The ESA Divisions have been actively engaged throughout the year and are currently focused on the following projects:
Packings Division
The first hydrogen emission tests utilising standard graphite packing rings have been completed at DHBW Mannheim University. The subsequent tests will commence with a graphite packing set that incorporates metal cap end rings. A recent meeting at the university has established the test sequence for the different graphite packing designs. Testing will proceed until the middle of next year.
The Division has joined a packing working group established by the University of Münster in Germany. This group is examining the scientific advancements in packing technology over the past two decades. The objective is to develop numerical simulations for installation and service gland pressures, drawing on existing research and testing facilities.
A draft for a new training course centred on packing installations will be distributed to all members for feedback. Additional images, installation videos, and voiceover text will need to be produced
Expansion Joints Division
The Microsoft Excel configurator tool, which was created for selecting different fabric expansion joint designs, has now been successfully migrated to WordPress for hosting on the ESA website. The Division members will now test its functionality to confirm that it operates correctly.
The development of the training module named “Introduction to Fabric Expansion Joints” is currently in progress.
Mechanical Seals Division
Several members of the Division are still engaged in the update process for API 682, aiming for the final standard update to be published in early 2026.
The training presentation regarding single mechanical seals has undergone review. Although some voiceover text is still pending, it is expected to be completed before the year concludes. Following that, the voiceover recording will commence, with the finished training anticipated to be released early next year.
The reliability document pertaining to mechanical seals has been finalised and will soon be available on the Division webpage. The update of the position paper related to the Machinery Directive has been completed, and the document will be distributed to all Division members for their approval.
An article discussing 3D-printed components for mechanical seals has been published on the World Pumps website, and an interview featuring women in mechanical seal engineering can be found in the People section on the ESA website.
Flange Gaskets Division
This year, the Division has been actively engaged in developing gasket training modules. The training for gasket installation and the analysis module for flange gasket assembly have been completed. These will be incorporated into the training section of the ESA Knowledgebase by the end of the year. Consequently, five training courses from this Division will be available.
The proposed research project concerning gasket aging in a hydrogen atmosphere at Cetim is still under consideration. The requirements for testing and the necessary sample materials need to be established. Cetim is set to relocate to their new testing facility for hydrogen applications by the year’s end. It is hoped that testing can commence in the spring of 2026.
Efforts have begun to revise the outdated Glossary of Terms for gaskets from 1998. An updated version is anticipated for release next year.
Elastomeric & Polymeric Seals Division
Cetim is in the process of finalising the report on the previous Arrhenius aging project. Based on this, the numerical simulation of the aging process of elastomers using Python is currently further developed. An abstract for a paper intended for the ECCMR (European Conference on Constitutive Models for Rubber) Conference in Oxford next year has been prepared.
The aging test for FKM material in both air and hydrogen environments commenced in October. The tests in air are ongoing, and those in hydrogen will begin in the spring once Cetim has transitioned to their new dedicated hydrogen testing facility. The FFKM samples still require confirmation.
The training module titled “Introduction to Elastomeric Seal Applications” is still being developed.
All Divisions have been actively engaged in producing articles that have been published in trade magazines. This year, we published six articles in Valve World, along with several contributions to World Pumps and Flow magazine.
Ralf Vogel,
Technical Director, ESA