Facing a critical heat exchanger gasket challenge?
Mercer Gasket & Shim delivers precision-engineered solutions, whether you need a single emergency replacement or high-volume production required for OEMs, or planned maintenance. Backed by decades of experience serving diverse industries where thermal performance is paramount, we have the expertise and advanced manufacturing capabilities to meet your exact specifications. Keep reading to learn more about the industries we serve and the solutions we provide, or contact us and speak with a gasket expert.
Industries Served:
- Oil and Gas: Refineries, petrochemical plants, and pipelines use heat exchangers extensively for processes like crude oil distillation, liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, and various chemical reactions.
- Chemical Processing: Heat exchangers are vital for controlling temperatures in the production of chemicals, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and other products.
- Power Generation: Power plants, including fossil fuel, nuclear, and renewable energy facilities, use heat exchangers to transfer heat for steam generation, cooling, and other processes.
- HVAC and Refrigeration: Large-scale heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, as well as industrial refrigeration systems, rely on heat exchangers for efficient heat transfer.
- Food and Beverage: Heat exchangers are used in pasteurization, sterilization, and other processes in food and beverage production.
- Pulp and Paper: Paper mills utilize heat exchangers in various stages of pulp and paper production, including drying and chemical recovery.
- Marine: Ship engines and other marine systems use heat exchangers for cooling and temperature regulation.
- Manufacturing: Many manufacturing processes, such as metal processing and plastics production, require heat exchangers for temperature control.
Commonly Used Gasket Types for Heat Exchangers:
- Spiral Wound Gaskets:
- Why: Excellent for high-pressure and high-temperature applications. Their spiral wound construction provides resilience and strength, making them suitable for demanding conditions.
- Where: Often used in oil and gas, chemical processing, and power generation.
- Ring Joint Gaskets:
- Why: Designed specifically for high-pressure systems, offering a tight and reliable seal. Their solid metal construction provides excellent pressure and temperature resistance.
- Where: Commonly found in oil and gas, chemical processing, and other high-pressure applications.
- Compressed Fiber Sheet Gaskets:
- Why: Cost-effective and versatile, suitable for moderate pressure and temperature conditions. They are available in a wide range of materials to suit different chemical compatibilities.
- Where: Used in various industries for less demanding applications, such as HVAC, refrigeration, and some manufacturing processes.
- Kammprofile Gaskets:
- Why: Combine a metal core (often stainless steel) with a soft sealing layer (like graphite or PTFE). This provides excellent performance in high-temperature and high-pressure environments, along with good chemical resistance.
- Where: Used in demanding applications where both high temperature and pressure are present, such as chemical processing and power generation.
Factors Influencing Heat Exchanger Gasket Selection:
The choice of gasket depends on several factors, including:
- Operating temperature and pressure: Higher temperatures and pressures require gaskets with greater strength and resilience.
- Chemical compatibility: The gasket material must be resistant to the fluids and chemicals being processed.
- Flange type and surface finish: The gasket must be compatible with the flange design and surface finish to ensure a proper seal.
- Cost: The cost of the gasket material and manufacturing process is also a consideration.
Mercer’s experienced team considers all of the above to provide expert guidance in heat exchanger gasket selection. We carefully consider critical factors to ensure your heat exchangers operate with optimal safety and efficiency. We can also assist you with your heat exchanger plug requirements. We’re committed to helping you find the perfect sealing solution for your specific industry and application. Contact us today!