Third Quarter 2014

                    

In This Issue   

 

Government Affairs Update 

                 

Additional Resources  
   

Sealing Systems Matter

Life Cycle Cost Calculator

Gasket Questionnaire

Sealing Sense Archives

Technical Publications

Become a Member 

 

Fluid Sealing Association
994 Old Eagle School Rd.
Suite 1019
Wayne, PA 19087-1866
 
610-971-4850
Gaff
FSA Government Affairs Update

The "Environmental Goods" agreement is a project sponsored by the World Trade Organization to eliminate trade barriers and export tariffs for goods that are beneficial to the environment. The unimpeded international trade of such goods would lead to their greater use, and therefore to a cleaner environment. The United States Trade Representative solicited comments on what should be included on the list of such goods.  We argued in a written response that sealing products, which are used to seal all types of equipment used in the production industrial products and thus contain harmful emissions, would fall under that category.  Testimony was also given in front of panel of government officials from the U.S. Trade Representative's office, Environment Protection Agency, and the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, and Homeland Security.  A video of the testimony can be viewed here.  Coordination with the ESA was also done, helping them prepare a response to the European Authorities.

 

The other major initiative concerns the Administration "Climate Action Plan" to reduce Methane Emissions in the Oil and Gas Industry.  The EPA prepared several white papers on how to reduce emissions and soliciting input from the public.  Two were of particular interest to the FSA members, one on compressors, and a more general one on Leaks.  We provided a written response for the questions posed in the paper on leaks with cooperation for the technical committee of the Mechanical Seal, Gasket, and Compression Packing Divisions.  Our major argument was simply repairing leaks is no longer sufficient.  New technology with low emission capabilities is now available, and upgrading the equipment should be part of an emission reduction plan, not just the maintenance of the equipment with 20 year old technology.  This was reinforced with a visit to the EPA Research Offices in Raleigh NC.  It is planned to continue the dialogue, as the EPA is formulating new regulations for the gas and oil industry which is growing in North America.


expjtAligned and Well: Improving Plant Reliability, Efficiency with Rubber Expansion Joints
Elastomeric expansion joints have long been recognized for their ability to reduce noise and vibration and accept fluctuating thermal movements in piping systems. Recent advancements in engineered elastomers and textiles led to the development of expansion joints with improved performance and operating life. Equally valuable is their unique ability to be installed in offset and misaligned applications. These cost saving features have made the expansion joint a pivotal component in replacement and retrofit projects, as well as in new construction.

Click here to read more.
PipingNew Piping Plans for Better Leak Detection
 

Piping plans for mechanical seals are used to improve the environmental conditions around a seal, extend its capabilities and allow operators to monitor seal performance. American Petroleum Institute (API) 682 contains the most widely referenced specifications for mechanical seal piping plans. This standard includes existing piping plans used in the field and introduces new piping plans that follow advancements in technology and respond to improvements required by the industry.

 

Click here to read more.  

FieldCut
Preformed Packing Rings Outperform Field-Cut Parts

One of the oldest sealing devices, compression packing is still very common in modern industries such as oil and gas, petrochemical, agriculture, pulp and paper, power generation, and mining. Compression packing is made from a range of soft and pliable fibrous yarn materials - from vegetable and animal fiber to many high-performance synthetic fibers. Most compression packing is formed by braiding fibrous materials such as carbon, PTFE, graphite, aramid and acrylic yarns. Each braid structure - round, square or braid over braid - is unique and intended for specific performance.

Click here to read more.   

FACE
Manage & Understand Flange Face Damage

The purpose of surface finish is to allow a gasket to conform to and seal the flange face. Ensuring that the choice of gasket and surface finish work together to maintain the appropriate level of sealing stress on the gasket is important.  Click here to read an article that identifies some of the typical damage that occurs to a flange face, what the effect is, and discusses a way to identify the practical limits for them.

Click here to read more.  

Greenhouse
Greenhouse Gas from Power Plants Declines
   
The U.S. EPA has released its third year of greenhouse gas (GHS) data detailing carbon emissions and trends from large facilities broken down by industrial sector, GHS, geographic region, and individual facility. The data, required to be collected annually by Congress, highlight a decrease in these emissions as more utilities switch to cleaner burning natural gas.

EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program collects annual information from over 8,000 facilities in the largest emitting industries, including power plants, oil and gas production and refining, iron and steel mills, and landfills. In addition, the program is receiving data on the increasing production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), predominantly used in refrigeration and air-conditioning. This Program is the only one that collects facility-level GHG data from major industrial sources across the US.

 

Click  here to read more.   

NIST
NIST-MEP Launches Supply Chain Optimization Program
      

After an initial pilot project held in five states, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) has launched a new supply chain optimization program. The program is designed to help U.S. manufacturers become more competitive. Manufacturers of any size can join, which seeks to increase competitive advantage through stronger, more collaborative supply chains.  

 

The program establishes a coaching and mentoring partnership between MEP's subject matter experts and participating manufacturers to address barriers to effective supply chains. NIST-MEP surveyed manufacturers and found that companies suffer from a lack of collaboration and visibility in their supply chains and lack a synchronized plan for those elements. The survey also showed that many do not understand the true total cost of ownership-the costs for every activity along the supply stream.

 

Click here to read more.
DOE
Funding Approved by DOE for Clean Coal Project

 

The Department of Energy (DOE) has approved financing for FutureGen 2.0, clearing a key administrative step for the "clean" coal project based on capture of CO2 emissions. DOE announced plans to fund the $1.68 billion initiative, which plans to capture at least 90% of the CO2 from a 168-megawatt operating coal fired electric power generator near Meredosia, Ill.

 

Click here to read more.  
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