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Spanish power utility Endesa Generacion is so impressed with the trouble-free performance of its HydroSele® cartridge seal that a second unit will soon be installed at Bosost hydropower station, high in the Pyrenees.  

A James Walker HydroSele® S was fitted to the shaft of one of the station’s two 10MW vertical Francis turbines in February 2008. It replaced a segmented carbon ring system that leaked badly and had worn deep grooves in the turbine shaft’s 400mm diameter chrome-oxide coated running sleeve.

“Long-term and reliable shaft sealing is Endesa’s objective at the Bosost hydropower station,” reported Joan-Enric Torrent of James Walker Iberica.  “After 12 months of operation with a 103m water head, our HydroSele® was in perfect condition and working efficiently with just 2 litre/min of accurately controlled leakage.”  

This success inspired Endesa to convert the second Sulzer turbine at the station to HydroSele®. Installation time for HydroSele® was also a decisive factor, as the complete operation, from start to finish, took only three hours with two fitters.

“This significantly reduced turbine downtime in comparison to the previous sealing system”, said Tim Smith who led the James Walker team.  “We have here a prime example of best value fluid sealing technology saving both time and money for the operator. HydroSele® is easily paying for itself in terms of outstanding reliability, sealing efficiency, long life and minimal plant downtime.”  

When these HydroSeles eventually need refurbishing, the operation will be performed on site in just a few hours using a simple sealing element replacement kit. Expensive stand-by cartridge units are not needed.