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Press Releases & Editorials

CARCOSEAL IN HYDROPOWER

FTL Technology is currently looking at several Hydro-electric Power Plant sealing applications

Carcoseal rotary shaft seals (type AP/WT suitable for pressure) were fitted at the beginning 2008 on the shafts of 4 Kaplan water turbines, previously installed in a power station in Verona (Italy).

The application is critical since the generator is below water level. To make sure that no water gets into the generator, air pressure at 0,8 bar is kept in the generator chamber by a compressor.
The seals have to keep water out of the generator and air leakage needs to be as low as possible; in normal running, The compressor provides air to the generator chamber every 45 minutes.

Intervention was requested by the turbine OEM, as their customer was very unsatisfied after 2 years of poor performance with the original seals: the compressor was inflating air into the generator almost continuously and the risk of water getting into the generator was high; from 2006 to beginning 2008 the original seals had been replaced with the same brand several times with high maintenance costs and frequent turbine shutdown.

In February 2008 the seal kit made of 4 Carcoseals with spacers for grease lubrication was fitted on the turbine shafts (diameter 240mm, 300 rpm); 2 Carcoseal kits were fitted in endless form in 2 turbines and 2 kits in split version in the other 2 turbines; the split seals were fitted with the “ISP jointing on site” system.
Seals were supplied in HNBR for improved friction performance, all seals are performing well and compressor is running at a minimum.

Further Information
For advice in a wide range of applications involving Duo-Cone seals, contact: tonys@ftltech.co.uk or on Tel No. 0113 220 3403