Multiphase Lubricating Ethane Pipeline Seal
John Crane’s Type 8628VL is designed for ethane and ethylene pipeline operators because we know that these materials can change phase in the pipeline.
Unlike conventional seals, the Type 8628VL features a multiphase seal face lubrication design that results in a fully non-contacting seal. Test results indicate that this can extend mean time between repair (MTBR) to up to 48 months and even longer. Compared to conventional mechanical seals used in ethane and ethylene pipeline applications, John Crane’s Type 8628VL can reduce the total cost of ownership by delivering more efficient and reliable operations and improving uptime.
Get in Touch With Our Experts
Learn more about the benefits of the Type 8628VL, which helps ethane and ethylene pipeline operators enhance reliability and increase efficiency for a reduced total cost of ownership.
How it Works: John Crane’s Multiphase Non-Contacting Pipeline Seal in Action
In conventional contacting wet seals, such as those that use liquid ethane as a lubricant, the hydrocarbon must remain a liquid to be effective. The Type 8628VL uses spiral groove technology to seal ethene at pipeline pressures without face contact — helping keep mechanical seals operating efficiently and reliably whether ethane is in the liquid, supercritical or vapour phase. Explore the benefits of the Type 8628VL for light hydrocarbon pipelines in regions where mechanical seals approach critical phase change temperatures.
Recommended for You
Features
- The Type 8628VL seals purity ethane and ethylene in both static and dynamic conditions.
- This liquid film riding, non-contacting pipeline seal uses spiral groove technology to seal ethane and ethylene at pipeline pressure without face contact. It does so by operating with full face lubrication on phase changing fluids’ liquid, supercritical and vapour phases.
- Face contacting seals configured as tandem seals depend upon liquid phase process fluid (ethane or ethylene) for inboard seal face lubrication and often 15 to 30 GPM of filtered flush flow for cooling of the faces. The Type 8628VL requires only 2 to 3 GPM flush fluid flow for operation
- Face contacting seals have been applied with sophisticated, expensive lubrication systems like API Plan 54 systems requiring utility power and separate barrier fluids.
- The Type 8628VL is a non-contacting seal that uses process fluid even when changes in the fluid phase occur, which provides reliable seal face lubrication and extended mean time between repair (MTBR).
Parameters
- Temperatures: -26°C to 121°C (-15°F to 250°F)
- Pressures:
103 barg (1500 psig) dynamic operating
124 barg (1800 psi) static operating
155 barg (2250 psig) static structural integrity - Speed: 1450 to 3600 rpm up to 25.4 m/s (5000 fpm)
Recommended Applications
- Ethane and ethylene pipelines (light hydrocarbon)
- Petrochemical and point of use feedstock markets
Non-Contacting Seal Benefits for Ethane Pipelines
Conventional mechanical seals operate with face contact and are lubricated by process liquid. These process lubricated seals are not capable of operating fully lubricated where phase change occurs. The Type 8628VL is designed to operate as a fully non-contacting seal, removing both these operating challenges.
Non-contacting mechanical seals can operate continuously for nearly twice as long as a mechanical seal with a liquid barrier fluid. Test results indicate that John Crane’s Type 8628VL can deliver an extended MTBR of up to 48 months and beyond.
Enhanced Reliability
With tests indicating an extended MTBR of up to 48 months and beyond, John Crane’s Type 8628VL is designed to increase equipment uptime, supporting uninterrupted pipeline operation. Non-contacting pipeline seals can operate continuously for nearly twice as long as a wet seal with a liquid barrier fluid.
Greater Efficiency
The Type 8628VL reduces flush fluid and energy consumption.
The 8628VL is designed to use up to 10x less flush fluid. It can significantly reduce parasitic horsepower losses compared to traditional full face contacting technology. Face contacting seals configured as tandem seals depend upon liquid phase process fluid (ethane or ethylene) for inboard seal face lubrication and cooling, often 15 to 30 GPM of filtered flush flow for cooling of the faces. The Type 8628VL requires only 2 to 3 GPM flush fluid flow for operation.
By maintaining seal face lubrication, the Type 8628VL eliminates face friction and reduces energy consumption for your pump.
Shorter Servicing Lead Times
The 8628VL is serviceable at local John Crane service centres. We maintain critical inventory elements and rebuild-ready hardware designs, which supports shorter lead times compared to conventional mechanical seal refurbishments.
Enhance Your Ethane Pipeline Operation with the Type 8628VL
Tired of the reliability and lubrication issues posed by conventional contacting wet seals? Contact our experts to explore how John Crane’s non-contacting multiphase mechanical seal can enhance the reliability, efficiency and servicing of your ethane pipeline.