Our vast ranges of fluid sealing products and associated components are widely used in hydroelectric and wind turbine applications. The quality and longevity of our products are well appreciated by OEMs and operators who rely on their efficiency to help minimise plant downtime.

We frequently receive orders for seals on hydroelectric schemes to replace our original items that have run trouble-free for over 20 years. Long-term reliability and low maintenance are also vital features of the sealing products that we supply to wind turbines, where remote sites with extremes of weather are regularly encountered.

• HydroSele^® water turbine shaft seal.
• Kaplan turbine blade root seals.
• Turbine guide vane seals.
• Walkersele^® radial lip seals for turbine shafts and slew ring mechanisms.
• Gland packings for water turbine shafts.
• Servo-motor seals for turbines and gates.
• Butterfly valve seals.
• Spherical valve seals.
• Penstock expansion joint seals.
• Fixed wheel gate seals.
• Flange gaskets and jointings.
• Cork-elastomer gaskets for heavy electrical plant.
• Pump and valve packings.
• Hydraulic sealing products.
• Tension control fasteners.
• Plant maintenance and refurbishment services.

HydroSele^® water turbine shaft seal

HydroSele^® is our innovative cartridge seal that improves the reliability and profitability of Francis and Kaplan turbines. This easy-to-install fully split unit is backed by a three year extended guarantee, plus swift on-site refurbishment when the guarantee period ends.

Kaplan turbine blade seals

Blade root seals on Kaplan turbines must retain hydraulic fluid within the hub, prevent water ingress for typically 25 years, and allow swift response in changes to system or head pressure. Our specially developed Solosele^® KB Hydro operates long term under adverse mechanical conditions, and is available in OSJ (On-Site Joining) form for swift and easy retrofit without stripping down the housing. Other products for these duties include Chevon^® and Lofilm^®. Pairs of seals are usually installed back-to-back in the housing.

Turbine guide vane seals

Traditionally, guide vanes have been sealed with multi-lip V-packings - such as our Chevron^® - or 'U' rings or 'O' rings. We now recommend our Lofilm^® as a modern replacement for V-packings and Solosele^® G in place of 'U' rings or 'O' rings, as these are far better at sealing in offset mechanical conditions.

Walkersele® radial lip seals

Protecting rotary mechanisms in hydroelectric and wind turbines from water, salt spray, dust or sand is a prime duty for our Walkersele^® radial lip seals. Walkersele^® D7 design can be used on Kaplan water turbine shafts where it handles 4bar pressure. A Walkersele^® with an extra dust lip protects the slew ring mechanisms of wind turbines. In such applications our patented Walkersele OSJ-2 On-Site Joining technique enables the seals to be maintenance-fitted without major plant stripdown.

Gland packings for water turbine shafts

Our compression packings suit many smaller diameter shafts, especially when backed with a 'U' ring that is energised to form a seal when repacking the gland. Typical products include our Hornet, Fluograf^® and Duramid^® packings, that combine long service life with abrasion resistance and minimal shaft wear.

Servo-motor seals for turbines & gates

Chevron^® multi-lip V-packing is popular for both single and double acting duties on servo-motors. However, the low pressure sealing capability of Lofilm^® is a significant advantage in many applications. Likewise, Solosele^® G is often specified where space is restricted and endless-type seals can be used. Custom-designed sealing systems for Pelton turbine injectors, combining both Lofilm^® and Solosele^® G prove far superior to the multi-lip packing arrangements originally installed.

Butterfly valve seals

• Butterfly valve disc seals - we supply custom mouldings of solid elastomer or fabric-reinforced elastomer. PTFE cladding, bonded to the moulding, improves breakout and dynamic friction characteristics.
• Trunnion housing seal selection depends on housing design. Our Solosele^® G and Lofilm^® are used on existing equipment, and we will recommend suitable sealing systems for new designs.
• Servo motor gland seals - we recommend Lofilm^® where space permits and Solosele^® G for shallower housings.
• Piston head seals - Chevron^® multi-lip V-packing is the traditional answer, with Solosele^® G for modern systems where space is limited.

Spherical valve seals

• Trunnion, servo-motor and piston head seals are the same as for butterfly valves, above. However, many 'U' ring applications benefit from the superior sealing integrity of our Solosele^® G.
• Moulded 'U' rings with round or flat base, dish rings and hat rings are custom-moulded for existing equipment in a wide range of rubber and fabric-reinforced rubber materials. We also manufacture polyurethane 'U' rings.

Penstock expansion joint seals

The packed gland is an extremely reliable sealing arrangement for these duties. We recommend our tough aramid-fibre based Duramid^® packing, for its excellent extrusion resistance in the generous clearances found in penstock expansion joints, combined with outstanding abrasion resistance.

Fixed wheel gate seals

Bearings on the runners of fixed wheel gates need efficient sealing to retain lubricant and/or prevent water ingress. We recommend our Walkersele^® radial lip seals to protect the greased roller bearings, and our Solosele^® G for plastic or fabric bearings.

Flange gaskets & jointings

We produce precision cut gaskets to any shape, size or complexity from any sheet material, using CAD/CAM controlled abrasive waterjet and laser systems that work directly from CAD files. Our sheet jointings cover virtually all fluid handling requirements, with ranges of compressed fibre materials, Supagraf^®graphite-based products, plus Fluolion^® Integra White & Blue creep-resistant PTFE.

Cork-elastomer gaskets for heavy electrical plant

Nebar^® cork-elastomer sheet materials are proven worldwide for longterm flange sealing duties on heavy electrical plant. Continuous development enables these products to meet the increasing demands of switchgear and transformers. We have Nebar^® grades that resist hot transformer fluids of many different specifications, as well as SF6 gas.

Pump & valve packings

We manufacture an extensive range of packings that caters for all known operating conditions with valves, rotary or reciprocating pumps and similar plant. Our Aluflon, Arasele, Duramid^®, Hornet and Ramiex gland packings have been specifically developed to cope with highly abrasive media.

Hydraulic sealing products

Our family of hydraulic sealing products covers virtually every hydraulic application. Ranges of rod/gland seals, piston seals, wipers and bearing strips suit the most accurate instruments and control actuators up the heaviest jacks and cylinders. All these products are designed and proven to give optimum equipment performance with long trouble-free operating life.

Tension control fasteners

Our RotaBolt^® tension control fasteners prove invaluable wherever an unreliable bolted connection may have cost, health & safety or environmental consequences. They are extensively used by the wind energy, power generation and offshore sectors for structural and mechanical integrity - as well as flange joints and pressure vessels.

Plant maintenance & refurbishment services

On-site maintenance and workshop-based refurbishment of valves, pumps, hydraulic systems and other plant is a key service we provide. Skilled craftsmen at our dedicated workshops use the best equipment, materials and components for these projects, and all plant items are tested and certified before re-installation. Our on-site staff are fully experienced and hold safety passports.

Click here to download the Sealing Guide for the Hydropower Industry pdf (2.98MB)