ProBrewer.com

An Online Resource Serving The Beer Industry

  • News
    • News From The Breweries
    • Specialty Industry News
    • Major Brand News
    • Legislative & Regulatory
    • Distribution & Retail
    • Quarterly Financial Reports
    • International
    • Commentary
    • General News
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Essential Virtual Resources for the Brewing Industry
    • Virtual Brewing Conference Guide
  • Classified Ads
    • Latest Ads
    • Ads By Category
    • Help Wanted / For Hire
    • Search Ads
    • Post Classified Ad
    • Post Catalog Ad
    • About Classified Ads
  • Jobs
  • Discussion
  • Library
    • Archives
    • Brewery Floors
    • Brewstillery
    • Distilling
    • Distribution
    • ‘DIY’ floor coating
    • Electric Brewing
    • Filtration
    • Hops
    • Kegs
    • Keg Washers
    • Malt
    • Malt handling
    • Nano Breweries
    • Packaging
    • Pumps
    • Refrigeration
    • Shipping
    • Stupid Stuff
    • Turnkey
    • Used Tanks
    • Water
    • Yeast
  • Tools
    • IBU Calculator
    • Beer Specifications
    • Water Chemistry
  • Advertise
    • Advertise & Sponsorship on ProBrewer
    • ProBrewer Advertisers
  • Allied Trade Directory
    • Search Allied Trade Directory
    • Your Companies
    • Submit New Allied Trade Company
  • Login / Register
    • Login to ProBrewer
    • Discussions Login
    • Register
    • Password Reset
You are here: Home / Library / Pumps / Pump components and seals

Pump components and seals

The main components in a pump are the casing, impeller, backing plate, shaft and shaft seal, and the motor adapter. Some pumps have the backing plate as part of the casing in which case you would have a removable cover.

pumps-d6

Shaft seals

The shaft seals are a critical part of the pump and selecting the right seal is an important step. Old pumps used to be fitted with a packing gland or stuffing box with rows of woven fabric packing that were “stuffed in and tightened on the shaft to make a seal, the same as you would see on a shaft of a ships propeller. This is certainly not a clean or acceptable solution for a brewery.

pumps-stuffing

Now almost all of the pumps have a mechanical seal set up. With a mechanical seal you have a rotating seal which is sealed to and rotates with the pump shaft and a stationary seat the rotating seal rubs against. The rotating seals are usually made of carbon but they are also available I other materials such as Teflon, ceramic and silicone carbide and the stationary seats are usually stainless steel, ceramic or silicone carbide. The rotating seal can be an internal seal in which case it is inside the pump housing and submerged in the liquid or external to the casing behind the pump head.

pumps-External
EXTERNAL SEAL

pumps-Internal
INTERNAL SEAL

The big advantage of the external seal is that there are a lot less parts in the product area of the pump and as such it is much easier to clean, an important feature in a brewery application. The example shown for the external seal is a simple “D” style single mechanical seal with a carbon seal which runs directly on the stainless steel back plate.

There are upgrades to this such as:

TYPE “DG” seal has a clamped in ceramic stationary seat

pumps-DGSeal

This long lasting seal utilizes the standard “D” type rotating components but has an added stationary seal of ceramic, silicon carbide or tungsten carbide for added wear resistance.

TYPE “F” seal has and added water cascade to clean and cool the seal.
(Shown in the “Common Parts of a centrifugal pump” pictured above)

The flush helps to clean and cool the seal and will extend the life of the seal, especially in applications with high temperatures and abrasive or sticky products.

TYPE “E” seal is a double mechanical seal with a full water flush

pumps-ESeal

The seal assembly is complete in cased in its own seal chamber and is flushed with pressurized water. This seal is idea for slurries, heavy vacuum applications, or extremely hot or tacky products. This would be a good seal for pumping maple syrup or honey for instance.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Pocket
  • Email
Types of pumps
Sizing your pump
Pump components and seals
Pumps Q&A

Join the ProBrewer mailing list

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy

Connect With @ProBrewerPage

 Instagram    Facebook    Twitter

Go Somewhere Else

News • Classifieds • Help Wanted / For Hire • Discussion • Library • Contact • Advertise • Contact Details • Help

Copyright © 2021 · RealBeer Media · Privacy Policy · Terms and Conditions

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.