Rotary vacuum filters are used for dewatering, washing and clarification, and rely on a vacuum to suck the water content out of a slurry mixture in which a vacuum drum rotates. After dewatering is completed, a dry cake remains on a cloth-covered drum, while the clarified liquid in the drum is transported out of the drum through a series of pipes.
Vesconite Hilube wear plates have been successfully used at the interface between the vacuum drum and the exiting pipes at the client's facility.
The processor’s mechanical department maintenance coordinator informs that the 800-millimetre-diameter (31.5 inches) 25-millimetre-thick (1 inch) Vesconite Hilube wear plates need to ensure that there is an adequate seal that prevents the liquid from leaking.
They also need to have sufficient compressive strength to be secured by a trunnion plate, he says, noting that the equipment agent’s wear plates were of a much softer material and that this resulted in wear and eventual leaking.
In addition, they need to have the correct pipe exiting alignment, with 16 holes in place for some of the rotary vacuum drum designs and 14 for other of the designs.
Testing continues to verify the comparative wear life of the polyethylene wear plates and their replacement Vesconite Hilube wear plates.
The processing company’s maintenance coordinator reports that the Vesconite Hilube plates have outlasted the polyethylene plates, but the exact wear life of both the polyethylene and Vesconite Hilube wear plates is unknown.
Article re-posted with permission from Parker Hannifin Sealing & Shielding Team.
Original content can be found on Parker’s Website and was written by Alan Wiedmeyer, application engineer, Parker Engineered Polymer Systems Division.
Clipper® Oil Seals are one of the Parker Engineered Polymer Systems (EPS) Division's most widely used rotary seal products. They are an effective solution – especially when used as direct replacements for traditional metal case seals. This is a testament to their precision-molded rubber/aramid fiber heel construction which eliminates the metal case (see image above). In this blog we will review the benefits of using Clipper® seal profiles as direct replacements for metal case seals:
The composite rubber/aramid fiber heel provides a gasket-like seal for improved sealing against the bore. The surface conditions of bore housings are frequently riddled with imperfections due to damage during improper seal installation and removal, or simply due to cost sensitivity in their original manufacture. Metal can seals lack the ability to conform to such imperfections, frequently necessitating the use of supplemental gaskets or bore sealants during installation to prevent bore leakage.
The outside diameter of the flexible, composite elastomer/aramid fiber heel is slightly oversized to create a tight interference press fit. The tight fit and compression-set-resistant heel construction eliminate the necessity of compression plates for bore retention1. It’s essential to note that bore plates (shown in green) can cost as much as $100 per inch of shaft diameter because of additional part cost and added assembly time.
Clipper seals have a composite elastomer/aramid fiber heel and rubber elastomeric lip so there is no concern for rust or corrosion. The only metal component is a 302 stainless steel garter spring. The stainless spring handles higher operating temperatures and resists rust/corrosion better than carbon steel springs used in other rotary shaft seals.
Strict hygiene regulations in the food industry present major challenges for sealing technology. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies is enhancing its proven portfolio of hygienic sealing solutions with two products that are also designed for high-pressure applications. This was made possible thanks to special design solutions and the premium elastomer and PTFE materials developed in-house.
Food processing demands strict hygiene and cleanliness standards. It’s also important to ensure that no substances can migrate from the materials coming in contact with food, which could lead to contamination of the product. With its hygienic product line, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has developed sealing solutions that fulfill food industry standards and are also resistant to CIP/SIP media. The Hygienic Forseal and Hygienic Pressure Seal are the newest members of this innovative product family.
One of the basic requirements for sealing solutions in accordance with the hygienic design standards is a dead-space-free construction. It prevents the collection and settling of product residues and micro-organisms in undercuts, for example. The selection of applied materials and their resistance to hot water, steam, acids, alkalis and high pressures are also relevant. Observing the deformation at the relevant temperature plays a particularly important role in detecting distortions and the associated formation of dead spaces at an early stage in the product development.
It’s no secret that torque is a killer for metal hose. If you’ve ever attended Hose Master University, you’ve probably heard our corporate trainer’s well-known adage- “Don’t twist the hose!” Torsional stresses are something that you want to avoid completely in all metal hose assemblies. When Hose Master inspects corrugated metal hoses and looks for torsional stress, it’s typically after installation while the hose is in service. However, we should also be concerned with torsion that can happen before installation during the manufacturing process. This is referred to as residual torsional stress.
Residual torsional stress (RTS) is problematic because it accelerates fatigue to the metal, thus reducing the ultimate service life of the hose. A key indication of RTS is when a hose has a visibly twisted seam weld. Despite the issues created by RTS, it is inherent in many hose forming processes used today The only way to prevent RTS in metal hose is through avoiding the use of manufacturing methods that cause it. Let’s explore some of the ways residual torsional stress can be created during manufacturing.
So you spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars every year on sealing solutions, like gaskets. But did you know that the way you store your gaskets could affect the effectiveness or life span of your gaskets? In this blog, we offer some tips for gasket storage and shelf life which, if followed, can help ensure that your gaskets are always ready for service.
Rubber gaskets should always be stored in a cool location which is free from excessive humidity, direct sunlight, and the presence of chemical vapours or fumes. The storage location should ideally be indoors and free from exposure to the elements or inclement weather. If the storage guidelines given below are followed, rubber gaskets or gasketed components have the following expected shelf life:
Sunlight and strong artificial light can degrade some gasket materials. For this reason, rubber gaskets should be stored in cartons or opaque bags which prevent direct exposure to light.
Very moist or excessively dry conditions in a storage location should be avoided. Relative humidity levels below 75% are recommended for most rubber gaskets. Similarly, very low humidity levels which can cause some materials to dry out and become brittle should also be avoided.