Towards a healthier world with increased industrial efficiency
Nature conservation and environmental awareness are ongoing global issues that affect all of humanity. Whether on an individual or societal level, these are gaining momentum and involving big players in high circles.
The associated agreements and regulations of the EU and other countries advocate for a sustainably preserved world and the conservation of resources for future generations. [1] Also, the reduction and limitation of the atmospheric carbon footprint, greenhouse gases, and air pollutants are of paramount importance.
For example, on May 26, 2019, a Dutch court ordered the oil giant Royal Dutch Shell to curtail and demanded a 45% reduction in its carbon emissions by 2030. [2] This ruling significantly raised the bar, well beyond the initially set 20% by this multinational company.
Acknowledging that volatile emissions from energy-intensive consumer industries, such as the oil or process industry, constitute a significant portion of industrial discharges, such government policies provide a welcome opportunity for the sealing industry to showcase its expertise in serving heavy industry.
As a sealing company, DONIT specializes in the research and development of custom sealing materials designed to support existing or future infrastructures for novel and advanced fuel resources in the evolving world. With its renowned brands meeting low or even zero-emission requirements, DONIT actively contributes to mitigating industrial resource use and maximizing their value while preserving ecosystems.
Fugitive emissions and associated costs[3]
Fugitive emissions from manufacturing equipment consist of volatile liquids wasted in vain due to flaring, unwanted evaporation, leakage, or accidental spillage.
Remarkably, in a typical oil refinery facility, there are at least 20,000 flange connections – each with its sealing gaskets – at the level of meters, instruments, valves, heat exchangers, pumps, compressors, mixers, tanks, etc., all susceptible to leaks. Individually, the loss per connection is practically minimal, but the overall loss across all potential volatile pathways can be incrementally significant. For comparison, the volatile emissions from a typical European refinery amount to 600 to 10,000 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOC) per year.
In addition to their undeniable environmental damages, volatile emissions add up to a burdensome financial loss for the involved company in terms of valuable raw material losses and energy. These losses are irretrievable by definition and contribute to the inefficiency of the plant. The actual costs associated with them, however, may not be immediately apparent. Visible costs include the loss of product, while invisible costs involve expenses for leak repair, replacement parts, energy wastage, environmental cleanup, government fines, legal costs from personal injury claims, as well as lost or weakened sales due to the damaged reputation of the company.
Thus, the proper use of an appropriate seal can spare all the hazards and damages associated with a leak. A poignant reminder is the unfortunate disaster of the manned U.S. space shuttle Challenger; its explosion resulted from the failure of a small O-ring. [4]
DONIT selects sealing materials for "Clean Energy" companies
The scientific and economic assessment of various energy sources appears to favor hydrogen gas (H2), particularly the so-called "Green Hydrogen," as the most suitable for current and future energy supply. [5,6]
Indeed, hydrogen gas can serve as a universal alternative fuel for all industrial sectors, thereby replacing emissions-intensive fossil fuels. Furthermore, it can be utilized as a raw material or as a reducing agent in the oil and process industry.
Ensuring a continuous supply of hydrogen to the industry, therefore, necessitates relying on a specifically tailored infrastructure for its production, storage, transportation, and delivery. Sealing elements such as gaskets, available in various forms, sizes, and materials, are an integral part of this chain.
DONIT sealing products comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations and customer requirements. We supply innovative structured products for advanced technologies.
DONIT is committed to developing its sealing expertise in the service of hydrogen-related production and applications, including generation systems and conveying circuits. [7] A specialized facility has been established capable of testing seals against hydrogen diffusion under various conditions. Additionally, we have adapted our calendered sealing plate portfolio, and the premium TESNIT® BA-SOFT sealing material, in particular, stands out with a 50-fold increased efficiency compared to other common asbestos-free fiber-based alternatives. [8]
References:
[1] List of international environmental agreements: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_international_environmental_agreements
[2] Taylor C., 26. May 2021, https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/26/dutch-court-rules-oil-giant-shell-must-cut-carbon-emissions-by-45percent-by-2030-in-landmark-case.html.
[3] Sealing Devices – Fugitive Emissions Reduction: Best Available Techniques; The European Sealing Association e.V., 2019.
[4] Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Challenger_disaster
[5] Hydrogen is the answer – What was the question?; Ausfelder F., ACHEMA MAGAZIN2021, pp. 10–15.
[6] EU Green Deal – Project "Hydrogen Strategy": https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/hydrogen_strategy.pdf
[7] DONIT, a perfect complement to the EU's "hydrogen strategy": https://donit.eu/blog/donit-a-perfect-fit-for-the-eu-hydrogen-strategy/
[8] An advanced sealing material for today's innovative machines: https://donit.eu/blog/an-advanced-sealing-material-for-current-innovative-machinery/
Dipl. Ing. Peter Übelmesser
Director Product Portfolio Management
New Business Development
Donit Tesnit GmbH
Werastraße 105
70190 Stuttgart
www.donit.eu