All ESA Divisions have been maintaining their work schedules.
Packings Division
The hydrogen testing project at DHBW Mannheim, aimed at assessing various graphite packing designs, commenced at the start of October. The initial test using a standard graphite ring set has been successfully completed. A meeting at the university is scheduled for early November to finalise the testing timetable and to provide the project students with training on packing technology.
A draft for a new training course focused on packing installations has been developed. This draft requires updates to include additional images, animations, and voiceover text.
The Division will also assist the FSA in their efforts to update the oxidation test standard for expanded graphite packing rings and gaskets.
Expansion Joints Division
The configurator tool designed for selecting various fabric expansion joint designs has been completed as an Excel program. Transitioning it to WordPress for hosting on the ESA website presents significant challenges. Currently, alternative software solutions are being assessed.
Work continues on the training module titled “Introduction to Fabric Expansion Joints”.
Mechanical Seals Division
The update process for API 682, involving several Division members, is almost complete, with the release of the 5th edition anticipated in early 2026.
The training presentation on single mechanical seals is making progress, and the additional voiceover text needs to be finalised. Efforts on the troubleshooting presentation are also ongoing.
The reliability document for mechanical seals is nearing completion, with plans to include more specific case studies. The update of the position paper concerning the Machinery Directive remains under discussion.
An article on 3D-printed components for mechanical seals is set to be published in World Pumps magazine. Additionally, an article about women in engineering has been published by Flow magazine and also appears on the ESA website in an interview format.
Flange Gaskets Division
The training module for gasket installation has been completed. The final module regarding flange gasket assembly analysis is set to be finished in November. Both modules are expected to be available in the training section of the ESA Knowledgebase by the year’s end.
Further discussions have taken place regarding the research project focused on gasket ageing in hydrogen atmosphere at Cetim. Some questionnaires designed to identify the test parameters have been submitted, and appropriate test materials and parameters will be established.
It has been decided to revise several outdated ESA/FSA documents. The FSA is currently updating the Flange Gaskets Handbook, while this Division will focus on refreshing the Glossary of Terms related to gaskets.
Elastomeric & Polymeric Seals Division
Cetim is engaged in the numerical simulation of the ageing process of elastomers. Utilising the test results from the previous Arrhenius test project, simulation programs in Python for compression set and compression stress relaxation will be developed. Additionally, work on the final report concerning the test project is ongoing.
FKM samples intended for a new ageing test in both air and hydrogen environments have been received at Cetim. Furthermore, FFKM samples will also be supplied for this initiative. A testing schedule has been created, with the initial ageing tests commencing in January 2026.
The development of the training module titled “Introduction to Elastomeric Seal Applications” is still in progress.
Ralf Vogel,
Technical Director, ESA