmission operator struggled with phase changes and pressure fluctuations during pumping operations. Ethane behaves as a liquid at around 18°C (65°F) and 40 bar (580 psi), shifting to vapor at roughly 32°C (89°F). This transition often caused reliability issues, impacting both uptime and seal durability.

To resolve this, the operator installed four Type 8628VL seals on equipment that had been previously showing inconsistent performance at approximately 1100 psi. The results from three months of continuous operation were promising:

• - Non-contacting performance across all phases—liquid, vapor, and supercritical.
• - Extremely low leakage rates.
• - Zero mechanical failures.

“Performance has exceeded our expectations—consistent, reliable, and robust,” remarked a senior reliability engineer from the customer site. This deployment led to notable service turnaround improvements and, crucially, reduced refurbishment times. Additionally, by enhancing the seal's multiphase capabilities, they significantly lowered maintenance costs associated with premature seal failures.

Key Advantages of the Type 8628VL

1. Enhanced Reliability: This seal operates almost twice as long as traditional wet seals, boasting a mean time between repair (MTBR) of up to 48 months.
2. Efficiency and Sustainability: Requiring just 2-3 GPM of flushing fluid—compared to 10-30 GPM with contacting seals—this feature represents significant cost and resource savings.
3. Lower Operating Costs: The Type 8628VL’s minimal maintenance requirements are a game-changer for operators.
4. Simplicity in Design: The dual unpressurized arrangement of the seal negates the necessity for complex supporting systems, eliminating the need for liquid barrier fluids.

Competitive Edge in the Market

“Unlike hybrid or contacting seals, the Type 8628VL guarantees pure non-contacting functionality, even amidst rapid phase transitions,” noted Mike Eason, John Crane's Chief Technology Officer. This innovation marks a significant leap for the industry, aligning with customer demands for reliability and energy efficiency while targeting zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Conclusion

The introduction of the Type 8628VL mechanical seal positions John Crane at the forefront of mechanical sealing technology within the oil and gas industry. By consistently delivering robust performance, the Type 8628VL not only meets the existing challenges faced by operators but also sets the stage for future advancements aimed at sustainability and efficiency.