Boulden Company products

Abradable seals can run with tighter clearance than traditional stationary aluminum labyrinth seals. The tighter clearance results in higher compressor efficiency. For most compressor makes and models using abradable seals, rotating labyrinths are installed at the impeller eyes and between impellers. A soft “abradable” material—usually Fluorosint or Nickel Graphite—is used for the stationary wear component. During transient conditions such as passing through a critical speed at start up, the rotating labyrinths will simply cut a channel into the abradable material, avoiding damage to the labyrinths and allowing the compressor to continue operation with tight clearance and high efficiency.

Rotating machines with oil-fed bearings are susceptible to oil leaks from the bearing case seals. Compressors, turbines, motors, gearboxes, and pumps that use forced feed lubrication systems can all suffer from oil leaks. These leaks can represent anything from a housekeeping nuisance to a risky fire hazard. Our team at GCBS (Gulf Coast Bearing and Seal) can help you eliminate these headaches with custom-fit oil seals for forced-feed or pressurized lubrication systems.

Centrifugal compressors use labyrinth seals at the impeller eyes, between impellers, and at the balance drum. The purpose of the labyrinth seals is to reduce flow between stages; therefore, tight clearance and minimum flow between stages is an important factor in centrifugal compressor efficiency.

Pump wear rings are simple components, but they have a profound impact on pump reliability, efficiency, and safety.

Throttle bushings and center-stage bushings are upgraded to composite materials for similar reasons as the pump wear rings.

Boulden B-Series, Vespel CR-6100 and Metcar M-161 and M-310 are ideal materials for vertically suspended pump shaft bearings, replacing traditional materials like bronze, carbon, or plastic bearings.

A throat bushing in a centrifugal pump isolates the mechanical seal environment from the overall flow within the pump. By changing the clearance at the throat bushing, pressure in the seal chamber and seal flush flow rate can be manipulated to provide a better sealing environment.

The Boulden B-Series is a family of composite materials developed so that OEMs, repair shops, and end users can apply composite material wear parts across the broadest range of machines possible. This family of materials provides flexibility in part geometry, design, and service conditions, combined with Boulden’s 20 years of experience applying composite materials to rotating machines.