Leakage problem solved with STS

With David Mylet

How did AESSEAL^® first become aware of the problem?

We learned about the problem on a visit to the site. The customer explained that the steam leakage was causing a lot of damage to the steam turbine housing. They said that they were having trouble sourcing the OEM parts they needed in order to rectify the problem. The fact that the seal has to be specifically designed for each type of steam turbine was resulting in unacceptably long lead times. We were able to convince them that we could offer a much faster response, supplying our STS^™ mechanical seal within the matter of a few weeks.

What was the relationship with the customer before this?

Up to that point they had only bought a small number of LabTecta^® products. They had used a competitor’s seals in the upgrade of another steam turbine, but again, they found that lead times were a problem. When they heard that we were able to offer a much quicker response time, they agreed to try our STS^™ seal.

What feedback has the customer provided since the installation?

They’re very pleased with the result. Our seal has turned out to be exactly what they were looking for. In fact they say that the complete absence of any leakage of steam makes it hard to see if the turbine is actually running. As well as the performance of the seal, the critical factor for them was that we were able to guarantee such a rapid delivery time. It meant they could eliminate the leakage problem much more quickly, which would save money and provide a safer working environment. The result is that we are currently discussing further collaboration, with the chance that they will look to AESSEAL^® to supply some additional products.

Why in your view did AESSEAL win the contract?

It was a combination of factors. Certainly speed of response was very important, but we were also able to be competitive on price, and show them that they would see a return on their investment in less than a year. And as always, we pride ourselves on the level of our after-sales service, checking back regularly to make sure that the product is working as it should.

Beyond the financial savings mentioned, has the customer reported any operational benefits?

Yes. Apart from the fact that there are no longer any visible steam leaks, the bearing oil temperature is significantly lower because the seal is producing far less heat than the traditional carbon bushes. The installation of the STS^™ seal and our LabTecta^®ST bearing protectors means that they now have a much more reliable product, so they are saving a lot of money on repairs and maintenance. In fact, we estimate that the STS^™ seal could prevent the leakage of as much as 2,200,000 lbs of steam over the next six years, saving the company around £65,000 in the process.