Fluiten, the Italian sealing solution company, Fluiten, is supplying mechanical seals with auxiliary system for an important gas processing plant in Egypt. Before the tran sport, the gas must be purified using a very critical process.

To assure no dangerous leakages, in the most heavy duty applications has been chosen by Fluiten Techniacal Department the BM6T/D type seal as sealing solution with an API Plan 53B auxiliary system (which monitors operating parameters, ensures correct lubrication and guarantees safety). To address the considerable risks of injury, pollution and damage to equipment, the seal arrangement is double with a lubricating barrier liquid. This guarantees zero emissions into the atmosphere, in accordance with the API norms. The seal details are as follows:

• Double cartridge, reverse pressure to tolerate possible pressure inversions
• Multiple springs for optimum spring load distribution and double rotation
• Solid stationary and rotating rings
• Unique and tested rotating ring drive system to assure maximum efficiency even when there are vibrations and misalignments
• Shaft flange and sleeve designed to customer’s specifications

The supergiant Zohr gas field, situated 120 miles off the Egyptian coast, was discovered by the Italian energy company ENI in 2015 and is the largest in the Mediterranean. The gas extracted is processed in onshore plants.
Downstream gas processing plants are essential to purify the extracted product before it is liquefied for transportation. Failure to do so can be catastrophic in terms of injury to personnel, pollution and damage to equipment. The impurities of the gas flow, whose concentration varies from one well to another, are removed either in a single step or with a multistep process.

The main components to be removed are:

• Hydrogen sulphide
• Carbon dioxide
• Sulphur dioxide
• Nitrogen oxides
• Nitrogen compounds
• Halogenated Compounds
• Carbon Monoxide
• Impure compounds of different chemical composition

After this treatment the gas can be liquefied by compression for transportation.

The chemical reactions used to concentrate and remove these impurities are generated by substances and catalysts which in turn can compromise the chemical resistance of the materials used in the mechanical seals. Therefore the choice of seal construction materials is critical to avoid corrosion and wear. As there is a risk of toxic emissions, meticulous design is essential to ensure maximum environmental safety and protection of personnel.

With a presence in the market for 55 years, Fluiten is able to respond to the most demanding requirements of the Oil & Gas sector.