Since its market launch in 2015, ProfiSeal has equipped more than 150 shaft lines with its latest fireproof A60 bulkhead seal technology. This innovative solution is primarily used in larger passenger vessels, including cruise ships, RoRo, and RoPax ferries. Additionally, coast guard and navy vessels are increasingly adopting this advanced technology.
Bulkhead seals, traditionally known for preventing water from spreading through a hull after a breach, now also effectively stop the spread of fire from high-risk areas like engine rooms. This modern approach eliminates the need for additional fire protection systems beyond the bulkhead, especially for dynamic components such as rotating shafts.
ProfiSeal introduced the fireproof bulkhead seal with a third sealing ring made from special carbon, enhancing fire containment capabilities. This design includes a sacrificial outer ring that oxidizes upon contact with fire, releasing carbon dioxide to protect the inner rings and prevent further combustion. The three-ring system ensures that even if the outer ring is compromised, the second ring continues to block oxygen, and the third ring remains intact to prevent water spread.
Testing at the Institute for Safety Engineering in Freiberg, Germany, demonstrated the effectiveness of these seals. Under controlled high-temperature conditions of 950 °C, the bulkheads were tested with computer-controlled heats that brought shaft ends to extreme temperatures. Various sensors measured the temperature of the bulkheads on the non-flame side, showing a significant limitation in temperature increase, thus preventing the synthetic carbon components from combusting. Fire and smoking gas did not penetrate along the shaft line.
Hall A3 | booth 408
