Cryogenic Pump Upgrade with Graphalloy^® Bushings

A petrochemical company that produces polyethylene and polypropylene (two of the most widely used polymers in the world) had issues with their vertical multi-stage pump in cryogenic service. The pump, fitted with bronze bearings, would seize after the chilling process. The customer needed self-lubricating bearings that would work at cryogenic temperatures without seizing. The pump has an operating temperature of -102°C, with a process medium of propylene/ ethylene.

The company's engineer worked with Graphalloy's engineering team to design Graphalloy nickel-grade bushings to replace the pressure reducing, line shaft, bowl, and lower bearings. Graphalloy bushings work at temperatures as low as -260°C (-435°F). 

The Graphalloy bushings were installed in a test pump. After testing was completed, the company's engineer advised us that "it was a very successful test and the Graphalloy bushings solved the seizing issue in this pump". The pump has been back in service, at the petrochemical company, for over one year, with no issues.

Read about Graphalloy's Success in an application that experienced frequent dry running