The Garlock Family of Companies has launched a new fully-coated isolation gasket known as EVOLUTION.
EVOLUTION® Isolation Gaskets
The next generation of isolation gaskets, EVOLUTION®, features easier installation, tight sealing, high-temperature operation, no permeation, hydrotesting isolation, fire-safety and chemical-resistance.
Featuring a thinner, 1/8-inch design, EVOLUTION minimizes the difficulties encountered when attempting to install thicker isolating gaskets. The full-coating encapsulation allows the gasket to be hydrotested and left in the pipeline with the same isolation properties as before it was tested.
EVOLUTION's coating is highly resistant to abrasion and impact while providing chemical resistance to hydrogen sulphide (H2S), steam, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and other chemicals often found in oil and gas pipelines. This fully encapsulated coating also prevents the need for expensive exotic cores, as it eliminates contact to exposed metal.
It also features the highest tightness parameters for any product available. With demands placed on the oil and gas industry to improve leakage rates, the increased levels of tightness achieved will exceed requirements and result in greater joint integrity.
An acceleration in H2S levels as operators drill deeper and more aggressively causes traditional GRE products to become vulnerable over time. Through extensive testing, EVOLUTION has demonstrated virtually no permeation or degradation, eliminating this costly problem.
The new gasket additionally provides the highest pressure rating of any isolating gasket available. Unlike GRE gaskets, which are prone to delamination, EVOLUTION has no laminations and as a result can better withstand high-pressure environments.
Rated to 500°F (260°C), the gasket can operate under high temperatures. Tested comprehensively for safety, the product has API 6FB, 3rd Edition Fire Test recognition.
"As its name implies, EVOLUTION is the next step in gasket technology and is poised to eliminate a number of issues that plagued gaskets in previous iterations," commented Tim Hurley, GPT senior global product manager. "EVOLUTION was designed to take the best available technology for pipeline isolation and incorporate all of these benefits into one comprehensive product."
Other features include: pressure energized seals, a fire safe Inconel 718 c-ring, built to match pipe bore, a short moment arm, moisture and humidity resistance, zero creep relaxation and a 316LSS core.
The original article was written by Garlock Pipeline Technologies and can be found on their website here.
For more information about Garlock gaskets for the oil and pipeline industry, contact Gallagher Fluid Seals.