Skip to content
Seal Connect is your source for all things sealing, maintenance and reliability.
  • Seal Connect Home
  • Blog
  • Topics
    • Agitators
    • Blowers & Fans
    • Centrifuges
    • Digesters
    • Extruders
    • Gearboxes
    • Mixers & Blenders
    • Motors
    • Paper Machine Rolls
    • Pumps
    • Rotating Equipment
    • Valves
  • SEPCO Home
  • Seal Connect Home
  • Blog
  • Topics:
  • SEPCO Home
  • SEPCO Home
SEAL CONNECT
MENU
CASE STUDY

Case Study: Implementing Advanced Sealing Solutions at an Alabama-based Pulp & Paper Mill

The collaboration between this Alabama-based mill and SEPCO exemplifies the importance of tailored sealing solutions in demanding industrial environments.
by Chuck Tanner


Background:

An Alabama-based pulp and paper mill specializes in producing premium-grade recycled paper. The mill’s operations involve several applications, each requiring specialized pumps.

Challenge:

During the brown stock washing stages, the mill faced recurrent seal failures in its centrifugal pumps. The high temperature, combined with the abrasive nature of the pulp and the caustic chemicals, led to rapid wear of the seal faces. The MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) for the seals was averaging just 3 months.

Technical Assessment:
A thorough analysis by SEPCO revealed:

  • Seal face materials were not optimal for the abrasive and caustic environment.
  • The single seal design was inadequate for the high-temperature, high-pressure conditions.
  • Lack of proper flush plans led to seal faces running dry, causing overheating and premature wear.

Solution:

 

Material Upgrade:

  • Seal faces were changed to a balanced, stationary design with a combination of reaction-bonded silicon carbide (RB SiC) against tungsten carbide (WC). This combination offers excellent resistance to wear and thermal shock.

Dual Mechanical Seals:

  • A cartridge-type dual mechanical seal was introduced. The design ensured that the inboard seal operated in a controlled environment, isolated from the abrasive media.
  • The outboard seal acted as a backup, preventing any potential leakage to the environment.

API Flush Plans:

  • An API Plan 53B was implemented using a pressurized barrier fluid system. The barrier fluid, a compatible heat transfer oil, provided cooling and lubrication to the seal faces, ensuring they never ran dry.
  • A thermosiphon effect was utilized, with a heat exchanger cooling the barrier fluid, maintaining it at an optimal temperature.

Technical Training:

  • SEPCO provided hands-on training for the mill’s maintenance team, focusing on the installation, monitoring, and maintenance of the new sealing system.

Implementation:

The mill’s pumps were retrofitted with the new sealing solutions during a scheduled shutdown. Real-time monitoring systems were also installed to track seal performance and barrier fluid conditions.

Outcome:

  • The MTBF for the seals increased to over 18 months, a six-fold improvement.
  • Real-time monitoring allowed for predictive maintenance, further reducing unplanned downtimes.
  • The barrier fluid system, combined with the dual seal design, ensured zero leakage, aligning with the mill’s environmental sustainability goals.

Conclusion:

The collaboration between this Alabama-based mill and SEPCO exemplifies the importance of tailored sealing solutions in demanding industrial environments. By leveraging advanced materials, design, and support systems, The mill achieved significant operational and environmental milestones.

Looking for a Sealing Solutions Provider?

SEPCO has sealing solutions for many applications, even those with the strictest standards and the most challenging environments. We have decades of experience in providing solutions across multiple industries. We can help.

Share this:
About the Author
Chuck Tanner is director of market development for Sealing Equipment Products Co., Inc. (SEPCO). He has more than 30 years of experience in the pulp and paper industry. Tanner can be reached at chuckt@sepco.com.

 
Articles & Media Mentions

Sealing vertical turbine pumps & supporting their shafts
Reliable Pump and Valve Packing
3 Ways to Embark on the PdM Journey 
Inspecting Equipment for Packing Reliability
Podcast: How to Choose the Correct Seal Type

Read more from this author

Connect

From the Blog

  • Transforming Pulp and Paper: Strategies for Reliability, Profitability, and Sustainability 05/14/2025
  • Your Go-To Checklist for Installing Mechanical Split Seals 05/08/2025
  • Optimizing Centrifugal Pump Efficiency: Smart Strategies for Energy Savings and Performance 04/15/2025
  • The SEPCO Guide to Measuring for Mechanical Seal Replacement and Reading Dial Calipers 03/12/2025
  • Enhancing Equipment Longevity with SEPCO Bearing Isolators 03/03/2025

Related Articles

Mixers & Blenders
Managing the Difficult-to-Seal
Air seals effectively seal powders and solids, require no maintenance or flushing.
Pumps
Why Do Mechanical Seals Fail?
Rotating Equipment
Mechanical Seal Reliability: Application, Installation, and Operation

Stay Informed

Our monthly newsletter comes packed with useful industry information and resources.

Sign up

Subscribe Now!
© SEPCO, Inc. All rights reserved.
205.403.7500

Find Your Sealing Solution

Every SEPCO product or service is fully customizable to your needs.
Contact an Expert for details — 205.403.7500
Select either critera, or both.
OR
The value of this field will override other options. CLEAR FIELD
View Results

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Subscribe today to the Seal Connect newsletter. Each month, you will receive solutions to tough industrial sealing issues, including sealing powders and slurries, ensuring stuffing box reliability, maintaining lubrication reliability, and preventing bearing failure.

We use cookies to ensure you the best experience on our website. Continued use of this site implies acceptance.Ok