Partition Plate Gasket for High-Pressure Heaters

The partition plate gasket is a core sealing component for the partition plates in high-pressure heaters (referred to as “high-pressure heaters” or “HPs”). Its function is to fill the gap between the partition plate and the equipment’s inner wall to prevent steam or water from leaking, ensuring that the fluid flows along the designed path. This prevents reduced heat exchange efficiency or equipment damage due to short-circuiting.

Materials and Structure of HP Partition Plate Gaskets

• Material Selection:

  • Reinforced flexible graphite: The primary material, featuring excellent high-temperature resistance (usually ≤450°C), corrosion resistance, and low creep characteristics, making it suitable for high-pressure conditions.

  • Metal composite materials: Some high-temperature and high-pressure applications may use a structure that combines a metal core layer (such as stainless steel) with flexible graphite to enhance load-bearing capacity and thermal stability.
  • Special materials: For extreme conditions (e.g., temperatures >450°C), magnesium silicate-based high-temperature sealing materials (such as THERMa-PUR® 4122) can be used, with a maximum operating temperature of up to 1000°C and excellent oxidation resistance.

• Structural Design:

  • Multi-layer composite structure: Achieved by alternating flexible graphite layers with a metal mesh or metal foil to balance sealing performance and strength.

  • Serrated or corrugated structure: Increases the contact area to improve the sealing effect and accommodate thermal expansion deformation.
  • Pre-tightening force design: The gasket is elastically deformed by the bolt pre-tightening force to fill microscopic unevenness, ensuring long-term sealing.

Design and Installation

• Dimensions and fit: The gasket dimensions should precisely match the partition plate groove and flange sealing surface to ensure a good seal.

• Surface treatment: The contact surfaces of the partition plate and gasket should have a high-precision surface roughness (e.g., no greater than 0.8μm) to improve sealing performance.
• Installation precautions:
  • Before installation, the partition plate groove and gasket surface should be cleaned to ensure they are free of impurities and oil stains.
  • The gasket should fit tightly into the partition plate groove and against the flange sealing surface, avoiding any joints.
  • Tighten the bolts evenly to ensure uniform force on the gasket.