Pump Up Productivity at Your Plant!
Overview
For chemical manufacturers, pump failure leads to costly production downtime, as pumps are critical for moving chemicals through the manufacturing process. If a pump fails, entire production lines may come to a halt. Pump failure can also pave the way for future issues, such as damage to seals, valves and tanks — resulting in more extensive and costly repairs.
When a major chemical manufacturer experienced repeat shutdowns at their facility due to railcar unloading pump seals that frequently failed as a result of crystallization that formed when the product hit atmosphere, they reached out to Expert Gasket & Seal for solutions that would prevent hazardous spillage and monthly pump failure.
Solution
After carefully assessing the issue, Expert Gasket & Seal contacted longtime seal supplier, Advanced Sealing International for their insight. They suggested using a single cartridge seal with a quench gland. Grease was then added to the quench gland and sealed on both ends to prevent product from reaching the atmosphere. The grease continued to be changed on a regular basis to eject the spent material and add fresh material to stop crystallization.
Results
This solution has allowed the chemical manufacturer’s railcar unloading pump, once failing monthly because of the seal issue, to run consistently with no issues for over a year. With the problem identified and the new seal solution in place, the manufacturer has eliminated pump downtime and potential spillage, enhancing both productivity and safety.