Flowserve Corp., a global provider of fluid motion and control products and services, has launched its new Flowserve GCX single mechanical cartridge seal. The GCX is specifically designed for ANSI and DIN pump services, where the pumps and seals are required to operate in multiple chemical environments without chemical compatibility change-outs.

The Flowserve GCX seal is ideally suited for intermediate and batch chemical processes in short-run chemical plants and in multiple campaign specialty chemical and pharmaceutical plants using solvents and steam for decontamination.

Built with durable metals to withstand corrosion and harsh chemical conditions, the GCX features an alloy C-276 bellows, 316 stainless steel components, and flexible graphite foil secondary seals. Elastomer components used in competing seals are not suited for variable, harsh chemical conditions, and are susceptible to corrosion and degradation, especially in multiple chemical applications. The metallurgical components in the GCX also enable it to operate in a wider temperature range than elastomer-based seals.

With no dynamic O-ring, the stationary bellows design of the GCX, based on the Flowserve ISC bellows seal, avoids seal hang-up in coking applications. Its canned sleeve design prevents installation damage to its silicon carbide rotor, which is held in compression with a graphite foil secondary seal for maximum chemical compatibility.