Summary
The refinery used 73" diameter, metal, double-jacketed gaskets on the heat exchanger, which was used in a hydrofluoric acid process operating at 368°F and 175 psi. Flange surfaces had corroded. The metal gaskets then could not seal the corroded surfaces, and leaks resulted. To correct the problem, the plant engineers considered machining the flange surfaces.
GORE® Joint Sealant was used instead.
Results
The GORE® Joint Sealant sealed the corroded surfaces, saving the refinery $8,000 in machining costs. Also, this sealing solution was less expensive on a per-gasket basis than the metal double-jacketed gasket. It was installed by simply opening the flange enough to remove the old gasket, then installing the GORE® Joint Sealant.
Summary
A pulp mill operating a 700 ton/day KAMYR digester needed to seal the top separator lid of this unit. Both asbestos and compressed non-asbestos pre-cut gaskets had been used, with inconsistent results. Moreover, the use of numerous pre-cut gaskets required considerable inventory stocking.
Results
GORE® Joint Sealant was used. After the gasketing switch was made, the operation experienced consistent and reliable sealing performance. Further benefits cited by the user were inventory savings (not having to stock pre-cut gaskets) and easier gasket removal. As result of this experience, the mill expanded its use of GORE® Joint Sealant beyond the digester to other applications in the plant such as manways, hand-holes, pumps, and heat exchangers.
Summary
A power cooperative needed to replace the sealing materials with asbestos that they were using. Also, other replacement materials tested to seal hatches and flanges could not be held in place with their adhesive backing. They had less adhesive strength.
Results
GORE® Joint Sealant was used in demineralizer, waste water, service water, scrubber and coal handling systems. Comparison to GORE® Joint Sealant found that it adhered significantly better, making it easier to install. Overall, sealing performance results were very positive, and use of the product was expanded across the plant.
Summary
A manufacturer of security paper used for printing travelers' checks, vouchers, and passports was experiencing a sealing problem. There were 16 drying cylinders on site, 12 of which dated back to 1912. Operating at up to 1.3 bar steam at 160°C, the cylinder manholes had to be secured using eight bolts. Due to their age and worn flange finish, a reliable seal could not be achieved, even after flange machining. The previous sealant was proofed asbestos, which lasted only several months before steam would start to leak. As retorquing did not reseal, the manufacturer simply accepted the steam energy loss.
Results
GORE® Joint Sealant was fitted in mid 1998, and no leakages have been experienced since. The plant does not expect to have to replace the GORE® Joint Sealant until the cylinders are due for inspection, two years after initial installation.