The Challenge
By switching from gasket seals of PTFE to custom gaskets of DuPont™ Kalrez® perfluoroelastomer parts in the sensor head of a process instrument refractometer used by the food, pulp and paper and chemical industries, process instrument manufacturer K-Patents Oy, Vantaa, Finland, was able to dramatically extend instrument service life, increase reliability and safety, and reduce costs for the company and its customers.
The Solution
Aggressive environment
Through permanent in-line fluids immersion, K-Patents’ “PR-01-S” refractometer is exposed to temperatures from –20 ° to +220 °C, pressures from –0,7 to +25 bar, and some 500 process fluids and chemicals, many of which are extremely aggressive. Delicate digital detector circuits and fiber optics in the sensor head are sealed by two gaskets from attack by aggressive fluids. Because of inherent inelasticity, the original PTFE gaskets could not withstand the dynamic temperature fluctuations of many food, pulp and paper and chemical manufacturing processes, creating a leak path allowing process media to enter and damage the device. As a result, costly replacement of the PTFE seal became necessary approximately every 6–12 months.
Key Advantages
No leakage in 10 years with DuPont™ Kalrez®
Esko Kamrat, Design Engineer at K-Patents, decided to replace the PTFE seals with gaskets of Kalrez®. He reports that, due to its elasticity and outstanding chemical and heat resistance, the perfluoroelastomer is now achieving as much as 10 years service life without leakage. Frequency of costly repair of the “PR-01-S” refractometer has also been much reduced. Kalrez® perfluoroelastomer parts have provided superior performance in a wide variety of demanding sealing applications. Kalrez® resists more than 1800 chemicals and is thermally stable up to 327 °C.
Gallagher Fluid Seals in a longtime partner of DuPont™ Kalrez®. We stock thousands of sizes and materials to be sure we have what you need. If you have any questions about Kalrez® seals, don't hesitate to contact our engineering department.