In nitrogen processing facilities, equipment integrity and leak prevention are critical, not just for efficiency, but for personnel safety. Although nitrogen is non-toxic, it is an asphyxiant that displaces oxygen, making even small leaks dangerous in enclosed spaces.
One nitrogen facility experienced recurring issues with corrosion and pitting on the raised face of thermowell flanges, which threatened safety and reliability.
The Challenge:
- The facility’s initial use of spiral wound gaskets for the application left a small, unsealed gap near the flange bore.
- Over time, nitrogen media accumulated in the gaps, leading to pitting and corrosion between the flange bore and the gasket’s inside diameter.
- These failures raised concerns about the long-term compatibility of standard gasket types in nitrogen service.
The Solution: A Custom Dual-Sealing System
TEADIT®’s engineering team performed a root-cause analysis and developed a custom-engineered sealing approach:
1. Double-Rail kammprofile Gasket
- Manufactured from 321 stainless steel, featuring two concentric, serrated sealing rings.
- Sealed directly at the flange bore, eliminating the gap that previously allowed corrosion.
- Delivered external sealing and protection from internal media stagnation.
2. TEADIT® 2202 Packing Around Thermowell Shaft
- Installed around the thermowell’s conical shaft, this high-performance mechanical packing provided additional sealing where media exposure was still a risk.
- Made from flexible graphite, reinforced at the corners with high-strength carbon fibers, delivering:
- High compressibility for effective radial sealing
- Superior extrusion resistance under pressure
The Results:
- Corrosion was virtually eliminated during follow-up inspections
- Extended maintenance intervals—no more frequent flange replacements
- Reduced downtime & cost—no cutting or re-welding of flanges required
- Improved long-term safety and reliability
Why It Matters:
In complex, high-risk environments like nitrogen processing, standard gaskets are not enough. Custom-engineered solutions, like TEADIT®’s dual-sealing system, dramatically improve process safety, extend equipment life, and reduce total maintenance costs.
For a more detailed look at how this sealing issue was solved, read the full article!
Contact TEADIT® today to learn more about the best available sealing solutions for
your application!
