Enhancing Efficiency and Sustainability for Energy and Process Industries with the Type 93AX Coaxial Separation Seal

Sustainability goals are intensifying across every industrial sector, from oil and gas to clean energy. However, reducing emissions and improving critical equipment efficiency often come with significant investment. What if you could make measurable progress, while creating real cost-savings?

That's exactly what John Crane's Type 93AX coaxial separation seal offers: an innovative, more efficient turbomachinery solution that supports operational and environmental performance without compromise.

The Drive for Smarter, Greener Operations

Across industrial sectors, the push to reduce harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as methane, improve energy efficiency and lower operational costs is stronger than ever. At the same time, maintaining safety and reliability remains non-negotiable. While separation seals may seem like a small detail in the overall system, they play a crucial role in meeting these evolving demands.

Installed between a compressor's dry gas mechanical seal and bearings, they help prevent oil contamination and restrict process gas leakage. However, many conventional designs require large volumes of nitrogen to function effectively, adding strain on energy resources and infrastructure and increasing costs. John Crane's Type 93AX coaxial separation offers a more efficient, forward-thinking alternative.

Energy and Emissions Performance Benefits

The Type 93AX coaxial separation seal reduces nitrogen consumption by up to 80% compared to traditional radial separation seals. This dramatic reduction is achieved through:

• Axial, non-contacting design: Requires less gas to maintain face separation.
• TriHex groove geometry: Optimised to form a high-stiffness gas barrier with minimal leakage for robust non-contacting operation.

Designed and engineered to specifically lower gas consumption, the Type 93AX also reduces energy requirements for air compressors and Nitrogen generators, delivering real savings in energy and emissions.

Designed for the Future of Energy

The Type 93AX separation seal is engineered to meet the demands of emerging energy technologies, making it well-suited for hydrogen transport and processing and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS). Its robust design supports vent pressures up to 35 bar and temperatures ranging from -25°C to 180°C/ -13°F to 356°F. Compliant with API 692 standards, the Type 93AX delivers reliable sealing performance even under the most challenging operating conditions, positioning it as a future-ready solution for modern compressor applications.

Business Value and Cost Control

Reducing nitrogen use doesn't just support sustainability—it delivers measurable performance and cost savings which positively impact your bottom line:

• Lower OPEX: Lower nitrogen means lower running costs.
• Lower CAPEX: No need to upgrade nitrogen generation packages.
• Increased MTBR/MTBF: Less wear leads to longer seal life.

The Type 93AX acts as an additional mechanism of protection, a back-up seal to keep your compressors running in failure scenarios. These common failure scenarios include interruption of separation gas supply and dry gas seal failure; the Type 93AX limits the impact of unplanned catastrophic events.

Seamless Integration and Service Support

The Type 93AX separation seal is designed to integrate easily into most major compressor brands and aligns seamlessly with John Crane's existing portfolio of dry gas seals. This compatibility enables upgrades without the need for extensive equipment modifications.

As a full-service provider, John Crane supports both OEM installations and aftermarket needs to deliver mechanical seals, components and service through one trusted partner. Our global network of service centres provides expert diagnostics, installation, repair and refurbishment, backed by highly trained turbomachinery engineers.

Real-World Applications

The Type 93AX is purpose-built for the high demands of today's energy landscape and the emerging energy landscape of tomorrow. It is already proving its value in a range of mission-critical operations. Its ability to perform reliably under high pressures, variable temperatures and failure conditions makes it a strong fit for:

• Offshore oil and gas platforms, where space and nitrogen availability are limited and uptime is essential.
• Midstream gas pipelines, which require continuous operation and minimal maintenance across remote installations.
• Clean energy and decarbonisation projects, including hydrogen, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), and sustainable fuels, including biofuels.
• Power generation and industrial processing facilities, where operational efficiency and emissions control are tightly linked to ESG performance.

In each of these environments, John Crane's next-generation separation seal helps operators improve performance, enhance safety and reliability and advance sustainability goals, without requiring significant capital investment or system redesign.

Achieve More with Less

The Type 93AX coaxial separation seal gives you a practical way to meet operational and sustainability goals. It delivers reliable performance, reduced emissions and lower operating costs. Contact our experts today to learn how this innovative sealing solution can support your long-term reliability and efficiency targets.