A South African company is preventing dust from escaping into the working environment and is saving thousands of dollars a year in the cost of repairs following its decision to equip its Möller pump with the AESSEAL® LabTecta® bearing protector.
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By Arno Nieuwenhuis
How did the initial contact with the company come about?
In fact this was an existing customer, so they already knew all about us. The company is one of the largest lime producers in the southern hemisphere, and we had been supplying them with a number of our products, so they were well aware of their quality and of the level of service we provide.
What was the problem with their existing system?
They were using a pump where the OEM sealing arrangement had packing in the stuffing box. This was not an effective system. The lime powder is very fine, with a consistency similar to talcum powder, and it was leaking out of the pump, causing dust pollution and loss of product.
Were they already aware of the LabTecta bearing protectors?
They weren’t aware of our bearing protectors until I suggested them as a possible solution. I explained to them that the LabTecta IAP is specifically designed for applications such as powder handling equipment, and that it uses labyrinth technology to direct the air purge inboard, which prevents the product from leaking and polluting the surrounding environment. They were very receptive to the idea once I had explained how the system worked and how effective it would be. They had been trying to find a remedy for this problem for some time, and they understood immediately that this was the solution they’d been looking for.
Who carried out the installation?
I did all the measuring and installed it as soon as it arrived from our plant in the UK. It was delivered just two weeks after the issuing of the DRG. The installation went very smoothly and the customer realized immediately that the product was very effective and that it was doing exactly the job they had hoped it would do, preventing leaks and product loss and eliminating the problem of air pollution. They were very pleased with the result, so much so that it was featured in their monthly newsletter.
What kind of after-sales service do you provide?
I visit the site frequently to supply the company with packing and expansion joints. I also visit the control room to check that the pump is working efficiently.
Can you give an update on any cost savings or efficiency gains?
The main advantages of the new system are the huge savings on repairs and maintenance. In addition there is no loss of product and no pollution, which means that the company’s employees no longer have to constantly clean the area around the pump.
Has this project led to further contracts with this company, or with other companies which may have learned about AESSEAL as a result?
The company which originally ordered the product has since been sold. But a measure of how successful the IAP LabTecta has been is that the new owners are still using it and are still buying other AESSEAL products such as packing and expansion joints.
