Flare Tip Leakage is too hot to handle for the competition

20 150 Kammprofile Removed From Flare Tip — Competitors 20" 150 high temp Kammprofile removed from flange

Delta V In 20 150 Flare Tip — Delta V Seal installed in 20" 150lb Flare line

A North Sea Operator came to Alba with a problem. Their platform had been experiencing leakage on their Flare line for many years. This was due to the dynamic operating conditions caused by a phenomenon called internal burning, which occurs when the internal flare line stabilises inside the flare tip, at temperatures around 400c, and cant be driven out without a substantial increase in flaring rates. During blowdown the tip is quenched down to -50c and this rapid change in temperature provides a huge challenge for the gasket to seal.

The picture below illustrates our competitors high temp Kammprofile gasket that had been taken out of the flange, which clearly was not the correct solution long term.

Alba Gaskets were asked if we had any alternatives that could be offered to cope with the dynamic operating conditions and we were only too pleased to look at this challenging application. The product that we offered was the Delta V Seal, which is is a revolutionary new design offering clients an all in one metal to metal seal which can be used in raised faced and flat faced flanges. The Delta V Seal™ is machined with a triple seal configuration of pitched metal teeth which conform into the flange face and provides an extremely tight and reliable metal to metal seal even at very high temperatures. As the gasket is all metal (manufactured to the material of the flange), then the gasket contracts and expands with the flange material during thermal fluctuations and provides a tighter seal than other gaskets. The Operator purchased 20" 150lb Delta V Seal gaskets and installed them in July 2018.

Contact technical@albagaskets.co.uk to find out how we can help with your problematic applications.