The sealing technology helped a natural gas storage facility overcome premature compressor failures, achieving four years of continuous operation while reducing fugitive emissions to near-zero levels

As part of Dover Precision Components, Cook Compression delivers advanced sealing solutions under the COOK CLEAN® brand, which has become an industry benchmark for reducing fugitive emissions and extending compressor reliability.

By combining engineered products with responsive service and technical expertise, Cook Compression supports customers worldwide in meeting increasingly stringent performance and environmental standards.

Against this backdrop, one natural gas storage facility was facing a critical challenge.

Four compressors in a natural gas storage facility were experiencing premature failure due to leakage through the rod rings and packing cups on OEM-installed packing cases.

The customer required a minimum two-year continuous run time on all equipment and the compressors were falling short on the MTBR (mean time between repair), resulting in unplanned downtime.

In addition, the original parts required a prolonged bed-in period during start up, leading to excessive vent leakage, which tripped the alarm and ceased operations.

ENGINEERED RESPONSE FROM COOK COMPRESSION

After evaluating the application, Cook Compression recommended upgrading the packing to a COOK CLEAN sealing system, which utilises proven best-in-class technology to reduce fugitive emissions to near-zero levels.

BTRR solid ring technology

COOK CLEAN systems are developed from innovative geometries utilising high-performance materials and configured specifically for each compressor system.

This upgrade included BTRR® solid ring technology, the Static-Pac® shutdown seal, and ultra-smooth packing cup surfaces.

In addition, Cook Compression provided additional support through rapid code-red response service, inventory management to ensure spare parts were always available, and by developing spares manuals for all compressors on the site.

MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENTS IN PERFORMANCE

After installing COOK CLEAN Sealing Systems, packing run times improved to four years of continuous operations, exceeding the customer’s requirement.

COOK CLEAN sealing systems are specifically engineered to combat fugitive emissions from reciprocating compressor packing cases, offering low-emission, solid-ring solutions that eliminate leakage paths and deliver near-zero methane emissions.

These systems also integrate advanced purge and vent seal technologies, forming a virtually leak-proof environment, lowering frictional heat and thereby extending the service life of both seal rings and the packing case.

Furthermore, Cook Compression’s comprehensive approach combines their tailored engineering services, such as CFD, FEA, dynamics simulation and root-cause analysis, with field-service capabilities like portable machining, leak-testing via Sentrix™ flowmeters, and rigorous packing case reconditioning, all supported by their proprietary TruTech® engineered polymer materials.