All ESA Divisions have been actively engaged throughout the year, achieving significant advancements in projects, training initiatives, and magazine publications.
Packings Division
The CEN Packing Standard is currently progressing to the enquiry phase, with contributions from Division members involved in CEN TC197 WG3. A comparative test project assessing the fugitive emission performance of dedicated packing sets versus cut packing lengths has been successfully completed for expanded graphite and PTFE packings. An article for Valve World, which will analyse the performance of packing rings in comparison to packing lengths, is scheduled for publication early next year. Additionally, a hydrogen testing program has been established at DHBW Mannheim University, where expanded graphite packing was evaluated in accordance with ISO 15848 CO1. This testing will extend to PTFE packing sets. The initiative aimed at eliminating plastic packaging has proven successful, with Burgmann Packings and other ESA members set to implement this solution in the upcoming year.
Expansion Joints Division
The configurator tool designed for selecting standard fabric expansion joint solutions has been completed in Excel format. To make this tool accessible on the Division’s website, it will need to be converted into a web-based version, with programming currently in an advanced stage. The configurator is expected to go live early next year. Furthermore, the development of a training presentation titled “Introduction to Fabric Expansion Joints” is nearing completion.
Mechanical Seals Division
Throughout the year, members of the Mechanical Seals Division have been actively participating in working groups to update API 682. The fifth edition of this standard is anticipated to be finalized by year-end. The Division has published two documents regarding fugitive emissions and mechanical seals on the ESA website and Knowledgebase. The first training course, “Introduction to Mechanical Seals,” has been released, and a second module focusing on containment seals is in its final stages and will be published shortly. Additional training modules are also under development. Two articles discussing diamond-coated face seals and mechanical seal reliability have been published by World Pumps. The Division members are working on a range of further articles for 2025.
Flange Gasket Division
The project comparing the emission results of hydrogen and helium across different gasket materials was successful. Three articles about expanded graphite, PTFE and aramid fiber-based gaskets have been created and published in Valve World Magazine. Also, a presentation about these results and packing measurements has been presented at the Valve World Conference in December. A second training presentation covering gasket types and materials has also been released. Efforts are ongoing for the development of a third training module dedicated to gasket installation. Furthermore, initiatives are underway to incorporate subtitles in multiple languages for the presentations, and the feasibility of AI voiceovers is being explored. The initiative aimed at reducing plastics is progressing, with efforts to identify alternatives for plastic spacers and the wrapping of spiral wound gaskets.
Elastomeric & Polymeric Seals Division
CETIM has advanced its work on the Arrhenius project, which is centred on predicting the lifespan of elastomeric seals. The key objectives for the upcoming year include a deeper investigation into the Arrhenius methodology, as well as the creation of a report and guidelines on elastomer aging. A second article detailing the project’s progress will also be drafted for Valve World. There will be a new emphasis on conducting compression tests to evaluate aging in both air and hydrogen environments at CETIM, along with exploring additional hydrogen-related testing. A position paper addressing tariff codes for FKM and FFKM seals has been published on the ESA website and submitted to EU customs authorities. The development of the initial training program titled “Introduction to elastomeric seals” is still in progress.
Ralf Vogel,
Technical Director, ESA