Mechanical seals in use - translated testimonial letters from grateful Customers, mainly oil refineries, petrochemical plants and Gazprom plants about successful use of TREM Engineering's mechanical seals and other products.

This reference from the Kirishi Oil Refinery, dated March 2005, signed by Senior Engineer (Mech.), says that TREM Engineering’s mechanical seals, packing, and gaskets have been used since 1999 at the following applications:

“1. SD series metal bellows tandem mechanical seals are used in pumps at crude distillation units, vacuum distillation units, hydrotreating, reforming, gas plant, maximum temperature being 360C, and maximum pressure being 25 bar. There are no complaints about the supplied mechanical seals.

2. Mechanical packing types MC131, MC101, MC250, MC510, and MC500 are widely used in process valves, pipeline valves, steam valves, and pumps. There are no complaints about the sealing products.

3. Gaskets types MG140, MG140-3, MG140-5, MG140-6, spiral wound gaskets are widely used on flanges of process valves, pipeline valves, pump flanges, heat exchangers at crude distillation units, vacuum distillation units, hydrotreating, reforming, gas plant. There are no complaints about the sealing products.”

The reference states that “all products demonstrate high quality conform to industry standards, which helps to maintain industrial, fire and ecological safety.”

This reference from the Kuibishev Oil Refinery, dated December 2004, signed by Senior Engineer (Mech.), says that TREM Engineering’s mechanical seals, packing, and gaskets have been successfully used since 2002:

“1. Repair kits for Burgmann mechanical seals at the AVT-5 crude and vacuum distillation unit, which helps to increase reliability and lower repair kits’ purchasing costs, compared to original repair kits.

2. SD series metal bellows tandem mechanical seals, sizes 60…90mm. Being similar to the best western manufacturers’ mechanical seals, these seals help to ensure stable operation of pumps. SD series mechanical seals were installed for first time in 2002 at the AVT-4 crude and vacuum distillation unit. At present, 40+ mechanical seals are used to seal naphtha, diesel oil, vacuum gas oil, reflux, bitumen, etc, with temperature from +20C to +350C and pressure up to 60 bar in Plants 1, 3, and 10. The mechanical seals were ordered complete with barrier fluid tanks, some with instrumentation and control, which are also being successfully used.

3. MC131 mechanical packing is used to seal naphtha, fuel gas, diesel oil valve stems with temperature up to +230C and pressure up to 56 bar in Plants 1 and 10.

4. MD100 seal rings is successfully used to seal heavy hydrocarbons with temperature up to +370C and pressure up to 20 bar in Plant 3.

5. MG140 flexible graphite cut gaskets are used to seal flanges and heat exchangers with temperature up to +370C and pressure up to 25 bar in Plants 1 and 3.

6. In addition to the above, MV410 spiral wound gaskets are used seal flanges, pumps, etc. Also ME132 braided graphite tape is used to seal flanges, including pitted ones.

The high quality of sealing products and mechanical seals is up to date with today’s technical and ecology specifications. There have not been any complaints from unit mechanical engineers during this period. Further use of TREM Engineering’s products is advised. For 2005 more equipment is planned to be equipped with the above products.”

This reference from the Mozyr Oil Refinery, dated March 2003, signed by Senior Engineer (Mech.), says:

“At the visbreaker and FCC units we have Flowserve pumps, supplied in 2001-2002, which were originally equipped with John Crane and Flowserve mechanical seals. In 2003 and 2004 we installed TREM Engineering’s SD series metal bellows tandem mechanical seals to replace the original seals.

At present the SD series mechanical seals are running, without complaints on our part. The MTBR of SD series mechanical seals is as long as, and in many cases longer than that of the John Crane and Flowserve mechanical seals.”

This reference from the Nizhnekamsk Lubricants and Additives Plant, dated September 2002, signed by Technical Director, comments on TREM Engineering’s 70 SD-V mechanical seal operation:

“According to Unit 39/4 equipment upgrade project, shaft seal of pump P-109A was changed from mechanical packing to TREM Engineering’s mechanical seal type 70 SD-V at 01.03.02.

The application date is the following:

• Pump model: NK 65/35-240
• Sealed product: wax 24-35% and solvents 65-76% plus solids 0.02%
• Temperature: 120°C
• Discharge pressure: 21 bar

The pump was started on 01.03.02. Since then the pump is operating normally:

• Barrier fluid temperature is 75°C
• The barrier fluid level in the tank is stable
• The pump [due to process reasons] has been shut down and re-started about 10-12 times
• There is no leakage of product or barrier fluid.

Pump running time since start up is 3672 hours [at the moment].

During installation of the mechanical seals SKF (Sweden) bearings size 6216 and 7414 were also installed.

We are going to use more 70 SD-V mechanical seals in process pumps of dewaxing, phenol extraction, and others, as per the Safety Improvement Program.”

This reference from the Nizhnekamsk Oil Refinery, dated March 2004, signed by Senior Engineer (Mech.), comments on TREM Engineering’s mechanical seals, packing, and gaskets:

“SD series metal bellows tandem mechanical seals have been used since the year of 2000:

• In [local manufacturer’s] pumps Type NK and NKV at ELOU AVT-7 crude and vacuum distillation unit, visbreaker (hot hydrocarbons (heavy fuel oil, residue, gas oil) with temperature up to +380C) – no complaints
• In western manufacturer’s pumps (FLOWSERVE and others) at visbreaker and vacuum distillation unit – no complaints
• In [local manufacturer’s chemical] pumps Type HM at visbreaker (hydrogen sulphide saturated methyl-diethanolamine solution) – no complaints.

MC131 Mechanical packing for valves has been used since 1999 in:
furnace valves, hot pipeline valves (light and heavy hydrocarbons, steam, condensate, hot water, with temperatures up to 380C and pressure up to 40 bar) – no complaints.

MG140 cut gaskets and sheets have been used since 1999 in:
furnace and pipeline valves flanges, hot pump flanges, heat exchangers at ELOU AVT-7 crude and vacuum distillation, visbreaker, bitumen units (light and heavy hydrocarbons, steam, condensate, hot water, with temperatures up to 380C and pressure up to 40 bar) – no complaints.

Spiral wound gaskets with and without gauge rings, as per [local] OST and ANSI standards have been used since 1999 in:
Pipeline, reactor, heat exchanger, pump flanges, at ELOU AVT-7 crude and vacuum distillation, visbreaker, KGSD (hydrotreating), bitumen, hydrogen units (light and heavy hydrocarbons, steam, condensate, hot water, amines, fluids with high hydrogen sulphide content, with temperatures up to 380C and pressure up to 40 bar) – no complaints.

MG140-6 cut gaskets (graphite on stainless steel ring) have been used since 1999 in:
Pipeline, reactor, heat exchanger, pump flanges, at ELOU AVT-7 crude and vacuum distillation, visbreaker, KGSD (hydrotreating), bitumen, hydrogen units (light and heavy hydrocarbons, steam, condensate, hot water, amines, fluids with high hydrogen sulphide content, with temperatures up to 380C and pressure up to 40 bar) – no complaints.

All installed mechanical seals and sealing materials are working well, conform to OST and safety standards, ensuring a high level of industrial, fire, and ecological safety.”

This reference from the Omsk Oil Refinery, dated October 2003, signed by Unit Senior Maintenance Engineer, comments on TREM Engineering’s mechanical seals installed at the AVT-10 crude and vacuum distillation unit.

“At present SD Series [metal bellows] mechanical seals are installed at the AVT-10 crude and vacuum distillation unit at the following positions:

• p-101, p-101A, hydrocarbons, 285°C
• p-106, p-106A, hydrocarbons, 288°C
• p-108, p-108A, hydrocarbons, 351°C
• p-109, p-109A, hydrocarbons, 351°C
• p-105, p-105A, hydrocarbons, 283°C
• p-104, p-104A, hydrocarbons, 261°C
• p-103, p-103A, hydrocarbons, 198°C
• p-102, p-102A, hydrocarbons, 205°C

The mechanical seals were installed in November, 2002. At present all mechanical seals are running. Cooled flush is not used. During unit start-up the mechanical seal at P-106 failed (leaked into the barrier fluid tank) as a result of pump running dry for several hours because of difficult unit starting in cold weather. In general, the mechanical seals showed high resistance to abnormal pump operation at start up. We do not have any complaints about work of these mechanical seals. Seals work under API Plan 52 (barrier fluid tank without pressure, with instrumentation and control).”

This reference from the Omsk Oil Refinery, dated 2005, signed by Chief Engineer, comments on TREM Engineering’s mechanical packing, gaskets, and mechanical seals installed at the following positions:

“SD series metal bellows tandem mechanical seals are being used in [local manufacturer’s] pumps NK, NKV, and NSD, pumping hot hydrocarbons (heavy fuel oil, bitumen, gas oil) (hot hydrocarbons (heavy fuel oil, residue, gas oil) with temperature up to +380C. The seals are installed without any additional heat exchangers [inside the seal chamber]. Cooled flush lines have been cut off. Up to now there have been no complaints about the products.

MC131 mechanical packing for valves is used throughout the plant in furnace valves, hot pipeline valves, steam valves. Up to now there have been no complaints about the products.

MG140 cut gaskets and sheets and spiral wound gaskets are used throughout the plant on furnace valve flanges, pipeline valve flanges, pump flanges, and heat exchangers. Up to now there have been no complaints about the products.

All installed mechanical packing, gaskets, and mechanical seals are in operation which shows the high quality, fully conform to OST, RD, and PB [Russian safety] standards, contributing to a high level of industrial, fire, and ecological safety.”

This reference from the Orenburg Gazprom gas refinery, dated November 2004, signed by Senior Engineer (Mech.), comments on TREM Engineering’s mechanical packing, gaskets, and mechanical seals:

“TREM Engineering’s’ sealing products have been used at Orenburg Gazprom gas refinery since 2002. These products are mainly used for sealing high temperature or chemically aggressive fluids like hot hydrocarbons or fluids containing hydrogen sulfide. The following products have been used since 2002:

MC131 mechanical packing are being used for valves with pressure up to 30 bars and temperature up to 300C; steam condensate pumps with pressure up to 5 bars and temperature up to 120C.

MV410 spiral wound gaskets, with OD up to 2030mm, are being used in pipeline, valve, pump, and heat exchanger flanges with pressure up to 30 bars and temperature up to 300C.

Mechanical seals are being used in [local manufacturer’s] pumps NPS, MT, and NK series, pumping LPG, with temperature 50C and intake pressure up to 25 bars.

During this period we have had no complaints about TREM Engineering’s mechanical seals and sealing materials. The products fully satisfy our specifications. More purchases are planned for 2005.”

This reference from the Ryazan Oil Refinery, dated October 2002, signed by Senior Engineer (Mech.), comments on monitored use of TREM Engineering’s mechanical seals, packing, and gaskets:

“1. 70 SD-V metal bellows dual mechanical seal has been working at the AVT-3 [crude and vacuum distillation unit], Plant 1, in crude oil, temperature 260C, since November, 2001, without any product complaints.

2. 60 SD-V metal bellows dual mechanical seal has been working at the AT-5 [crude distillation unit], Plant 1, in naphtha, temperature 160C, since November, 2001, without any product complaints.

3. Spiral wound gaskets OD 2700 and 3100mm have been working at the 1A-1M [catalytic cracking unit], Plant 2, in hydrocarbons, temperature up to +650C, since October, 2001, without any product complaints.

4. MC131 mechanical packing (reinforced graphite) has been working at the 1A-1M [catalytic cracking] and TK-1 units, Plant 2, in all hot product valves with light and heavy hydrocarbons, temperature up to +400C, pressure up to 40 bars, since Summer-Autumn, 2001, without any product complaints.

5. MG140 cut gaskets (flexible graphite reinforced with stainless steel foil) have been working at the 1A-1M and TK-1, Plant 2, with light and heavy hydrocarbons, temperature up to +400C, pressure up to 40 bars, since Summer-Autumn, 2001, without any product complaints.

6. Spiral wound gaskets have been working at the SKU unit, Plant 8, in steam and hot hydrocarbons, since 2000-2001, without any product complaints.”

This reference from the Syzran Oil Refinery, dated October, 2003, signed by Senior Engineer (Mech.), comments on 60 SDN mechanical seal operation at Unit 24/8:

“… the mechanical seal was installed in a TKA [local manufacturer’s model] pump at process Position L-24/8s (hydrotreated residue, 360C), Pump House 3, Plant 18, Syzran Oil Refinery, and up to this moment the seal has been operated for 5125 hours during 1 year and 2 months.

During this period of time the pump with this mechanical seal was switched into operation and back to stand-by mode (about 50 times in total).

It was noted that USG series [o-ring] mechanical seals made by Nalchik Works, installed in nearby pumps, had failed several times, each, during the same period of time.

A was also noted that after steam-cleaning of the pump (which is the usual cleaning procedure) it was not necessary to remove and disassemble the seal for servicing.

During all this period of operation the mechanical seal was neither repaired nor serviced.

Considering the above, use of mechanical seals of this type at similar process positions is recommended.”

This reference from a Elhovneft plant (Tatneft Company), dated July 2004, signed by Chief Engineer of the plant, comments on TREM Engineering’s mechanical seals, packing, and gaskets working since 2000 at the following positions:

“1. SD series metal bellows tandem mechanical seals

- in [local manufacturer’s] pumps Type NK210/200, processed crude oil, temperature up to 350°C,

- in [local manufacturer’s] pumps Type 4NK-5x1, crude oil and diesel oil, temperature from -30°C to +40°C,

- in [local manufacturer’s] pumps Type HE-50-32, naphtha, temperature from -30°C to +40°C,

all without any product complaints;

2. MC101 and MC131 Mechanical packing, in furnace valves, hot pipeline valves, steam valves,

3. MG140 cut gaskets, in heat exchangers and economizers

4. Spiral wound gaskets with gauge rings, ANSI sizes from 3/4” to 30”, in pipeline, reactor, heat exchanger, pump flanges

- all materials working with light and heavy hydrocarbons, steam, condensate, hot water, with temperatures up to 380°C and pressure up to 40 bar) – without any product complaints.

All installed mechanical seals and sealing materials are in operation (except the materials that were changed during planned maintenance), fully conform to OST, RD, and PB [safety] standards, ensuring a high level of industrial, fire, and ecological safety.”

This reference from the Ufaneftechim Petrochemical Plant signed by Oil Refinery Senior Maintenance Engineer, comments on use of bellows assemblies made by TREM Engineering. These bellows assemblies were supplied as spare parts kits for imported mechanical seals installed in pumps series KRG1H at the crude and vacuum distillation unit. The process fluids sealed are fuel oil, tar, diesel fuel with temperatures up to 360C.

"Compared to imported products, bellows assemblies made by TREM Engineering are made of same materials, with same specifications, and show same high level of quality."

This reference from the Ufaneftechim Petrochemical Plant maintenance contractor signed by general manager, comments on use of TREM Engineering’s mechanical packing, gaskets, and mechanical seals since 1999:

“SD series metal bellows tandem mechanical seals are being used in [local manufacturer’s] pumps ... at the crude and vacuum distillation units, visbreaker, hydrocracking, catalytic cracking, hydrotreating units, and in imported KSB pumps at the visbreaker, which pump hot hydrocarbons (heavy fuel oil, bitumen, reduced crude oil, gas oil) with temperature up to +390C. At this moment we don't have bad comments about the products.

MC131 mechanical packing for valves is used extensively in furnace valves, hot pipeline valves, and steam valves. At this moment we don't have bad comments about the products.

MG140 cut gaskets, sheets and spiral wound gaskets are used extensively on furnace valve flanges, pipeline valve flanges, pump flanges, heat exchangers, economizers at the crude and vacuum distillation units, visbreaker, hydrocracking, catalytic cracking. At this moment we don't have bad comments about the products.

The installed mechanical seals and sealing materials are in operation, demonstrate high quality and fully conform to OST, RD, and PB [Russian safety] standards, adding to a higher level of industrial, fire, and ecological safety.”