As the sealing industry continues to evolve , Braule sees collaboration as key to driving innovation . “ No single company has all the answers ,” he admits . “ It ’ s crucial that seal manufacturers , valve producers , end users and research institutions work together to address the challenges we face .” π www . valve-world . net Valve World December 2024 17
Sustainability
DuPont has placed sustainability at the core of its business strategy and innovation pipeline . As stated by former CEO Ed Breen , “ At DuPont , sustainability is integral to our strategy , embedded in every aspect of our business .” The company ’ s approach is built on three pillars : Innovate , Protect , and Empower . A key sustainability goal for DuPont is “ Delivering solutions for global challenges ” through product innovation . More than 80 % of DuPont ’ s innovation portfolio is expected to deliver sustainability value for customers or advance solutions to global challenges . This includes a new enterprise-wide initiative focused on developing products for the emerging hydrogen value chain , including green and blue hydrogen technologies . DuPont has observed increasing customer demand for product carbon footprint data and carbon reduction strategies , with over 60 % of their strategic customers having set climate targets . As Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer Alexa Dembek notes , “ The number one way that we can lead sustainably is through innovation that addresses global challenges .”
close contact with both valve manufacturers and end users to understand their needs and goals . This approach creates an environment where all parties can learn from each other .” This collaborative approach is crucial , especially given the current lack of widely accepted industry standards for selecting seals in H2 and CO2 applications . Braule notes that DuPont is working on compliance with new standards , such as API 6D Annex M for hydrogen service in pipelines and pipe valves .
Sealing technology in clean energy transition
The transition to clean energy sources presents both challenges and opportunities for sealing technology . Braule explains that as industries move towards more sustainable practices , the demands on sealing materials are evolving . “ In the context of hydrogen applications , we ’ re dealing with a gas that has a very small molecular size ,” Braule elaborates . “ This means that traditional sealing materials may not be sufficient to prevent leakage . Our work with Kalrez ® parts focuses on developing materials that can effectively contain hydrogen under various pressure and temperature conditions .” For carbon dioxide applications , particularly in carbon capture , utilisation and storage ( CCS ) technologies , the challenges are different . “ CO2 can cause significant swelling in many elastomers , which can lead to seal failure ,” Braule says . “ Additionally , in CCS applications , we often deal with rapid gas decompression scenarios , which can cause severe damage to seals if they ’ re not properly designed .” These challenges highlight the need for continued innovation in sealing technology . Braule believes that advancements in this field will play a crucial role in enabling the widespread adoption of clean energy technologies .
Future trends in sealing technology
Looking ahead , Braule anticipates several trends that will shape the future of sealing technology : 1 . Increased focus on sustainability : “ We expect to see growing demand for sealing materials that are not only high-performing but also environmentally friendly ,” Braule predicts . “ This includes considerations of
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the material ’ s lifecycle , from production to disposal .” 2 . Material science advancements : “ Ongoing research in polymer science may lead to new materials with even better performance characteristics ,” Braule says . “ We ’ re particularly interested in materials that can withstand extreme temperatures and pressures while maintaining their sealing properties .” 3 . Customisation and specialisation : “ As industrial processes become more complex , we anticipate a growing need for highly specialised sealing solutions tailored to specific applications ,” Braule notes .
The economic impact of advanced sealing solutions
While the technical aspects of sealing technology are crucial , Braule also emphasises the economic benefits of advanced sealing solutions . “ When we consider the total cost of ownership , investing in high-quality seals , in the shape of O-rings , T-Seals or customer parts , often results in significant long-term savings ,” he explains . This is particularly true in critical applications where seal failure can lead to costly downtime or safety issues . “ In applications where unplanned maintenance or seal failure can result in significant economic losses or damage to a company ’ s reputation , the initial cost of the sealing element becomes a secondary consideration ,” Braule states . He illustrates this point with an example from the Oil & Gas industry : “ Offshore operations face significant financial risks from unplanned downtime . By using high-performance seals that can extend maintenance intervals from 6 to 24 months , companies can achieve substantial cost savings and operational benefits .” Industries face increasing pressure to reduce emissions , and high-performance seals can play a role in meeting regulatory requirements . “ Fugitive emissions from valves and other equipment are a significant concern in many industries ,” Braule notes . “ Advanced sealing solutions can help companies comply with stringent environmental regulations while also improving their operational efficiency .”
William Braule , DuPont Kalrez ® application engineer
Collaboration and innovation
As the sealing industry continues to evolve , Braule sees collaboration as key to driving innovation . “ No single company has all the answers ,” he admits . “ It ’ s crucial that seal manufacturers , valve producers , end users and research institutions work together to address the challenges we face .” π www . valve-world . net Valve World December 2024 17