Controlling the environment surrounding a seal is the single best way to extend the life of that seal. In Part 3 of our series on Double/Dual Mechanical Seals we take a look at the best piping plans/support systems to put in place to increase seal/equipment reliability and reduce energy/water costs. For any mechanical seal to perform […]
Flange Sealing: Best Practices for Maintaining Aging Equipment
Part 2 of our series Extending the Life of Aging Fixed Plant Equipment, this post focuses on techniques and practices to reduce flange leaks and extend equipment life. Proper gasket seating stress is important to generate the pressure drop required in sealing a flange reliably. This gasket stress needs to stay between a certain minimum and […]
The Benefits of Wear Rings on Hydraulic Cylinder Life & Reliability
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 […]
Understanding the Basics of Food-Grade Grease Selection
What is a Food-Grade Grease? Greases used to lubricate machinery in Food/Beverage/Pharmaceutical production are governed by special rules to protect product purity, health, and safety. Unlike standard industrial lubricants, the design of food-grade grease and oil must follow strict guidelines for chemical composition established by the FDA under title 21CFR Part 178.3570 “Lubricants with Incidental […]
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 […]
Reducing the Impact of Abrasion in Coal Processing
Coal processing involves transporting coal in various stages as bulk coal is refined into fine particular coal suitable for burning. The impact on equipment can be significant. Ever-persistent abrasion and wear takes a major toll on pulverizers, conveyors, chutes, screws, and other equipment. It can ultimately cause unexpected, costly downtime and/or greatly reduced equipment life. […]