Klimarapport til paperturn UK - Flipbook - Side 6
SEAL AND GASKET INDUSTRY
— VITAL ROLE
Since the late 1800s, the Earth's average surface
temperature has risen by approximately 0.6 °C. This
increase is primarily due to the accumulation of
"Greenhouse Gases," such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and water vapour. These
gases are typically emitted from industrial processes, which plant operators manage.
The sealing industry is crucial in efforts to reduce
global GHG emissions. Faulty or poorly 昀椀tted seals
result in leakages, contributing signi昀椀cantly to environmental damage. Fugitive emissions from leaking valves, pumps, and 昀氀anges exceed one million
metric tonnes per year.
In large industrial facilities, the sealing industry
also addresses the critical issue of hazardous 昀氀uid
losses, which can have severe consequences for
employees, the public, and the environment. Gaskets
6 | STEFFCA.UK
used in these settings must meet speci昀椀c requirements in terms of sealing, mechanical, and physical
properties, as well as environmental, chemical, and
thermal resistance. Mechanical and physical requirements include sealing effectiveness, compression,
recovery, tensile and crush strength, creep relaxation, thermal conductivity, and electrical properties.
Environmental requirements focus on the chemical
properties of gasket components, thermal effects,
and chemical resistance or interactions.
Each company in the sealing industry plays a vital
role in designing seals and gaskets to meet these
stringent requirements. By balancing pro昀椀tability
with the necessary measures to protect the environment and human health, these companies can
contribute signi昀椀cantly to a greener future.
