FTL Technology has recently been awarded the contract to supply Graphalloy® bushes on the Sulzer Roteq Malampaya deep water gas to power project in the South China Sea. The two large vertical line shaft pumps, built by Sulzer Roteq UK, are thought to be the longest anywhere to operate on hydrocarbon liquid.
Graphalloy® bushes were chosen for the 70 metre long pump shaft for their dry running and chemical resistance characteristics. For this length of shaft, dry running capability is essential during pump start up, as for a period of approximately 15-20 seconds the bushes are starved of product lubrication.
Developed over 80 years ago by Graphite Metallizing Corporation, Graphalloy® materials are formed by forcing molten metal into the pores of solid graphite. Graphalloy® bushings are self-lubricating, non galling and extremely resistant to corrosion. These properties along with its ability to withstand high temperatures and sudden temperature changes make it ideally suitable in applications where low lubricity fluids, such as light hydrocarbons, liquid gases and condensates, are present. Plus, due to its ability to cope with temperature changes closer running tolerances can be achieved, which greatly improve pump efficiency.
If a problem exists where there's high temperatures present, or lack of, or difficulty in lubricating, or corrosive medias, then Graphalloy® bearing material is the answer.