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by: Anna Claire Howard
06/24/2020

Industry Podcast Discusses Pulp and Paper Sealing Reliability



SEPCO’s own director of market development, Chuck Tanner, recently spoke with James Kovacevic at Eruditio for a new episode of the “Rooted in Reliability” podcast. During their chat, they discussed the benefits of fluid sealing reliability in the pulp and paper industry.

Because of the 25 years of experience under Chuck’s belt, he was the ideal industry professional to discuss sealing challenges and solutions within this industry.

Among the topics covered in this conversation are:

  • What is sealing?
  • Why is pulp and paper sealing hard?
  • How do we overcome contamination?
  • Do successful organizations have good maintenance programs for seals to improve reliability?
  • What does a typical pulp and paper facility get out of a seal set?
  • Is the air sealing technology suitable for slurry sealing systems?

What Is Fluid Sealing?

Using a device, sealing prevents some fluid or gas from reaching the atmosphere. Further, seals are very important for containing machine fluids and keeping them from contamination. Effective fluid sealing provides a mechanical device to control leakage between two joining surfaces. Gaskets seal stationary surfaces. In the same vein, dynamic surfaces use a device to seal two moving objects.

How Can the Pulp and Paper Industry Benefit from Effective Sealing Methods?

The predominant process sealed in the pulp and paper industry is slurries. As a result, there are many slurry types within a pulp and paper production facility, including white, black, and green liquors. Alternately, others sealed are the actual fiber slurries or paper stock slurries.

However, slurries in fluid sealing don’t provide a lubricating film between dynamic and stationary surfaces. Unfortunately, because slurries are slurries are very abrasive, they may damage sleeves and seal faces.

In conclusion, you can learn more by reading the full Q&A and listening to the conversation here.

About the Author
Anna Claire Howard is a contributing writer, editor, and content marketing specialist for Sealing Equipment Products Co. Inc. (SEPCO) and has been since Spring 2019. Before those two big life changes, she was the content marketing specialist for Fluke Accelix; assistant editor for Grand View Outdoors, publisher of Bowhunting World, Predator Xtreme, Whitetail Journal, Tactical Retailer, and Shooting Sports Retailer; managing editor for Media Solutions, Inc., publisher of Gear Solutions, Wind Systems, and Thermal Processing magazines; assistant editor for MSI; and the editorial intern for B.A.S.S., LLC, publisher of Bassmaster Magazine and Bassmaster.com. In these B2B/B2C roles, Anna Claire developed an appreciation for the industrial sector, as well as the operators and technicians who make up the workforce. You can find her on LinkedIn at bit.ly/ACHowardLI.

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