Hello.
My name ist Sven Horter.
I'm the Service Product Manager for GEA
Hilge Hygienic Pumps in Bodenheim.
And as we all know, the mechanical seal
is the main part of the hygienic pumps.
And therefore, I want to show you today
some insights on
some mechanical seal issues customers or
partner sent in to my or
our hands for an investigation.
Mechanical seals get lubricated from the
product itself.
Products tend to settle down or build up
residuals on our
mechanical seals,
and the mechanical seal surfaces.
This can run into problems, especially if we
work with products
which can crystallize like salt and sugar,
which are abrasive, like Kieselgur, or
products that tend to
settle down, try out and at the end burn
into the surfaces.
These residuals around the mechanical seal,
and especially between
and on the surface of the mechanical seal,
can lead into sticking effects and damage
and break out the surface of the mechanical seal.
Also often damaging the spring of the open
mechanical seal.
Many issues occur because of improper handling during
installation, commissioning, or servicing the pump.
Especially running without flushing liquid or
not from bottom to top, using too much torque
or the wrong
grease, basic handling issues
or unbalanced shafts.
Aligning the pump shaft with a hammer while
the mechanical seal is still assembled
or testing the rotation of the pump in a wrong way.
A special pattern of damages are chemical
or physical impacts
like one concentration of the CIP media or
temperature issues which can melt
the elastomers.
The most common issue with mechanical seals is a
lack of lubrication
or dry run.
Especially in pharma applications running with
Water for Injections,
the electrical potentials may run into issues.
This effect shows white spots only on one
surface of the mechanical seal.
To solve the shown issues is always using the
right mechanical seal
with a proper lubrication or optimize
the process for cleaning conditions.
If you need any kind of support, feel free
to contact us.
