John Crane Launches Next-Gen Coaxial Seal to Boost Reliability and Cut Emissions

John Crane, a firm specialising in rotating equipment solutions and a subsidiary of Smiths Group plc, has introduced the Type 93AX Coaxial Separation Seal, a next-generation dry gas sealing technology designed to enhance reliability, reduce emissions, and lower operating costs across key sectors such as oil and gas, power generation, and clean energy

Engineered in direct response to customer feedback, the new seal is a significant advancement over traditional radial separation seals. Early test data suggests that the Type 93AX can reduce nitrogen consumption by up to 80 percent, marking a major gain in operational efficiency and sustainability.

The seal is purpose-built to handle real-world challenges such as contamination, a leading cause of dry gas seal failure. It effectively prevents oil ingress from the compressor’s bearing chamber, reducing the risk of seal failure and unplanned downtime, which, according to Deloitte, costs the global process industries up to USD 50 billion annually.

Mike Eason, Chief Technology Officer at John Crane, said, “Our customers asked for a solution that delivers safety, performance, and reliability under pressure. The Type 93AX does just that and more. It keeps operating even in failure conditions, protects critical assets, and helps meet environmental goals.”

One of the key innovations of the Type 93AX is its ability to function across three distinct operating scenarios. In standard conditions, the seal operates without contact, effectively blocking oil ingress. If separation gas is lost, it still maintains non-contacting operation and oil control. In the event of a dry gas seal failure, it limits gas leakage during compressor shutdowns (up to 35 bar), and maintains overall seal integrity at pressures up to 70 bar.

The seal also reduces demand on support infrastructure like nitrogen generators and air compressors, helping operators cut both CAPEX and OPEX. As per the International Energy Agency (IEA), improving industrial energy efficiency could reduce global energy use by 12 percent by 2040, a goal well aligned with the capabilities of the 93AX.

Compatible with John Crane’s existing dry gas seal portfolio, the new product is backed by a global network of over 200 facilities in more than 50 countries, including 13 specialised turbo service centers. The Type 93AX can be deployed as part of a full compressor system upgrade or sold as a standalone retrofit solution.