During a time when local oil and gas companies such as PETRONAS, Shell, ExxonMobil were relying on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), problems such as high lead times were common as parts had to be outsourced. Striking while the iron is hot, Malaysian-born manufacturer ProEight filled the gap in local mechanical seals production.
ProEight, an engineering consulting company, specialises in Marine Engineering studies, installation of offshore structures, launching and upending of jackets and the feasibilities of installation of pipeline and risers.
The forerunners of ProEights products are its mechanical seals – a sealing device which is used to control the leakage between rotating and stationary parts. The R.S.T MECHAFLEX is a mechanical seal with revolutionary design and simplicity that was built to improve seal robustness compared to conventional designs. It has been designed according to the API 682 4th Edition standards and includes the company’s innovative sealing unit, FLEXICAL.
The Locally Improved Compression Unit, FLEXICAL is a breakthrough technology that is more robust and is able to increase the lifespan of mechanical seals. As an ‘engine’ of mechanical seals, its simple design leads to reductions in failure points. FLEXICAL is adept in taking large deflections and is able to minimise mechanical seal breakdowns on site.
MECHAFLEX and its sister design the R.S.T Series, have numerous innovative features such as flexibility – allowing full six degrees of freedom – excellent heat dissipation and exemplary reliability due to having fewer components than legacy compression units.
Through continuous study and research, ProEight has several new inventions such as the CycloDyne. It is a filtration system used in API piping plans such as those in plans 31 and 41, providing clean product liquid to the seal chamber for heat dissipation of mechanical seals.
CycloDyne separates solid particles from a product liquid through high-velocity vortex separation where heavier solid particles are directed downwards to the underflow, while lighter clean product liquids escape through the overflow and are flushed to the seal chamber.
Next on the ProEight lineup is the Tripeller. This technology employs computer numerical control (CNC) machining with a separable blade to improve the impeller’s surface finish while providing breakthrough material strengthening through welding and various manufacturing methods. This technology is devised to be used in withstanding localised erosion such as with sand in pumps.
Combining Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to detect the proximity of localised erosion, blades and shrouds are further strengthened using cladding processes with high hardness materials such as Stellite to prolong the lifespan of the Tripellerunder harsh environments.
ProEight has had over 20 years’ worth of experience in innovating, designing, manufacturing and refurbishing mechanical seals and related technologies. Their customers are able to experience a reduction in maintenance costs, turnaround times, and an increase in engineering support and product improvement.
PROEIGHT SDN BHD
No. 68, Jalan Industri 2/3, Rawang Integrated Industrial Park, 48000 Rawang, Selangor, Malaysia
