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John Crane Introduces the Versatile Type 93AX Coaxial Seal

John Crane, a prominent name in sealing technology, has officially launched its latest innovation: the Type 93AX Coaxial Seal. This cutting-edge product aims not only to enhance efficiency and performance but also to address specific challenges faced by customers in the energy and process sectors, including oil, gas, and renewable energy.

A Closer Look at the Type 93AX Seal

The new coaxial seal is engineered to provide substantial environmental benefits by minimizing nitrogen consumption by up to 80% compared to traditional radial seals. Designed with a robust, fail-safe construction, the Type 93AX seal maintains its performance even in case of multiple failure scenarios. This unique feature ensures consistent sealing performance, safeguarding essential equipment and facilitating continuous operations.

According to Mike Eason, Chief Technology Officer at John Crane, the development of the Type 93AX was driven by customer feedback, which highlighted the necessity for greater safety, efficiency, and reliability in sealing solutions.

Addressing Industry Challenges

Research shows that contaminants significantly contribute to the failure of dry gas seals, often resulting in unplanned maintenance and equipment downtime. The Type 93AX has been specifically engineered to prevent oil from entering the compressor bearing area, thus mitigating failure risks and ensuring smoother operations.

Deloitte estimates that the global process industry incurs around $50 billion annually due to unplanned downtime, with a staggering 42% linked to equipment failures. In energy and process applications, this translates to average losses of up to $42 million per facility per year. The Type 93AX aims to minimize both performance and financial risks by enhancing the overall reliability of compressor sealing systems and reducing the dependency on auxiliary infrastructure, like nitrogen generators and air compressors.

Resilience Through Operational Scenarios

The Type 93AX supports three key operating scenarios to adapt automatically in conditions of failure:
1. Standard Operation: Non-contact operation ensures secure oil intrusion protection.
2. Loss of Seal Gas: Continuity in non-contact operation and oil control even without seal gas.
3. Dry Gas Seal Failure: Limits process gas escape during compressor shutdowns (up to 35 bar) while maintaining sealing integrity at pressures up to 70 bar.

Supporting Sustainable Operations

By reducing nitrogen emissions and energy consumption, the Type 93AX significantly contributes to achieving sustainability goals in industrial processes. The International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that improving industrial efficiency could lead to a 12% reduction in global energy consumption by 2040, emphasizing the importance of innovative solutions like the Type 93AX.

A Future-Ready Solution

The Type 93AX is compatible with John Crane's existing dry gas sealing portfolio and is supported by a global network of over 200 locations, including manufacturing, sales, and service centers, as well as 13 turbo service centers distributed across more than 50 countries. It can be integrated as a bundled original equipment feature or compressor retrofit or offered as standalone products tailored to specific requirements.

For more details about this innovation, visit John Crane's official website.

In conclusion, John Crane continues its legacy as a key player in the development of critical technologies for the energy and process sectors. The Type 93AX Coaxial Seal exemplifies the company's commitment to providing reliable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable solutions, ensuring optimal operational performance in various industrial settings.