Essentially Rubber: James Walker seals Thames Barrier

London - James Walker has replaced hydraulic seals at the Thames Barrier as part of a routine maintenance schedule in the hydraulic cylinders which help lift gates.

The company initially supplied the seals for the gates, which protect London from surge tides and flooding, 35 years ago and had last replaced them in 2009.

The gates use 16 sets of hydraulic seals to open and close the Barrier’s four main 3300 tonne gates all year round.

“Each cylinder uses a Solosele G single element seal with a block ring, and a Twinset packing set, all of 1.1 m OD, plus a Chevron multi-lip packing set of 431 mm OD,” said James Walker.

According to James Walker, each time the Barrier is raised, 125 km2 of London is saved from a tidal surge that could affect over 1.25 million people, homes, offices and infrastructure.