Diesel Generator Barrel Exhaust Gaskets

Problem

The Barrel Exhaust gaskets on the Diesel Generators at a Nuclear Plant experienced leakage. The application is exposed to thermal cycling and very high temperatures to 1100 Deg F. Existing gaskets were graphite spiral wounds which experienced oxidation of the graphite at these high temperatures.

Solution

The solution consisted of upgrading the filler material in the spiral wound gasket to Thermiculite which doesn’t oxidize at high temperatures. The steel winding was also upgraded to Inconel X-750 heat treated to provide better performance during the thermal cycling.