For sustained function in difficult environments, energy production equipment must be protected from intense pressures, heavy usage, and environmental contaminants. Wind, dust, sand, water, snow, and ice can grind operations to a standstill unless equipment is adequately sealed. For over 70 years, APM Hexseal has been innovating seal technologies that safe and effective energy generation depends on.

Sealing Products for Energy Generation

Oil

Oil rigs, stations, drills, hole borers, and downhole cameras are all operated by electronics that require sealing to keep them functional in harsh oil and gas environments. In addition to preventing leakage of oil from machinery into the environment, our products provide reliable sealing to protect sensitive electronics from dust, dirt, sand, water, salt spray, and other environmental particles.

Examples of specific equipment that requires sealing for oil applications include:

  • Switches
  • Circuit breakers
  • Valves
  • Pumps
  • Flanges
  • Tanks
  • Gaskets

Solar

Sealing solar equipment is important to prevent dust and moisture from rain, sleet, and snow from entering inverters or penetrating the seal between the glass and photovoltaic cells. Sensitive components must also be sealed from high temperatures and protected from oxidation and corrosion.

Examples of specific equipment that requires sealing for solar applications include:

  • Solar panels
  • Electrical connections
  • Inverters
  • Mounting hardware
  • Junction boxes

Wind

Land and offshore turbines have very fast rotating parts, which must be UV-resistant and corrosion-free. Preventing elements like wind, rain, snow, sleet, and saltwater from entering vulnerable joints between the moving parts is crucial to proper functionality and lengthening equipment lifespan. Sealing solutions are also important to prevent the leakage of lubricants and other machine fluids into the surrounding environment.

Examples of specific equipment that requires sealing for wind applications include:

  • Gearboxes
  • Bearings
  • Shafts
  • Blade pitch systems
  • Control systems
  • Yaw systems

Hydro

Due to the nature of hydroelectric power generation, marine-grade environmental seals are required to keep water out of mechanical or electrical components. These watertight seals must be resistant to saltwater, corrosion, and high pressures.

Examples of specific equipment that requires sealing for hydro applications include:

  • Turbines
  • Shaft seals
  • Hydroelectric generators
  • Control systems
  • Penstocks
  • Guide vanes

Challenges in Energy Generation Environments

Sudden temperature fluctuations and inclement weather events are two of the main challenges when sealing outdoor energy generation equipment. Improper sealing can result in pressure imbalances between the internal equipment environment and the surrounding environment, potentially creating a vacuum that can attract moisture, dust, and dirt. These contaminants eventually lead to equipment malfunction and premature failure. Proper sealing products can enhance operations while extending equipment longevity.

Beyond standing up to various environmental hazards, sealed components also must keep substances from leaking out. This makes the reliability of sealed products critical to both conventional and alternative energy production machinery.

APM Hexseal’s Sealing Products for Energy Generation

APM Hexseal’s product line is heavily relied on by the energy sector, which depends on our advanced seal technologies for safe, efficient operations. To fulfill these needs, we produce some of the most reliable industrial-strength sealing products, including:

  • Boots for toggle, pushbutton, and rotary switches, including fully and partially enclosed covers that resist corrosion, UV rays, dust, dirt, grease, salt, and moisture on consoles and control centers.
  • Bushing seals for switch panel cut-outs, to maintain sealing around mounting holes and fitting snugly against the mounting panel.
  • Boots for circuit breakers and rocker switches, secured with our high-pressure, self-sealing Seelscrews® and specially formulated transparent silicone that resists yellowing. Our boots for rocker switches and circuit breakers resist salt spray, splash, ozone, UV light, dust, most acids, grease, and fungus.
  • High-pressure self-sealing fasteners and nuts, to contain or resist contamination under high pressures, using reusable seals at the base or opening of the threads. Our self-sealing fasteners and nuts are equally suited for keeping liquids and particulates out as well as in.
  • Airtight sealing washers, which create a 360° sealing barrier around the washer face when compressed and can potentially be used as knockout hole plugs. With its silicone rubber and stainless steel construction, these washers are particularly useful for devices that depend on creating a vacuum.
  • Nutzilla, which are gigantic hex nuts sized up to M90. They feature industrial-strength rubber custom-molded into a cavity of the nut itself, creating an impenetrable seal even at scale.

Benefits of Using APM Hexseal’s Sealing Products in the Energy Industry

Our sealing technologies protect sensitive electronics and critical energy generation devices from contamination, heat, moisture, corrosion, and more, while also ensuring a contaminant-free site. Wherever equipment would otherwise quickly break down, sealing products extend product lifespan and enhance functionality, all while maintaining safe and clean working environments.

Our sealing components are made in compliance with these and other certifications and standards:

  • ISO 9001:2015
  • Dodd-Frank Act
  • UL
  • Proposition 65
  • RoHS compliance
  • REACH compliance
  • Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

With an emphasis on longevity, our sealing products extend power generation equipment lifespan, dramatically reducing long-term costs that would otherwise make many energy production methods unprofitable, if not impossible.

Connect with APM Hexseal

APM Hexseal is dedicated to advancing the technologies that energy sectors depend on to keep their equipment sealed and protected from environmental hazards. For more information about our products and capabilities, contact us, request a quote, or search our extensive product inventory.