How to Fight Leakage & Bearing Contamination with the Right Sealing Solution

The drive for operational efficiency, optimization of assets and adherence to the International Standards Organization (ISO) 14001 Standard for environmental management systems and ISO-50001 standard for energy management systems must always be balanced against the bottom line. However, it is fair to say in some cases this can lead to short-sightedness when it comes to selecting sealing solutions, with lower cost at point of purchase taking precedence over total cost of ownership. Mechanical seals have been on the market for around 80 years, and while pump design has remained largely unaltered, sealing technology has evolved over time. This has resulted in advances in reliability, operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Traditional sealing options like gland packed seals and lip seals are traditional for a reason. These products are comparatively inexpensive when taking the purchase price into account, and work well in many applications. This article will take a look at the differences between mechanical seals, gland packed seals and lip seals.

Excessive Wear

Leakage, product loss and bearing contamination that leads to premature failure are three common issues with traditional seals. There is no reason why bearings should not last for their full predicted lifespan, which is typically calculated at roughly 15,250 operational hours. Leakage caused by inefficient sealing is the simple reason why they do not last. With research showing that water contamination of just 0.002 percent—a single drop—in a bearings chamber can reduce bearing life by almost half, it is easy to see why bearing failure is one of the most frequent causes of pump malfunction. The cost of regularly replacing damaged seals and bearings accumulates over time and can escalate if the pump shaft suffers wear damage and must be repaired or replaced. Another key cost, which is often overlooked, is the number of hours demanded to maintain, repair and replace these components.

Guaranteed ROI

A shrewd purchaser wishing to guarantee a good return on investment (ROI) compares different types of seals to determine what is best for their system and application. Dual mechanical seals are one choice. Mechanical seals operate best with a seal support system, which recycles the flush water required to keep seal faces cool and lubricated via a continuous loop system. The initial outlay will be higher but this will be offset by a number of cost-saving benefits:

• No direct contact with the pump shaft means it is not exposed to possible damage. Leakage beyond accepted industry norms is virtually eliminated and so is the premature seal failure that leads to product loss, bearing contamination, equipment breakdown and repeat repurchasing of parts.
• Mean time between failure (MTBF) is improved and unscheduled downtime is less likely.
• Dual mechanical seals can be retrofitted onto assets and require virtually no ongoing maintenance.

Environmental & Cost Advantages

The pressure on companies to reduce the impact of their operations on the environment has never been greater. The advantages of including a seal support system that recycles flush water are significant both financially and environmentally. Most seals require cool, clean liquid to provide lubrication and prevent overheating and dry running. This is often injected from an external source, and the majority of it can go to waste, either flowing down the drain or evaporating off at the end of the cycle. In a typical application, where water is measured for one minute, around 1.6 to 3.17 gallons of flush water is required. In continuous operation, that amounts to roughly 0.8 to 1.6 million gallons per year for each seal (or pump). Add up the number of pumps involved to calculate the scale of waste. Continuous loop water management systems employ a thermosiphon process to supply flush water to the barrier space between the double seals at a pressure higher than the product pressure, ensuring a consistent, stable and clean fluid film. As mechanical seals generate heat, the hot water in the barrier space rises to the tank and the heat is radiated to the atmosphere, allowing the cooler, denser water to sink back down to provide cool lubrication to the seal faces. While a typical flush-to-drain system used to flush gland or single seals consumes 1.6 to 3.2 gallons of water per minute, this constantly recycled flow of water can reduce water loss to roughly one teaspoonful a day, in the form of vapor. The energy savings that result from not having to heat and cool the flush water, as required in traditional flush to drain systems, deserve closer consideration. For example, one paper mill reduced energy use by 50,000 British thermal units (MMBtu) per year, leading to savings of more than $500,000 and an ROI of less than four months, simply by reducing the amount of water that needed to be evaporated off. A sugar refinery saved more than 5,944 cubic meters (m³) per year of water and reduced gas usage by 594,432 m³, saving $230,000 over that period. Other savings to bear in mind include effluent charges for discarded water.

Conclusion

The swift ROI and ongoing savings offered by mechanical seals and their support systems are a powerful argument for purchasers. And when the environmental benefits are also taken into account, both fiscal wisdom and commitment to sustainable practices are accounted for.