Success in An Ethylene Plant |
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Graphite Metallizing Corporation
1000 Nepperhan Ave.
Yonkers, NY, 10703
USA
Press release date: October 27, 2010
GRAPHALLOY® significantly improves the operation of pumps in difficult applications. Its advantage is demonstrated by its success in an ethylene plant in a Texas refinery.
Ethylene is a very light hydrocarbon that creates problems in pump operation. Because of its low viscosity, ethylene provides minimal lubrication to the rotating parts of the pump. As a result, these pumps are prone to failure.
The ethylene service pumps in this particular Texas refinery were failing two to four times a year at an average cost of $75,000 per pump. These pumps were19-stage vertical pumps operating at 3560 rpm.
The OEM pump repair shop recommended GRAPHALLOY wear parts based on their success retro-fitting other ethylene pumps. Although it was slightly more expensive than the original metal wear parts, GRAPHALLOY provided a significant cost-savings over composite plastics.
The refinery engineer recognized the benefits that GRAPHALLOY could provide. Specifically, GRAPHALLOY allows the rotating parts to contact without the danger of galling and seizing. Additionally, the unique features of GRAPHALLOY permit dry starts, survive frequent loss of suction, and extend life for continuous service.
The engineer approved the conversion and all four pumps were retro-fitted with GRAPHALLOY. In the five years since their installation, none of the converted pumps have failed. In addition, measurement of discharge pressure showed that the clearances had not opened up over time. As a result, the Texas refinery saved between $150,000 and $300,000 in repairs by converting the four pumps in ethylene service to GRAPHALLOY.
The success of GRAPHALLOY in ethylene service demonstrates why so many pump users choose GRAPHALLOY. If you have a pump operation that might benefit from GRAPHALLOY, please contact us.
About Us
Used in the manufacture of bushings, bearings and other components for machinery and process equipment, GRAPHALLOY® materials are self-lubricating, impervious to temperature extremes (from -400° F to +1000° F/-240° C to 538° C) and thrive in harsh environments where other bearings fail. Graphite Metallizing Corporation has produced GRAPHALLOY, a graphite/metal alloy, since 1913.
Eben Walker
General Manager, Graphite Metallizing Corporation
1050 Nepperhan Ave
Yonkers, New York 10703 USA
914-968-8400
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