XploR™ Deeper Waters

When downtime costs run into the millions and unplanned maintenance can cost even more, determining the correct solutions from the start is important. Improving seal longevity through innovative seal design and material formulations can greatly reduce planned maintenance intervals and failure rates, ensuring operation can run for longer."

The S-Seal has been a proven solution for a number of years, due to its simple one-piece design, extrusion resistance and easy installation. “The XploR™ S-Seal and XploR™ FS-Seal are based on the original S-Seal design, and offer the same benefits, but can better withstand the higher pressures and temperatures of deeper water extraction,” says David.

What sets these seals apart are new anti-extrusion features and specialized proprietary materials to extend the seal’s operating range beyond a standard S-Seals design. “Extensive testing and real-world installations have proven their resistance up to over 100 MPa and +200 °C,” says David.

Anti-extrusion is achieved through careful design of the elastomer seal body, tailoring its shape to achieve optimum stress distribution throughout the seal, using iterative Finite Element Analysis (FEA) cycles. This is then held by a corrosionresistant spring within the body, supporting the rubber elements, but allowing movement for easy installation.

“In some cases, with the S-Seal, we found wear on the mating surfaces related to the metallic garter spring due to small movements resulting from heat and pressure fluctuations,” continues David. “But by modifying the spring material and design to a composite, it retains the flexibility but is more forgiving on the hardware.”

The XploR™ materials offer Rapid Gas Decompression (RGD) and sour gas resistance, and meet important industry-specific standards and approvals, such as NORSOK, NACE, API and Total. Combine this with the design versatility of the new products, and the benefits are clear.

“We can really set ourselves apart from the competition with our custom capabilities,” says David. “By customizing the seal, we can also provide other benefits, such as weight and size  reduction. Trelleborg Sealing Solutions is set up to make thecustomization process quick and easy.”

As a global company with local presence, local engineers work with companies while a global manufacturing and logistics network ensures that parts get where they need to be, when they need to be there.