John Crane saves 99.8% on water for LNG exporter

John Crane, a rotating equipment supplier and part of Smiths Group plc, reported Mar. 22 that it helped enable a 99.8% reduction in water consumption at an LNG export facility in Louisiana. The company accomplished this task by deploying its Type SB2 USP dual-cartridge seal, which supports high-temperature, hot well pump operations, and reduced daily water consumption from approximately 2,000 gallons to just 3-4 gallons.

Previously, the LNG facility’s pumps relied on conventional mechanical seals with an API Plan 32 demineralized water flush, which required a continuous supply of treated water to cool and lubricate the seal faces. This approach was effective, but water-intensive, driving up operational costs, especially at the high process temperatures involved. By contrast, Type SB2 USP is engineered to operate reliably between 180 °C and 200 °C with minimal water use.

Type SB2 USP seal employs proprietary, non-contacting, upstream-pumping technology, and uses buffer fluid to cool and lubricate its seal faces. This minimizes the need for external water flushes, while maintaining stable performance in demanding conditions.

The solution was delivered and installed at the LNG facility within eight weeks, with no implementation challenges reported, enabling the operator to achieve immediate, measurable water savings. Since installation, the facility has maintained stable seal performance, while significantly reducing its reliance on demineralized water. The operator is already considering adopting Type SB2 USP seal more widely.

“This project shows what’s possible when advanced sealing technology is applied to high-temperature, high-demand processes,” says Mike Eason, CTO at John Crane. “Achieving a 99.8% reduction in water consumption is a powerful example of how engineering innovation can support operational efficiency and responsible resource management.”