Abrasive slurries in chemical processing applications impose considerable erosive impact on seals, necessitating careful selection of seal types and materials, to both safeguard process liquid integrity and maximize seal longevity (Figure 1). Such slurries may be encountered in many applications, including mining and metals processing, water treatment, catalyst handling and more.
This article describes several key factors to consider when choosing a seal for abrasive slurries in chemical processing.
FIGURE 1. Abrasive slurries pose many processing challenges when selecting appropriate fluid-sealing technologies
Slurry solids density versus process liquid density
The density and size of solids (particles) in slurries affect the fluid behavior through turbulence modulation, changing the viscosity of the fluid. The flow of the slurry through a pump generates centrifugal forces on the solids, moving them radially outwards, with consequent separation of the solids based on a combination of density and size. The effect of slurry liquid density versus solids density on pump-seal components needs to be carefully considered — particularly as solids density and size increase.
Hardness of slurry solids
The hardness of the solids being transported in the slurry, in relation to the seal faces, needs to considered. If the solids are harder than stainless steel, for example, they will likely be harder than the carbon seal faces, resulting in excessive wear. Making the seal components and pump elements harder than the solids in the slurry is a critical design consideration.
A variety of flush plans can be applied so that the seal faces are not being affected by 100% of the abrasive slurry. Process-compatible barrier fluids can be used to minimize dilution of process liquids. To minimize flooding the seals with barrier fluids, a specialized seal-face technology be utilized. An example of such a technology may employ a spiral-groove pattern to force a low volume of clean flush liquid across the seal faces at a high pressure.
FIGURE 2. Flow velocity and pH are among the parameters to consider when choosing a seal material
Velocity of the slurry
The energies of the turning shaft and the turning seal components propel the slurry at a very high speed. When the slurry contains hard or sharp solids, the movement can be very damaging on the components of the seal assembly. In addition to making the seal components harder than the solids, the seal and seal chamber (stuffing box) can be designed to slow down this swirling vortex of solids that the seal is encountering. Such design considerations may include modifying the design of the seal gland plate hardware to interrupt the flow of these vortices.
pH of the Process Liquid
Solids being carried in a very acidic slurry may be more damaging to seals than if these same solids were carried in a neutral pH slurry. In these cases, consideration needs to be given to the seal design (Figure 2).
Secondary seal degradation
Frequently, fines from slurry solids imbed themselves in the secondary seal O-ring elastomer, causing the O-ring to fray and leak. Because of pressure and vibration, the O-ring may move by fractions of an inch back and forth at high velocity, with the fines acting like a saw cutting into the shaft.
The shaft can be protected if hardened with a carbide coating, but a better option in place of an O-ring may be a non-pusher secondary seal. Essentially, it incorporates a bellows attached to the primary ring, so that whole bellows acts to keep liquid from leaking out under the primary ring. The bellows is bigger and heavier than the O-ring, and more robust to deal with abrasive slurries. ♦
Edited by Mary Page Bailey
For more information on selecting sealing technologies, read Pump Sealing for Hazardous Materials and Looking Beyond Chemical Compatibility Charts: Matching Plastic and Elastomer Seals with Fluids