Product category:
Couplings, Seals, Gaskets
News Release from: Meco Shaft Seals | Subject: MECO seals
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 15 August 2003
Split seals eliminate caramelizing
around shafts
All processors of sugar and products containing sugar are familiar with the problem: the sugar in the process abrades the turning shaft and the packing in the stuffing box
All processors of sugar and products containing sugar are familiar with the problem: the sugar in the process abrades the turning shaft and the packing in the stuffing box The friction of this abrasion raises the temperature to a point at which the sugar caramelizes
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 23 Apr 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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The temperature of the caramel rises exponentially with continued friction, sometimes to the point of ignition.
If it doesn't burn off, it just turns to concrete when it cools.
This overheating and caramelizing problem creates product discoloration in white sugar.
The packing gland seal used to be the only type of seal available for sugar processing equipment, such as conveyors and white pan mixers.
Another common problem with this type of seal is that bits of the teflon packing or caramelized sugar enter the process.
The high cost of wasted product makes this a problem worthy of every CEO's attention.
Many leading sugar processors have found that the solution to the problem lies in converting the shaft seals on their machines from traditional packing glands to MECO air-purged mechanical shaft seals.
The seals have proven to operate with ZERO LEAKAGE, in many cases for periods exceeding 1-1/2 years.
Some plants have set up a continuous replacement program so that they eventually replace all their packing glands with MECO seals.
The patented MECO concept is based on the use of a driving elastomer; there are no internal springs to loosen, corrode or break.
Since this self-compensating driving elastomer is the only interface with the shaft, the seals will accommodate significant radial and angular shaft misalignment and shock loads, as well as thermal growth in high-temperature process machinery.
MECO seals are custom-designed and manufactured to each application, and can retrofit most process equipment such as dryers, white pan mixers, conveyors, etc MECO incorporates runout/misalignment capacity into its seal designs, so worn or even bent shafts present no problem.
Unlike traditional mechanical seals, MECO seal faces are soft, fault-tolerant and almost impossible to break.
Seals are available either unsplit or fully-split, to permit installation without drive or bearing removal. Request a free brochure from Meco Shaft Seals ...
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