News

Revolutionary Seal Development

To date, for optimised reliability, centrifugal slurry and liquor pumps have consumed significant clean filtered water to to flush the shaft seal. This is problematic in many applications. It dilutes the process, is expensive to maintain, and constantly needs attention. After extensive testing in our pump test bay, we established only partial improvements could be made to gland packing methodology, which has been used for hundreds of years as a sealing mechanism.

Mechanical and expeller seals, as well as injectable gland packing, had advantages in selective duties but were problematic in others. All had problems dissipating heat at high pressures and shaft velocities. Extensive testing highlighted challenges to further improvement. To solve the problem we had to think outside the stuffing box.

With huge progress being made in hydraulic engineering over the past decades, coupled with advances in 3D rapid prototyping and manufacturing processes, we were convinced that there was a better way to seal a centrifugal pump. Having decades of design and manufacturing seal chambers in pumps, our engineers took on the challenge.

After an in-depth analysis of the structure of each seal type, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, we came up with a blueprint for a new type of seal which combines the benefits of mechanical seals, expeller seals, gland packing and injectable packing. The outcome is revolutionary.

With extensive testing in our pump test bay, the new seal type requires no external flush, remains completely leak free, is able to handle heavy slurries, corrosive liquors, operates a few degrees above ambient temperature even with elevated pressures and shaft speeds, is safer than existing seal designs, and will be cheaper to maintain than gland packing. We’re calling it the Sandgroper, to reflect its proud Australian heritage.

The Sandgroper is designed specifically for use on centrifugal pumps in mineral refineries, but will be expanded to assist other industries.

The Sandgroper Seal has significant potential for improving the safety and efficiency of day-to-day operations.

Key benefits:

Safer than other seal alternatives – most mineral processing pumps involve some use of chemicals, such as caustic. These can be harmful to both people and the environment. No leakage means there is no accidental chemical spray from the shaft seal area. There is also no requirement for adjusting bolts near rotating shafts. The shaft seals now run cool, removing potential burn hazards.
Flush-less design, including for SLURRIES – eliminates the need to constantly flush the seal with water. This not only cuts maintenance time, but completely removes the need for water ring mains to service the pumps.
Highly efficient – torque remained constant throughout testing, resulting in reduced energy usage. It consumes less than 10% the power absorbed by other sealing methods. The low power consumption means leakage from gland packing to dump the heat is no longer needed.

On-Demand Sandgroper Trial

The Sandgroper Seal is now in the final stages of development. We are looking for interested mineral processing sites who would like to trial the seal in Australian mining applications. Pre-orders are being accepted.

For those committing to pre-orders, you will not be charged for use of the seal until we are able to publish test results, and confirm that the seal is running to expectations. If this is you, or you would like more information please submit your details in the form below.

If you are based outside of Australia, you are welcome to request more information and we will notify you when the Sandgroper Seal is released to market.

Request a Sandgroper Seal Trial

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If you have a pump question, big or small, get in touch with our team today.