Hydraulic cylinders are designed to generate longitudinal force and handle the longitudinal load. But many of these cylinders are also impacted severely by the transverse load. The engineering rule of thumb says that about 10-15% of the hydraulic force is always applied as transverse load, even in the most ideal situation. The mechanical impact of […]
Troubleshooting Basics for Centrifugal Pump Packing
Evaluating centrifugal pump packing that has failed or reached the end of its useful life offers vital clues to help you make improvements in your next round of sealing. Failed packing can be a sign that the wrong packing is being used for the application or other possibilities ranging from excessive gland load to inadequate […]
Digging Deeper into Better Reliability for Mega Mining Hydraulic Excavators
In the world of mining, hydraulic excavators are among one of the most important engineering innovations in a new generation of ultra-large “mega” mining machinery designed to increase output and expand production. Because electric rope shovels and hydraulic excavators / shovels often serve and load as many as 8-10 mining haul trucks per day, unplanned […]
Ways to Reduce the Use of Water in Mining
A close look at sealing options available to effectively reduce or eliminate the water needed for the pump sealing element.
Heat Exchanger Gaskets: Tips for Safety & Performance
When it comes to gasket applications, heat exchangers are among the most difficult pieces of equipment to seal. These are complicated pieces of equipment that require special gasketing attention for proper safety and maximum efficiency. When you are having issues with heat exchanger gaskets, there are four major areas to consider: Heat exchanger design: Because […]
Using Gas Seals to Improve the Reliability & Energy Efficiency of Pumps
Gas seals are by no means a new technology, however more users are now effectively leveraging this once complicated and expensive solution to improve equipment reliability, move closer to ultimate efficiency, and save energy and money. A contacting wet seal has a finite life that is determined by the amount of its consumable, narrow face. By […]
Cost-Effective Ways to Control Leaking Valve Stem Seals [Part 1]
Note: As part of our series Extending the Life of Aging Fixed Plant Equipment, this post will focus on how to identify and stop leaking valve stem seals, while Part 2 will address best practices for reducing leaks in flange sealing. Coping with Older Fixed Equipment Process plants in Europe and the US are facing […]
Five Tips to Reduce Maintenance Costs for Older Hydraulic Presses
Upgrading cylinder sealing for hydraulic presses can pay off in reliability, longer asset life, and shorter repair time. It’s a common dilemma for the operators of heavy-duty hydraulic systems and press machines around the world: When large diameter cylinders become worn and/or damaged – should you invest in new cylinders or repair the existing ones? While […]
Pump Packing Materials for Worn Equipment: The Benefits of Injectable Packing
Injectable packing is an ideal pump packing material when you are looking to seal equipment with worn shafts or fretted sleeves. In this post, you’ll learn when to use this flexible packing technology and tips for implementing it. The Limits of Standard Pump Packing Braided packing is the oldest pump sealing method used in the […]
How to Gain Pump Efficiency with Restoration & Protective Coatings
In this post, you’ll learn how refurbishing and protecting worn pumps with the right high-performance coatings can restore lost pump efficiency often back to or exceeding the levels shown on the manufacturer’s pump performance curve. We’ll also talk about applying coatings to the internals of new pumps or purchasing them pre-coated, a practice that is […]