The Vessel General Permit (VGP) is still a hot topic. The VGP indicates that the specified vessels should use Environmental Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) unless this is deemed technical infeasible. Instead of using an EAL, it’s also possible to use an alternative seal design. These seal designs are often air/vacuum/void space seal types that collect any leakage into a drain tank.
Lagersmit offers two options to be in compliance with the VGP regulations:
Option 1: Comply with the VGP by using EAL
Retrofit your current seal into a Supreme® seal executed with FKM EAL lip seals which are compatible with biodegradable oils. Since the VGP started to prescribe the use of EALs, Lagersmit started the development of a compound, which is chemically better resistant to EALs; The newly released FKM EAL compound is extremely resistant to the effects of hydrolyzed EAL when compared to other FKM compounds.
Simultaneously, Lagersmit has started testing its lip seal compounds with a number of EALs. The compatible ones can be found on www.lagersmit.com/eal.
More information in our blog: “Environmentaly acceptable lubricants (EALs) or an air type seal? It’s up to you!”
Option 2: Comply with VGP by using our Supreme Ventus® or Athmos sytem
The second option to be in compliance with the VGP regulations is to retrofit the AFT seal into our Supreme Ventus or Athmos seal. Both seals are high quality air type seals made by Lagersmit and are supported by a reliable service network with worldwide coverage. These sealing solutions will be fully geared to the current requirements of your application.
The biggest advantage of using the Supreme Ventus or Athmos seal is that the vessel operator is allowed to use mineral oils instead of costly EALs. Please find below all benefits of the Supreme Ventus and Supreme Athmos:
- Zero-emissions of oil
- Verified by DNV GL to be in line with EPA’s VGP requirements
- 24/7 Condition Monitoring of the seal
- Low Cost of Ownership
- Durable self-learning system
- No wear on liner and lip seals guaranteed during the first five years (ask for details)
Contact us for more information about our VGP friendly sealing solutions.