Liquidyne® seal vs gland packing

Pump shaft seal failure is one of the most common reasons for pump downtime. That’s why you want a reliable pump seal which ensures optimal operation hours and keeps going. In this blog we compare two types of pump seals: gland packing and the Liquidyne® seal.

Gland packing

Gland packing seals have been the default sealing method for many years. Rope-like material is wrapped around the shaft of a pump and compress the package which minimizes fluid loss. Gland packing is a basic and cheap solution, but over time the fluid loss will increase and the material starts to wear down. Checking the gland packing usually happens while the shaft is rotating, which is not in compliance with the SHEQ rules.

Liquidyne® seal

Released in 1983, the Liquidyne pump shaft seal was initially intended for heavy-duty dredge pumps and is the next step for gland packing and the alternative for a mechanical seal. Thanks to its robust design, the seal can handle above-average axial and radial play. It is suitable for pumps that have to deal with severe shocks and vibrations, incorrect alignment, and abrasive media. The Liquidyne increases the pump’s lifetime and leads to a longer mean time between maintenance (MTBM) thanks to its robustness. Condition monitoring adds predictability and secure operation.

Liquidyne vs gland packing

Compared with gland packing, the Liquidyne seal is the next step for your operation and offers the following advantages:

Predictable lifetime

The Liquidyne offers a simple yet effective way of Condition monitoring using the drain flow. This means you can verify the seal condition at any time and also predict the remaining lifetime of the seal. This optimizes the mean time between maintenance, minimises the risk of sudden pump failure, and minimises the total cost of ownership. The Liquidyne makes Condition monitoring easy.

Energy savings

When comparing the Liquidyne seal to a gland packing, the Liquidyne seal has less power consumption. Gland packing uses compression against the shaft as a means to seal, while the Liquidyne seal uses a lubrication film between the lip seals and shaft sleeve. This ensures the lowest possible friction and minimal heat development, minimising energy consumption and saving costs.

Safe workplace

The drain line of the Liquidyne seal keeps the factory floor dry, as no water sprays from the seal are needed to lubricate the seal. This ensures a clean, dry, and a non-slippery factory floor, keeping your workers safe. As no adjustments have to made to the seal during operations, factory personnel do not have to come close to any rotating elements – this avoids any unnecessary risks.

Easy to maintain

Once the Liquidyne is installed, the only task required during operation is to check the flow from the Liquidyne drain as a means of condition monitoring. The Liquidyne does not need to be adjusted during the operation of the seal, keeping your pump safely running.

Main advantages

• Condition monitoring ensures you can plan maintenance efficiently, optimize MTBM, reduce costs, and minimize the risk of sudden pump failure
• Energy savings due to less friction and minimized heat development
• Safe workplace – the floor is kept dry, and no adjustments are required during operation
• Easy to maintain – no other tasks required besides condition monitoring

Contact

In the world of centrifugal pumps, we want people to feel safe, secure and empowered, so you can drive your operation to the limit and beyond with Peace of Mind. Do you want to know more about how the Liquidyne can add value to your (pump) operation? Contact our expert Eric de Paauw!