from the conferences organized by TANGER Ltd.
A characteristic feature of advanced energy devices, such as Generation IV nuclear reactors, is operation combining high temperatures and pressures of working media. One of the key issues is ensuring the tightness of joints of metal components at very high temperatures (above 600 °C). At the same time, it is necessary to ensure tightness during non-nominal operating conditions associated with temporal changes in operating parameters. Commonly, seal (gasket) in Czech Republic is tested according to the ČSN EN 13 555 standard, where the combination of high operating temperature and high pressure changing over time with a chosen rate of change is not considered. For this reason, a unique device for testing gaskets was developed and commissioned at the Research Centre Řež (CVR). The facility allows characterization and tightness tests of different sealing products at wide temperature (up to 700 °C) and pressure (up to 40 MPa) that might also be time dependent. The facility also allows testing of the entire gasket + flange + bolts assembly up to an outer diameter of 150 mm. In this paper, design, capabilities, and the first operational experience are mentioned. In addition, preliminary results from testing gasket with a metallic core are mentioned. The device and the associated research can contribute to increasing the efficiency of sealing metal flange joints and other components and developing methodologies for evaluating sealing elements under extreme conditions, thus increasing the safety of operation of energy or other process equipment operating at high pressures and temperatures.
Keywords: Sealing, tightness, high temperature-high pressure, leak rate, methodology© This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.