Early this year, engineering components provider BMG launched its Evolution fully-coated isolation gaskets which were designed to meet the demand for sealing and isolation products in the oil and gas sector.

BMG’s Evolution isolation gaskets have been developed by fluid sealing products manufacturer Garlock Pipeline Technologies offering improved leakage rates and safe and reliable performance in high-pressure applications.

The gaskets incorporate advanced gasket technology and design benefits, into one robust system, for dependable pipeline isolation.

Key features of the gaskets include easier installation, tight sealing, high-temperature operation, zero permeation, hydro-testing isolation, fire safety and chemical-resistance. These gaskets also have low emission values to meet stringent environmental and safety standards.

“The gaskets, which are unaffected by moisture or humidity, are the first gaskets of their kind, to be fully encapsulated,” says BMG bearings, seals and gaskets business unit manager Wayne Holton. He adds that this is a major advantage in tough pipeline installations.

“The gaskets, which have a thinner 3 mm retainer, are easy to install without damage and do not have the creep relaxation problems which are often associated with conventional glass reinforced epoxy (GRE) isolation gaskets.”

He points out that although standard GRE gaskets – which use a leak-to-seal technology – provide efficient isolation and sealing in some applications, the company has found that as operators need to drill deeper, GRE materials become vulnerable over time, as they are subjected to degradation from aggressive media in the pipelines.

Evolution’s proprietary material coating eliminates the need for costly exotic cores, as there is no exposure of metal to aggressive media. These gaskets, with high-dielectric strength, are abrasion and impact resistant, while providing chemical resistance to hydrogen sulphide, steam, cobalt, carbon dioxide and other chemicals often found in oil and gas pipelines.

The gaskets – which encompass Gylon ID seals, with resistance to oil and gas chemicals – allow the gasket to be hydro-tested in the pipeline, with no compromise on its isolation properties.

The new full-coating encapsulation, with a 316LSS core, comprises pressure-energised seals and metallic-coated C-rings for advanced sealing, also enabling the gasket to withstand extreme temperature swings in the flange. For improved safety in the oil and gas industry, integrated fire-safe inconel 718 seals are standard.

Other features include a built-to-match pipe bore and a short moment arm. The robust glass-reinforced handle is made of an abrasion, impact and ultraviolet-resistant thermoplastic material.

Extensive sour media testing of the gaskets shows that there is zero permeation and no degradation of the gasket. These gaskets have also been subjected to fire, abrasion, scratch and impact tests. Steam and chemical exposure testing of the coating confirms these gaskets can efficiently handle the demands of a typical pipeline installation.

BMG’s Garlock high-performance seals and sealing systems also include metallic and Gylon gaskets, oil seals, bearing isolators, expansion joints and butterfly valves.

“Components extend from a standard sealing ring, available from BMG stock and ready to install, to customised designs, which are fabricated to specific requirements,” concludes Holton.