The changing face of seals
19 Nov 2001
New sealing technology from John Crane promises to give improved performance for reduced cost.
The 'LaserFace' seal system, a low-friction development of the company's tried-and-tested spiral groove sealing technology, is aimed at applications where process fluids are near their boiling point, and where heat from friction would cause them to vapourise.
The faces of the LaserFace are etched with a series of grooves which pull liquid into the gap between the two seal faces, creating fluid film which exerts a strong hydrodynamic pressure force. This separates the faces, enhancing lubrication and reducing wear. Another set of grooves returns the interface fluid to the sealed fluid, which reduces leakage to the atmosphere.
The low-friction performance of the seal means that no extra cooling equipment is needed. The company claims that the power consumption of the seals is 50 per cent lower than comparable systems.
The first market to benefit from the seals is the oil and gas sector, which will be able to buy the 1648 low-emission cartridge seal with LaserFace plates.
