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Upgrades and retrofits

Take advantage of planned downtime to implement proactive enhancements that modernise your rotating machinery and sealing systems.

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Seal In Factory

Overview

Proactive enhancements have significant potential to enhance reliability, improve efficiency, reduce risk, meet compliance standards and advance long-term sustainability goals.

Leveraging our retrofit expertise, you can enhance the performance of assets such as seals and seal support systems, power transmission couplings and filtration systems.

Our services

Leveraging our retrofit expertise, you can enhance the performance of assets such as seals and seal support systems, power transmission couplings and filtration systems.

From packing to wet seals

Improve equipment efficiency and environmental performance by upgrading from traditional packing to advanced mechanical seals.

This retrofit reduces leakage, minimises product loss and lowers environmental and health risks to deliver a more reliable and sustainable sealing solution for rotating equipment.

From single seal to double seal

Upgrading from a single mechanical seal to a double seal enhances safety, reliability and environmental protection, especially when handling hazardous, toxic or abrasive fluids.

This retrofit involves replacing the entire cartridge seal and installing an external support system for barrier or buffer fluid, delivering a more robust and compliant sealing solution for demanding applications.

From wet seal to dry gas seal

Ageing centrifugal compressors can be upgraded by replacing oil-lubricated wet seals with advanced dry gas seals. This retrofit enhances reliability, reduces energy use and cuts fugitive emissions, especially methane.

John Crane’s expert approach ensures compatibility with legacy equipment, including tailored seal selection and integration planning for a smooth transition.

From dry gas seal to dry gas seal

Retrofitting legacy dry gas seals with John Crane’s advanced seal technology offers a cost-effective way to boost compressor reliability, reduce methane emissions and lower operating costs.

Customers benefit from improved efficiency, enhanced environmental compliance and access to John Crane’s global service and support network.

Seal support systems

Upgrading seal support systems with John Crane’s advanced technologies improves reliability, efficiency and environmental performance.

Whether supporting wet or dry gas seals, these retrofits are tailored to meet specific application needs and ensure optimal sealing system integration.

Power transmission couplings

Our coupling retrofit service begins with a detailed assessment of power transmission and operational needs.

By engineering and installing the right-fit coupling, this upgrade improves system reliability and reduces maintenance demands to deliver long-term performance and cost benefits.

Filtration

We offer comprehensive retrofit and upgrade options for existing filtration systems, primarily through our John Crane Indufil® and John Crane Seebach® product lines.

By incorporating the latest filtration technology, we enhance equipment reliability, improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.

Strategic maintenance (compressor and pump overhauls)

Turnkey retrofit and upgrade projects for pumps and centrifugal compressors focus on replacing outdated sealing systems with high-efficiency technology.

These engineered solutions may also include couplings, filtration systems and startup field support. We cover assessment, design, installation and commissioning to improve reliability, reduce emissions and boost energy efficiency.

Bad actor solutions for increased reliability

“Bad actor” solutions target equipment that frequently fails, driving up maintenance costs and safety risks.

By combining root cause analysis, advanced sealing technologies, digital monitoring and asset management services, these upgrades improve reliability and reduce unplanned downtime across rotating equipment.

HSE projects

Our sealing technology upgrades are designed to help industrial facilities meet evolving health, safety, environmental and decarbonisation regulations.

These solutions focus on reducing fugitive emissions and ensuring compliance to address critical customer needs around sustainability and operational safety.

Operational outcomes

Boost reliability by replacing outdated sealing systems and components.

Reduce emissions and improve compliance with advanced sealing technologies.

Enhance safety when handling hazardous or abrasive fluids.

Cut operating costs through improved efficiency and reduced product loss.

Extend equipment life with tailored upgrades for pumps, compressors, and couplings.

Minimise downtime by solving recurring failures and “bad actor” issues.

Supports sustainability goals with decarbonisation and HSE-focused solutions.

Ensure smooth integration with expert assessment, design, and commissioning.

Frequently asked questions

How does a centrifugal compressor work?

A centrifugal compressor increases gas pressure by accelerating it outward through a rotating impeller, then slowing it in a diffuser. This converts kinetic energy into pressure energy. John Crane supports these systems with dry gas seal retrofits that improve reliability, reduce emissions, and extend compressor life.

What does HSE stand for and what is it?

HSE stands for Health, Safety, and Environment. It refers to the standards and practices that protect workers, equipment, and the environment in industrial operations. John Crane supports HSE goals by delivering sealing system upgrades that reduce fugitive emissions, improve safety when handling hazardous fluids, and help facilities meet evolving environmental regulations.

What is an HSE program and how does John Crane support it?

An HSE program manages health, safety, and environmental risks in industrial operations. John Crane supports HSE goals by upgrading sealing systems to reduce fugitive emissions, improve safety when handling hazardous fluids, and help facilities meet evolving environmental and decarbonisation regulations.

What is retrofit equipment?

Retrofit equipment refers to components installed to modernise existing machinery. John Crane offers dry gas seals, seal support systems, and couplings engineered to integrate with legacy assets, boosting reliability, safety, and environmental performance.

What is a retrofit solution and why do you need one?

A retrofit solution involves upgrading existing equipment with newer, more efficient technologies. John Crane retrofit services replace outdated seals, couplings, and filtration systems to improve reliability, reduce emissions, and extend asset life. These solutions are essential for modernising legacy equipment without full system replacement.

What action is critical for a successful decarbonisation plan?

Upgrading sealing systems to reduce fugitive emissions is a critical step in any decarbonisation plan. John Crane’s retrofit solutions, especially dry gas seal conversions, help industrial facilities lower methane emissions, improve energy efficiency, and meet sustainability targets.

Why is decarbonisation critical for industrial enterprises?

Decarbonisation helps enterprises reduce environmental impact, comply with regulations, and improve long-term operational efficiency. John Crane supports this through sealing technology upgrades that cut emissions, enhance safety, and align with ESG and HSE objectives.

How can a business decarbonise with John Crane?

Businesses can decarbonise by retrofitting legacy equipment with John Crane’s advanced sealing technologies. Solutions like dry gas seal upgrades, filtration improvements, and emissions monitoring help reduce carbon footprint, improve compliance, and support sustainability goals.

Contact us

Get in touch to find out more about John Crane Performance PlusTM service solutions.

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