Spiral Wound Gasket/Emissions Containment System

The Baker Gasket, a joint creation of the Flexitallic Group and Texaco Ltd., reduces safety risks to hydrofluoric (HF) acid alkylation unit operations.

The device offers the reliability of a spiral wound gasket with the additional backup of an emissions containment system should a leak occur. According to the manufacturer, the user will see reduced maintenance costs through an improved "detect and repair" program, while the operator, plant personnel and neighborhoods next to refiners will benefit by increased health and safety.

The gasket's polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) emissions containment strip forces acid to a special orange tagged area, diverting it from the bolts, which, if weakened could lead to catastrophic failure. The special orange paint also changes colors, alerting unit operators that a leak has occurred.

Flexitallic L.P., 6915 Highway 225, Deer Park, TX 77536. Tel: 281-479-3491; Fax: 281-479-6298.