Sealing Sense Articles
Courtesy of Pumps & Systems Magazine
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Mechanical Seals:
April 2021 – Seal Face Materials for Abrasive Services
December 2020 – Best Practices for Sealing High Pressure Boiler Circulating Pumps
August 2020 – Hot Pumps & Thermal Expansion
April 2020 – Carbon/Graphite for Dry Running Mechanical Seal Faces
December 2019 – Updates to FSA’s KnowledgeBase
June 2019 – Sealing High-Speed Shafts in Turbomachinery
March 2019 – Methods for Pressurized Seal Systems
January 2019 – Unusual Mechanical Seal Applications
November 2018 – Using IoT to Improve Mechanical Seal Reliability
October 2018 – A Guide to Elastomer Technology in Mechanical Seals
June 2018 – Sealing in Extreme Cold
January 2018 – Determine the Best Piping Plan for Supporting Mechanical Seals in Vertical Pumps
November 2017 – Controlling the Seal Chamber Environment
September 2017 – How Carbon Works in Mechanical Sealing
July 2017 – Overview of Multiple Lip Seals.
May 2017 – FSA Introduces the KnowledgeBase Technical Reference
September 2016 – Back to Basics: Mechanical Seals
June 2016 – Analyzing Life-Cycle Costs to Select the Best Sealing Solution
December 2015 – Material Advances Improve Seal Reliability in Extreme Application Conditions
September 2015 – Know Which Mechanical Sealing Options Meet Emissions Requirements
January 2015 – Dry Containment Seals Boost Reliability
September 2014 – The Advantages of API Piping Plan 03
June 2014 – New Piping Plans for Better Leak Detection
March 2014 – Dual Gas-Lubricated Seals Provide Solutions – What are the advantages of these seals?
January 2014 – Extending mechanical seal life – how can their reliability be improved?
October 2013 – What are the differences between using water or oil as a buffer or barrier fluid?
August 2013 – What are the energy and water usage impacts of these systems?
February 2013 – What are the best practices for ensuring the reliability of API Piping Plan 53B?
January 2013 – How does seal face topography affect mechanical seal performance?
October 2012 – What is the sealing technology of choice for water and wastewater treatment?
June 2012 – How do variable speed drives impact mechanical seals?
April 2012 – Why are mechanical seals still the preferred choice in the process industries?
October 2011 – What are the challenges with sealing water applications?
July 2011 – How can I select mechanical sealing systems using life cycle costs?
February 2011 – How do I determine the financial payback on capital investments to an enhanced sealing systems’ mean time before repair and energy efficiency?
November 2010 – What is the Impact of Reliability on the Sealing Systems Energy Footprint from Pump Shut Down, Repairs, and Re-commissioning? (Part 4 of 4)
October 2010 – What is the Sealing Systems Entergy Footprint for Removing Diluents from the Process Stream? (Part 3 of 4)
September 2010 – What is the Sealing Systems Energy Footprint for Controlling Process or Barrier Fluid Temperature? (Part 2 of 4)
August 2010 – What is the Energy Footprint of Sealing Systems? (Part 1 of 4)
May 2010 – Which piping plan should I choose: API 53A, 53B or 53C?
December 2009 – What are the basics of gas lubricated seals? (Part Two)
November 2009 – What are the basics of gas lubricated seals? (Part One)
April 2009 – How can the capabilities of primary seal materials be improved?
March 2009 – How do plant pipe strain problems affect my pumping systems?
January 2009 – How can I extend the performance range of standard cartridge mechanical seals?
December 2008 – The P3-A Equipment Standards
November 2008 – Who should recondition my seals?
August 2008 – Where mechanical seals meet pumps: What is the next generation?
May 2008 – What determines seal leakage?
March 2008 – What is the most effective seal design when misalignment is present?
December 2007 – What are the methods for successfully sealing slurries? /span>
October 2007 – How can I reduce consumption of seal water going to my packing and mechanical seals?
September 2007 – What are the considerations in applying mechanical seals to abrasive slurry applications?
June 2007 – What should I look for when choosing a high-performance elastomer for a specific application?
April 2007 – How long will a mechanical seal last? Part 2
March 2007 – How long will a mechanical seal last? Part 1
February 2007 – When and where do I apply lip seal technology in my process?
January 2007 – What procedures should I use when storing my mechanical seals?
August 2006 – When and how do I use API Flush Plan 54?
January 2006 – What is the best silicon carbide wear face material for my mechanical seal?
December 2005 – What is the best wear face material for my mechanical seal?
September 2005 – Is failure analysis the best approach to trouble shooting seal failures?
July 2005 – Can I seal vertical shafts with standard mechanical seals?
June 2005 – When and how do I use API Flush Plan 53?
January 2005 – What tools are available for applying the total life cycle costing to selection of mechanical seal systems?
December 2004 – What are the principal symptoms, causes and corrective actions for failure of mechanical seals by thermal attack?
November 2004 – What are the principal symptoms, causes and corrective actions for failure of mechanical seals induced by mechanical breakdown?
October 2004 – What are the symptoms, causes and corrective actions for failure of mechanical seals induced by chemical attack?
September 2004 – How do you determine the primary cause(s) of mechanical seal failure?
Pump & Valve Packings:
February 2021 – 4 Steps to Correctly Inserting Packing Rings
October 2020 – The Critical Role of the Humble Lantern Ring
June 2020 – Compression Packing Installation
February 2020 – Current Standards for Fire Testing of Flange Gaskets & Stem Packing
November 2019 – The Danger of Complacency in Equipment Selection & Installation
October 2019 – How to Prevent Galvanic Corrosion of Valve Stems
August 2019 – What to Understand About Chemistry to Make the Best Materials Choices
May 2019 – API 622: Valve Packing for Fugitive Emissions
February 2019 – FSA Releases Latest “Compression Packing Technical Manual
September 2018 – How to Investigate Compression Packing Failure Modes
March 2018 – Compression Packing: A Look Beyond the Standard Stuffing Box
February 2018 – Test Methods to Qualify Quarter-Turn Valves for Low Emissions Service
October 2017 – Valve Packing Friction: the Hidden Factor for Better Plant Performance
August 2017 – Compensating for Oxygen Concentration
April 2017 – Factors for Successful Emissions-Compliant Valve Stem Seals
October 2016 – Back to Basics: Compression Packing
August 2016 – Birth of the General-Purpose, High-Performance ePTFE/Graphite Packing Fiber
March 2016 – The Curse of Knowledge & Valve Packing
January 2016 – Valve Stem Packing Compression & Installation
October 2015 – Emissions Valve Packing Technology Evolves to Reduce Methane Leaks
August 2015 – Energy Efficiency of Compression Packings in Rotodynamic Pump Applications
May 2015 – How to Avoid Compression Packing Failure
March 2015 – Updates to Industry Standards Offer New Options for Fugitive Emissions Testing
July 2014 – Preformed Packing Rings Outperform Field-Cut Parts
February 2014 – How does a Cross Functional Team enhance pump and valve seal performance?
November 2013 – What are pressure seals, and how do they work?
September 2013 – How do I get maximum performance from my packing?
May 2013 – How can packing solve my difficult sealing problem?
April 2013 – How can injectable sealants solve my sealing problems?
December 2012 – What are the important considerations for the proper torque of a valve packing gland?
August 2012 – How can I compare the performance of pump packing?
May 2012 – What are the current emission standards for valve packing?
November 2011 – What are the key steps to cutting packing for optimum performance?
September 2011 – How does thermal expansion influence the application of PTFE packing?
August 2011 – How do I prevent galvanic corrosion in my packing gland?
April 2011 – How can compression packing be applied in severe service?
April 2010 – What are the most energy efficient pump packing environmental control systems?
February 2010 – How can packing solve my sealing problem?
August 2009 – What are the fine points of pump packing installation and adjustment?
July 2009 – Is there a new way to monitor fugitive emissions?
June 2009 – What is new in braided packing technology?
March 2009 – How do plant pipe strain problems affect my pumping systems?
February 2009 – What is the impact of packing friction on equipment performance?
October 2008 – Are you playing offense or defense with your Lead Detection and Repair?
September 2008 – What are bolt torque considerations for valve packing that ensure reliable performance?
July 2008 – What are the benefits and pitfalls of ePTFE/Graphite packing?
November 2007 – How do I troubleshoot compression packing?
August 2007 – What are the benefits and pitfalls of graphite packing? Page 2
July 2007 – What are the benefits and pitfalls of graphite packing? Part 1
May 2007 – When should I use braided PTFE packing, and in what form?
October 2006 – How do I evaluate and control my fluid sealing costs?
July 2006 – Are you overlooking packing as a sealing solution?
April 2006 – How important is chemical resistance for selection of a pump packing?
March 2006 – What are the best pump packing installation tecniques?
April 2005 – What are packings and how do they work?
Gaskets:
March 2021 – Gasket Characteristics at Subambient Temperatures
November 2020 – Bolting Considerations for Bolted Flange Joints, Part 2
July 2020 – Bolting Considerations for Bolted Flange Joints, Part 1
March 2020 – ASTM International Committee Releases Latest Room Temperature Tightness Test
September 2019 – The Bolt as Machine & the Importance of Liberal Lubrication
August 2018 – The Importance of Using Thread Lubricants in Bolted Connections
July 2018 – Sealing for Extreme Cold: Best Practice for Static Seals
April 2018 – Troubleshooting Gasket Failure
December 2017 – Storage & Shelf Life Prediction for Flange Gasket Materials
June 2017 – Gasket Installation Best Practices
March 2017 – Improper Gasketed Joints Can Be Deadly
December 2016 – Back to Basics: Semi-Metallic Gaskets
November 2016 – Back to Basics: Soft Gaskets
July 2016 – The Dangers of Hot Bolting
May 2016 – The Necessity of Bolted Flange Connection Training
February 2016 – What to Consider When Upgrading or Changing Pre-Specified Gaskets
June 2015 – New FSA/ESA Gasket Handbook Offers Guidance for Equipment Usage & Troubleshooting
December 2014 – Consult the Manufacturer for Gasket Torque Values as Starting Place to Diminish Leaks
October 2014 – Why Flexible Graphite’s Consistent Quality is Ideal for Seals, Packings & Gaskets
May 2014 – Prevent Gasket Blowout – What’s Most Important? (part 2)
April 2014 – Prevent Gasket Blowout – What’s Most Important? (part 1)
December 2013 – Do I really need to use a torque wrench?
July 2013 – What should I do about flange face damage: accept, repair or replace?
June 2013 – How does lubrication affect fastener torque and resultant tension?
March 2013 – What are grooved metal gaskets, and where are they applied?
November 2012 – Will storing my CNA gasket and sheet for too long degrade performance?
July 2012 – What are the current industry best practices for the assembly of bolted flange connections?
February 2012 – Why don’t my PTFE gaskets seal FRP, plastic and other light load flanges?
January 2012 – Why do I need to complete an application questionnaire?
December 2011 – What factors should be considered for stainless steel fasteners in bolted flanged connections?
June 2011 – How can installation procedures improve gasket life?
March 2011 – How is gasket stress defined in industry?
January 2011 – How do I choose a gasket for an FDA application?
July 2010 – What fasteners should I use for my bolted flange connection?
June 2010 – What gasket properties are most important, and how do I use them?
January 2010 – How do I prevent gasket blow out?
October 2009 – What are m and y gasket design constants, and how are they used?
May 2009 – How should I store my gaskets?
June 2008 – How do I determine bolt torque for flanged connections?
April 2008 – What is the impact of Flange Finish on Gasket Performance?
January 2008 – Was it really the gasket?
November 2006 – How do I choose the right gasket for pumps in chemical service?
June 2006 – What factors should be considered when installing a spiral wound gasket?
May 2006 – How can I troubleshoot bolted flange connection leaks?
November 2005 – How do you choose between all the various types of gasket materials?
October 2005 – What gasket thickness should I use in my pump system?
March 2005 – How can spiral wound gasket selection and installation problems be avoided?
February 2005 – How do you select and install the right gasket?
Expansion Joints:
Ducting:
August 2005 – How do non-metallic (Fabric) and metallic expansion joints compare in flue duct applications?
Piping:
January 2021 – Hydrostatic Testing for Rubber Expansion Joints
September 2020 – What to Know to Select the Style of Rubber Expansion Joints You Need
May 2020 – Assessing Alternative Pump Piping Solutions
January 2020 – How Not to use a Rubber Expansion Joint
July 2019 – Custom Rubber Expansion Joints
April 2019 – Temperature & Pressure Considerations for Nonmetallic Piping Expansion Joints
December 2018 – A User’s Guide to Expansion Joint Control Units
May 2018 – Isolation of Noise & Vibration in HVAC & Plumbing Piping Systems
February 2017 – FSA Publishes 8th Edition of the Piping Expansion Joints Handbook
January 2017 – Back to Basics: Expansion Joints
April 2016 – Manage Rubber Expansion Joints in Piping Systems to Maximize Reliability & Efficiency
November 2015 – Insulating Over Rubber Expansion Joints: A Good or Bad Idea?
July 2015 – What You Need to Know about FSA’s 5 New Styles of Rubber Expansion Joints
April 2015 – Rubber Expansion Joints Provide Piping Flexibility
November 2014 – Install Smarter to Extend Expansion Joint Life
August 2014 – Expansion Joint Selection Optimizes Piping Systems
March 2012 – What should be considered for the selection of expansion joints for pumps?
May 2011 – What are the most important considerations before and after ordering a nonmetallic expansion joint?
December 2010 – If stress analysis can ensure that piping loads are within ASME limits, why are rubber expansion joints needed?
March 2010 – What are the basics of applying expansion joints?
September 2009 – How do expansion joints improve performance of mechanical seals?
February 2008 – How to troubleshoot expansion joint failures.
December 2006 – How can I apply expansion joints to plastic and fiberglass reinforced piping?
September 2006 – Would a Rubber or Metal Expansion Joint better suit my application?
February 2006 – How can an expansion joint prevent system leaks?
May 2005 – How important are flange design and pipe alignment for optimum installation and performance of rubber expansion joints?
