Environment

John Crane, a global leader in rotating equipment solutions and a subsidiary of Smiths Group plc, has announced the launch of its innovative Type 93AX Coaxial Separation Seal, a next-generation dry gas seal engineered to enhance equipment reliability, reduce emissions, and lower operational costs across the energy and process industries.

Developed in response to customer feedback, the Type 93AX offers advanced performance capabilities that address common pain points across sectors such as oil and gas, power generation, and clean energy. Notably, test data indicates the seal can reduce nitrogen consumption by up to 80% compared to conventional radial separation seals, offering significant operational and environmental benefits.

The introduction of this product aligns with regional industrial and sustainability initiatives including the UAE’s Make it in the Emirates, the Net Zero 2050 Strategy, and Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Green Initiative—all of which aim to slash industrial carbon emissions and encourage innovation in clean technology.

Engineered for Real-World Failure Scenarios

One of the standout features of the Type 93AX is its robust, fail-safe design. It maintains sealing performance even during multiple failure scenarios, thereby reducing the likelihood of costly unplanned downtime. This capability is especially crucial in energy and process applications, where equipment failures can cost facilities up to $42 million annually, according to Deloitte.

The seal supports three distinct operating states to maximize reliability:

• Standard Operation: Ensures non-contacting performance while preventing oil ingress.

• Separation Gas Loss: Continues to operate without separation gas while maintaining oil control.

• Dry Gas Seal Failure: Restricts gas leakage during compressor shutdowns, maintaining integrity at pressures up to 70 bar.

These features collectively aim to reduce system failures and minimize disruption, helping companies maintain continuous operations.

Addressing Major Industry Challenges

Contamination is a leading cause of dry gas seal failures, often resulting in unscheduled maintenance and operational delays. The Type 93AX is designed to prevent oil migration from compressor bearing chambers, thus improving seal reliability and extending the lifespan of critical assets.

By cutting nitrogen usage by up to 80%, the seal also reduces the load on nitrogen generators and air compressors—components that significantly contribute to energy consumption and operating costs. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), improving industrial efficiency could reduce global energy usage by up to 12% by 2040, making the efficiency gains from the Type 93AX particularly impactful.

Supporting Global and Regional Goals

Mike Eason, Chief Technology Officer at John Crane, stated:

“Our customers told us they wanted a separation seal that increases safety, efficiency, and reliability. The Type 93AX delivers on these priorities. It’s designed to keep working in real-world failure conditions to protect their most critical assets, and reduce environmental impact, while driving down OPEX and CAPEX.”

He added that the new seal integrates seamlessly with John Crane’s existing dry gas seal portfolio and can be deployed as part of a complete compressor upgrade or as a stand-alone solution. The product is supported by John Crane’s global infrastructure, including over 200 facilities and 13 turbo service centers across more than 50 countries.

The launch of the Type 93AX reinforces John Crane’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, offering customers a powerful tool to meet both operational demands and environmental targets in an increasingly dynamic industrial landscape.

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