INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON RING STUFFING BOX PACKINGS OF BELL INDUSTRIES TO ACCOUNT FOR CHANGING WORKING CONDITIONS

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Bell Industries is an Edmonton-based company working in the energy industry since 1962. Bell Industries has its own line of polymeric-based products. One of these products is the ring stuffing box packings that is used for sealing rods and pistons at elevated temperatures and pressures. The ring is a fiber-reinforced polymeric composite material product that is composed of high-quality rubber that is reinforced with short Aramid (Kevlar®) fibers that are typically used in wellhead stuffing boxes and brass flakes to help with self-cleaning of the polished rod. Several industrial end-users of sealing rods and pistons have indicated to Bell Industries that they would now like ring-type packings and seals that can withstand temperatures of up to 330°C (625°F). Currently, there is little data on the effects of high-temperature, high-pressure steam on fiber-reinforced composite materials that consists of Aramid fibers. Bell Industries wishes to explore the effects of temperature and pressure on the polymeric material and develop models to predict, a priori, the performance of the material under these same conditions. This proposal is prepared to conduct fundamental research in order to understand the impact of the new operating conditions on the existing product and data to justify the development of advanced materials, if necessary. For this purpose: (1) a thorough thermo-mechanical analysis of the product to predict and document its behavior at different temperatures and (2) characterization of the temperature distribution in these fiber-reinforced rubber seals will be required. Dr. Ayranci's team proposes a project to conduct a preliminary analysis on the effects of temperature and pressure on the existing product and recommend potential modifications to the materials (fibers and rubber) and/or combinations that will be based on the results of the preliminary investigation.