PUMPS & FILTRATION
Inbuilding pump reliability
The importance of undertaking detailed analysis of the total cost of ownership ( TCO ) of a pump has arguably never been greater . As the global focus on sustainable manufacturing practices intensifies , quantifying energy use and water consumption now carries environmental as well as financial significance . David Amory , of AESSEAL , explains how the right sealing solutions can help pump system specifiers ensure that reliability , cost-efficiency and sustainability are built into their pumps .
Pump reliability is critical to avoiding downtime and maximising productivity , and the way a pump is sealed is critical to ensuring it operates to its optimum potential .
Any company with a close eye on the bottom line wishes to avoid leakage leading to downtime , but for companies requiring a flawless surface finish the risk of product contamination presents an even greater concern . Specifying a pump presents a valuable opportunity to ‘ build in ’ reliability and eliminate this risk from the outset .
It is worth noting that components such as mechanical seals can be specified in place of original equipment manufacturer ( OEM ) seals , and that advanced sealing solutions can also be retrofitted to existing assets with minimum disruption to operations .
There are a number of products which will deliver enhanced pump reliability , ensure extremely high hygiene standards , and eliminate water and energy wastage .
Bearing isolators
Advanced non-contacting bearing isolators can be specified in place of lip seals , which are a common cause of bearing failure due to surface contact with the rotating shaft , which means they start to deteriorate almost immediately after installation .
Bearing protectors use the centrifugal force of rotating equipment to open a micro gap in the seal to allow the bearings to breathe , then immediately close the gap when the equipment stops . So the bearings and product are therefore protected from the ingress of pollutants from the surrounding environment . Their non-contacting design also reduces friction , leading to energy savings .
Water management systems
A double mechanical seal with a sustainable water management system conserves water and can radically reduce costs . These systems use an integral vessel to supply clean , cool flush water to the seal faces in a continuous loop . Water wastage is reduced to virtually nil . Savings associated with evaporation processes or water treatment / effluent charges add to those achieved through improved reliability and increased uptime .
Hygienic water vessels
With standard sealed vessels , access to the interior is extremely limited , making the clean-in-place ( CIP ) process challenging . The risk of bacteria growth leading to product contamination is high . A water vessel specifically designed to alleviate this risk is a wise choice .
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32 APRIL 2021 read online : www . surfaceworld . com