The composites have been used to replace metals in the manufacture of pump parts subject to intense wear, resulting in enhanced process reliability, greater energy efficiency and cost savings.
Pump parts
Most heavy industrial pumps are fitted with sets of replaceable components subject to wear, such as bushings, case and impeller wear rings. These parts are designed to support the pump rotor and offer protection to the shaft, impellers and pump casing by absorbing wear.
Wear rings also act as internal seals and, to prevent frictional contact, maintain a gap between the impeller and pump casing. It is essential to keep this gap or clearance at an optimum value to improve efficiency.
Traditionally, bushings and wear rings have been made from metals such as bronze, stainless steel and cast iron, but CREACOMP PT (Pump Type) composite materials, available in four grades, can now be used as a metal replacement.
Composite benefits
CREATEC GmbH & Co KG, based in Friedrichshafen, Germany, has demonstrated that a significant gain in energy efficiency and cost savings when composite wear rings are used in pumps.
The gain in efficiency of a typical multistage process pump is 4-5% when clearance is reduced by 50%. A test of an upgraded six-stage process pump revealed an improvement in efficiency from 82.5% to 87%, reducing the cost of electrical power consumption by $105 000 per year.
PEEK
VICTREX PEEK from Victrex Polymer Solutions, is a high performance thermoplastic polymer. It has excellent frictional and wear properties, with superior resistance to a wide range of aggressive chemical environments.
CREATEC GmbH & Co KG specialises in high performance composite and sealing technologies, supporting the pump, chemical and medical industries.