Use of Viton in sour service

[JasonLouie]

Hello,
I have found conflicting information regarding the use of Viton in sour service. Does anyone have experience with Viton in sour service and is there a H2S limit for Viton?
Thanks!

 

[ash9144]

You need to specify the grade of viton (a,b,c,d I think) and they don't all work. One is excellent in sour service.

 

[TVP]

Jason,

As the previous resonder aluded to, there are now several different types/grades of Viton, so you need to be very specific when specifying elastomers using this tradename. Traditional vinylidene fluoride-based fluorelastomers (ASTM D 1418 designation of FKM) are not suitable for sour conditions. Many of the Viton grades are FKM elastomers. Newer formulations like VTR-8802 are copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and propylene, called either TFE/P or FEPM which is the ASTM D 1418 designation. This type of fluoroelastomer is suitable for sour service. The other type of elastomer that has good resistance to H₂S is called perfluoroelastomer (FFKM designation). Kalrez is the DuPont tradename for these materials. Go to the DuPont Elastomers website for more info:

http://www.dupontelastomers.com/

 

[SJones]

Don't just rely on the elastomer manufacturer's compatibility charts. Get any recommendations backed up with NORSOK M-701 test reports for both sour ageing and rapid gas decompression resistance ensuring that the data is commensurate with your proposed design conditions.

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.pdo.co.om/pdoweb/

 

[SJones]

Sorry - NORSOK M-710

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.pdo.co.om/pdoweb/

 

[JasonLouie]

Thank you very much everyone for your valuable responses. I really appreciate this information!

 

[strider6]

this is the NACE standard for evaluation of elastomeric materials in sour service:

NACE TM0187-2003 Evaluating elastomeric materials in sour gas environments

these reports from HSE can give you some good advise:

Elastomers for fluid containment in offshore oil
and gas production: Guidelines and review

http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr320.pdf

Elastomeric seals for rapid gas decompression applications in high-pressure services

http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr485.pdf

hope this help

S