Computer programme predicts seal damage

The BHR Group 'Modes' project has developed a software methodology as a cost efficient alternative to physical testing for the prediction of explosive decompression in elastomer systems

The BHR Group Modes project has developed a software methodology as a cost efficient alternative to physical testing for the prediction of explosive decompression (ED) in elastomer systems.

Elastomer seal failure due to rapid depressurisation can cause problems within many industries such as oil and gas E and P, pipelines, chemical, aerospace and automotive air conditioning.

Failure is often insidious and progressive taking the form of cracks, blisters and gross deformations or in some cases producing immediate catastrophic fragmentation and severe leakage.

Failure of inexpensive elastomeric seals can lead to loss of containment and potentially to whole oil platforms or systems closing down.

Such events can cost not only lost production and emergency maintenance but significant environmental incidents may even infringe national legislation.

Modes is over 88% accurate at predicting the onset of ED damage in seals.

It enables engineers to assess an extensive range of 'what if - ' scenarios and design components and operating procedures to avoid failure.

The experimental work and software has also permitted an understanding of ED in relationship to seal manufacturing processes and the benefits of maintenance planning.

The modelling software is available to sponsoring organisations and contains extensive data on the selected materials.

It permits users to calculate safe minimum decompression times and number of sub- critical "emergency" decompressions the seal can survive without damage as well as seal performance under user-specified conditions.

This allows engineers to optimise seal and housing design, perform sensitivity studies and risk analyses based on material variability and material type and assess the effect of different fluids, pressures, and temperatures.

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