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Spring Energized Seals in Oil & Gas Industry
Spring-energized seals, as known as spring loaded seals, teflon spring seals, are utilized in various applications across different industries, from simple general industry to more complication application, oil & gas. These seals offer unique advantages, specifically in oil and gas applications, due to their ability to provide effective sealing in challenging environments. Here are some specific ways in which spring-energized seals are used in the oil and gas industry:
- Equipment involved with Dynamic sealing:
Spring-energized seals have excellent performance under rotary and reciprocating applications. Oil & Gas application involved with wide range of rotary equipment such as pumps, compressors, and turbines. The spring energizes seals and can provide reliable sealing for rotating shafts and prevent the leakage of fluids. It can protect a wide range of equipment from contaminants and operation malfunction.
- Valve Stem Seals:
Valve stem seals are important in the oil & gas industry as the system controls the oil consumption and lubricant in an engine. In most of the valve’s systems used in the oil and gas field, spring energized seals are often used to provide a secure sealing function around the valve stem. This helps prevent the leakage of any fluids and ensures the performance of the valve.
- High-Pressure Applications:
The oil and gas industry often involve in high-pressure conditions and spring-energized seals are designed to handle such extreme environments. With the help of the spring energizers, the seal is able to maintain consistent contact with the sealing surfaces, even under varying pressure conditions.
- Corrosive Environments:
In oil and gas applications, the seal can be exposed to corrosive substances. Spring energized seals with PTFE materials have excellent chemical resistance that can withstand abrasive media, making them suitable to be used in harsh and corrosive environments. Additionally, the material of the spring energizers are as well resist to abrasive environment.
- Cryogenic Applications:
Many oil and gas extraction operates in cryogenic temperature environment, for instance the North of Canada or Russia, and seals that are able to withstand such low temperature are required. With PTFE materials, spring energized seals can be designed to operate with cryogenic conditions. This allows them to not only operate in a low temperature environment but also work well in low temperature facilities, such as in liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities.
- Subsea Equipment:
In subsea applications, the equipment is located underwater therefore spring energized seals can contribute to preventing the ingress of seawater and maintaining the integrity of the subsea systems. With PTFE material, the properties of the seal can be adjusted through the different fillers added. These seals are suitable to withstand the challenges of subsea environments.
- Customization for Specific Conditions:
The oil and gas industry often requires seals that are allowed to be customized to specific conditions, for instance extreme temperature, exposure to various fluids and extreme pressure. Spring energized seals offer great flexibility in design and material selection to meet these specific requirements.
Overall, spring energized seals are excellent sealing component to be used in the oil and gas industry, offering effective sealing solutions in a variety of applications. It provides reliability, long sealing lifespan, customization flexibility and resistance to extreme environments. They became a valuable component in critical equipment within the industry.
Learn more about Spring Energized Seals (HiPerSeal®) here and contact us if you would like to make any inquiries.