Rising to the Challenge in Oil & Gas

Sealing solutions such as O-rings may be amongst the most overlooked components in industrial equipment, yet they are essential to performance and reliability. When a US manufacturer of oilfield injection pumps struggled with rapid seal degradation under extreme operating conditions, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) was called upon to help identify a more reliable solution. A sealing failure can bring production to a complete stop, making material selection a critical factor in equipment performance and uptime.

O-rings are widely used in valves, pumps, pipelines and drilling rigs to contain fluids and gases. During operation, they may be exposed to high pressures, extreme temperatures, aggressive chemicals and abrasive media. Outdoor environments can add further stress, including moisture, sunlight, ozone, dirt and fluctuating temperatures. These conditions can accelerate degradation, reduce elasticity and ultimately lead to seal failure.

The US manufacturer encountered exactly these challenges in injection pumps used for oilfield drilling operations. The pumps operated continuously at temperatures of up to +260°C, while the O-rings were exposed to chemicals, petroleum and water-based coolants. The seals degraded rapidly and required frequent replacement, causing costly downtime and raising environmental and safety concerns.

The manufacturer had attempted to improve performance by using different O-ring materials throughout the system. However, managing multiple compounds created additional complexity, increasing the effort required for purchasing, inventory management and installation.

Recognizing that selecting the right sealing material exceeded its in-house expertise, the company contacted a Freudenberg Sealing Technologies distribution partner. Together with FST specialists, the goal was to find a material capable of withstanding the demanding operating conditions while reducing the number of compounds used throughout the pumps.

The team identified Simriz® 498 as the ideal solution. This FFKM compound is designed for thermal stability at temperatures up to +320°C and provides reliable long-term performance across a broad range of temperatures and chemical environments.

After replacing the existing O-rings with Simriz® 498 throughout the injection pumps, the manufacturer achieved a significant improvement in reliability and operational performance. The pumps could run continuously without concerns about premature seal failure. At the same time, standardising on a single material simplified logistics and inventory management, eliminating the complexity associated with multiple compounds. As a result, the customer improved both operational efficiency and maintenance processes. The verdict was clear: “Simriz® 498 solved all my problems!”

For more information visit fst.com

Email: donna.thompson-gough@fst.com
Tel.    +44 1332524415
Tel.    +44 7851121882

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