Teflon lube additive - a solution for seal leaks

The concept was presented by Jørgen P. Beyer, founder and Managing Director ABCON AS, which has designed Teflon based additives that improves the capability of lube oil and reduces friction causing seal leakages.

Opening the session IMarEST UAE branch honorary secretary Nikeel Idnani explained how seal leakages in oil-to-sea interface equipment which could result in pollution or water ingress onboard, incapacitating a vessel and compromising safety of life, property and the marine environment. He highlighted the damaged stern thruster seal of 15,000 teu Container ship Emma Maersk which eventually resulted in flooding of the engine room in February 2013.

Beyer explained how they had identified the primary causes of leaks in stern tubes, tunnel thrusters and CPP was insufficient lubrication of seals during drydocking, air locks in those systems after assembly, oil film pressed out during stand still, fishing lines pulled into seals, sand and other impurities damaging seals when passing through shallow waters.

The company has developed ABCON Marine SL which contains Teflon additives are specifically designed to create a barrier in the gap between the rubber seal and the shaft surface.

(l to r) Rohit Raj Nikeel Idnani Surendra Naidu Marianne Mulvad Jørgen Beyer (002).JPG

Beyer quoted the chief engineer of general cargoship Eidsvaag Vega, which had developed a leak in the stern seal as saying, “For more than 16 years I have worked in various ships, Fishing, Dry Cargo and Offshore, but never have I seen anything more effective. After three-four hours the leakage had so to say gone. Alternatively, we would have had to go to dry dock plus six weeks waiting time for a new stern tube seal.”

According to Beyer the lube additive enables an affected vessel uninterrupted operation until the next scheduled drydocking where the problem can be permanently fixed.

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