Stator Water Cooling with Copper Flanges

Problem

Original paper-like gaskets installed on copper piping flanges on the Stator Water Cooling system leaked in service at nuclear plant in New York. When leakage occurs in this system, the rectifier needs to be isolated to complete repairs. If two or more rectifiers need to be isolated, it could lead to a down power. Operating conditions were 130 deg F, 20 PSI, 2 Inch 150 LB slip-on flanges.

Solution

Copper Flanges require a gasket to seal at lighter bolt loads. The gaskets were replaced with Garlock Multi-Swell 3760 and proved successful. The 3760 material is highly compressible and is capable of sealing at low bolt loads. Its swelling ability generates additional gasket load while in service and maintains the load.