Where Are the Fluid Sealing and Pump Industries Heading?

That was the big question for Garlock Sealing Technologies President Paul Baldetti. Pumps & Systems magazine asked for Paul’s executive insights on critical issues facing our industry, current trends, technologies offering the most competitive impact, and more. Here’s an excerpt from the article:

One significant trend is the move toward greater environmental consciousness. Regulations have tightened, but regulations alone are not driving this mindset. Corporations are justifiably concerned with reducing fugitive emissions, conserving water and reducing energy consumption whether or not regulations demand it. Even more telling, the movement to adopt "greener" products is increasingly being led by environmentally progressive companies rather than government regulation.

To see more of Paul’s industry insights, read the whole article here.

Bring Your Operation into Compliance Through Retrofitting

Did you know that you can eliminate as much as 75% of your emissions by retrofitting pumps, valves, and flanges with the right sealing products? Retrofitting can eliminate or reduce the capital costs of replacing equipment. You’ll reduce Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) program costs with fast, total compliance, and avoid the costs and penalties of Quality Improvement Program (QIP) mandated improvements.

As your single sealing source, Garlock experts will make it as economical as possible to bring your entire operation into compliance through effective retrofitting. With eight complete product lines, we’ve kept ahead of regulations for years with the most advanced seals — thoroughly tested and proven for the widest range of process applications, temperatures, pressures and chemicals. And the benefits go beyond compliance: you’ll also avoid costly shutdowns with seals that are designed for long-lasting effectiveness — and you’ll cut the high costs of product loss and energy with a leak-tight system.

Equipment requiring sealing compliance

Need to Reduce Fugitive Emissions? Look for Garlock Valve Packing.

When it comes to valve packings, you look for products that are resistant to high pressures, temperatures, chemicals, and fire — but what about compliance with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Emissions Regulations? According to the Ecological Society of America (ESA) half of all fugitive emissions come from chemical and hydrocarbon processing facilities — with valve stem leaks accounting for 60% of these emissions.

Garlock's advanced sealing concepts dramatically reduce fugitive valve stem emissions. From Garlock 9000 Expandable Valve Stem Packing (EVSP) Simplified™ to Garlock Style 1303-FEP compression packing, our products are tested to meet every code and requirement: bringing your valves into compliance with Federal VOC emission requirements and State Implementation Plans (SIP). Let our trained and experienced engineers provide a comprehensive survey of your equipment and processes — and recommend products that can provide solutions to potentially costly fugitive VOC emissions applications.

Need Details on Our Newest Products? Check out our Micro-Sites.

Garlock has recently developed several “micro-sites” – Web sites where you can find a wealth of information on specific Garlock sealing solutions. Here are some of the key sites you should visit:

• www.extremegradegaskets.com Get the latest on Garlock’s new Extreme Grade Gaskets. These gaskets are ideal for critical service applications; they deliver “best-in-class” sealability, load retention, adhesion resistance, and fire safety. Extreme Grade Gaskets seal 20 percent more effectively than the original design, making them safer and more environmentally efficient.
• www.sagegylon.com Garlock’s new Style 3575 Sage GYLON® Gaskets are designed for severe chemical service applications. The gasketing material offers superior load retention, reduced permeability, and improved sealability – which help minimize emissions from hazardous solvents and chemicals, including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).  
• www.hydrajust.com You’ve probably heard about the revolutionary HYDRA-JUST® Sealing System. Garlock’s patent-pending, leak-free, no-dilution sealing technology replaces mechanical seals in virtually any industrial pumping application.  
• www.multiswell.com Garlock’s MultiSwell Gaskets use a proprietary gasketing material that actually creates its own load when it comes into contact with oil or water. This extraordinary material does not degrade in contact with oils and adapts easily to all types of flange design, so it's ideal for a broad range of applications—all at a cost comparable to conventional gaskets.

Of course, you can find information on all of these products – and many more – on our main site: www.garlock.com

Happy Holidays from Your Friends at Garlock

Thank you for your support throughout 2007. We wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

Look for our next issue of Streamline in February 2008.