Case History No. 1:  Rotary dryer/pre-dryer in a rape seed oil process
Problem:	Because of damage through wear, corrosion and steam, the flange surfaces of a rotary dryer, diameter 2400mm, could no longer be sealed using a composite aramid fibre gasket. The end-user was already looking for an alternative and knew that the cost of machining the flange surfaces to completely renew them would cost as much as €10k to €12k (£6k to £7k).
Solution:	GORE™ Series 300 Gasket Tape S300-3-25, 3mm thick and 25mm wide was installed. This tape gasket for metallic equipment flanges comes on a roll and readily conforms to uneven and damaged flanges.
Conclusion:	By installing GORE™ Series 300 Gasket Tape, the user saved the additional expense of repairing the flange. The joint has remained tight and problem free ever since installation. In addition to finding a sealing solution, the user has also been able to minimise his stock holding of gasket material. The job formerly done by an aramid gasket is now fulfilled by a gasket on a roll with higher operational safety.
Case History No. 2:  Reactor in a fuel additive production process
Problem:	In the production of polyisobutylen, a reactor, over 6m high and with a diameter of 2400mm, was being operated in the temperature range 190°C to 200°C at a pressure of 4 bar. Graphite gaskets were being used, but leakage would occur in under a year. Because of the size of the equipment, it would take two days to replace the gasket and this involved using a crane to lift the top off the reactor and extra maintenance personnel working round the clock.
Solution:	GORE™ Series 300 Gasket Tape S300-3-15, 3mm thick and 15mm wide was initially installed in 1999 and the equipment has run since without any problems. This includes start-up of the process following annual shutdowns for standard maintenance work when the equipment is taken from ambient temperature to operating temperature with no leakage being experienced.
Conclusion:	Installation of GORE™ Series 300 Gasket Tape saved the user additional, unplanned shutdowns thereby saving costs involved in production stoppages, crane hire and additional labour. Also in this application, as well as increasing operational safety, the user was able to reduce his stock holding of gaskets.
Case History No. 3:  A damper on a reactor for isobutyric acid production
Problem:	A damper in an approximately 15 year old production line for isobutyric acid was operating at about 400 mbar to 1100 mbar pressure with thermal cycling between ambient temperature and 150°C. The flanges were almost oval, 1900mm wide and 600mm high and slightly damaged. Because of misuse of the cover with its approximately 2.20m deep steam heated calorifier, to completely dismantle the unit was very complex. To install a new compound graphite gasket, as was previously being used, the cover with calorifier had to be pulled wide enough apart to allow a mechanic to work between the cover and reactor flange. Each segment of the gasket then had to be stuck to the face of the vertical flange. Because of the relatively low available bolt load as well as the damaged flange face, leakage occurred.
Solution:	Since installation of GORE™ Series 300 Gasket Tape S300-6-20, 6mm thick and 20mm wide, the equipment has operated problem-free. Because of its high compressibility the tape compensates for any flange damage. The tape needs only to be joined in one place using a skived cut.
Conclusion:	The time and expense involved in installing a new gasket has now been significantly reduced by using GORE™ Series 300 Gasket Tape because it can be simply taken straight off the roll. The cover needs only to be raised about 40cm. In addition the installation is safer because this gasket, unlike the previous material, is not made up of segments which have to be stuck together in place. Also, in addition to being installation-friendly, GORE™ Series 300 Gasket Tape offers a leak-free and safer installation.

Technical Information

Please, visit our multilingual download page for Data Sheets, Technical PDFs, Installation Instructions etc.