PHEs play a vital role in thermal management within the Energy & Utilities sector. Their applications include cooling spent nuclear fuel elements, cooling gases and electrolytes in electrolysis plants for hydrogen production, and crucially, heat recovery from waste streams to improve energy efficiency. They are also used in HVAC systems for buildings, and in various renewable energy systems like solar thermal and geothermal. Operational conditions in this sector often involve high pressures and temperatures, with steam and hot water loops reaching up to 150°C or more. The units must handle high flow rates and significant heat loads. They are also used in applications involving oils, requiring gaskets that can resist petroleum fluids.

The selection of gasket material in the Energy & Utilities sector depends on the specific application requirements, particularly temperature and fluid type. EPDM is a common choice for hot water, steam, and certain chemicals, making it suitable for HVAC and lower-temperature utility uses. High-temperature EPDM variants are available for more demanding conditions. NBR is frequently used for applications involving oil and water-based fluids, such as cooling and general utility services. Viton (FKM) is selected for its excellent resistance to high temperatures (up to 180-200°C) and a broad range of corrosive chemicals, making it appropriate for more demanding applications in power generation and chemical processing within the energy sector. For very high-temperature and pressure applications, flexible graphite gaskets, often combined with metal gaskets, are used for robust sealing. Oxidation-inhibited graphite is employed in extreme temperature scenarios. HNBR can bridge the gap between NBR and Viton for applications involving higher temperatures and aggressive fluids.