how to remove agitator seal types

how to remove agitator seal types

From mixing paints through to churning pharmaceutical ingredients, agitators fulfil important roles in many industrial processes. Since it prevents leaking of material and keeps material from transforming, the seal is the single most important element of an agitator's performance. But eliminating these seals when maintenance or replacement is needed is challenging. Here, we explore the various types of agitator seals, as well as instructions for how to remove them, in this complete guide to ensuring the wheels of your operations keep turning efficiently.

Understanding Agitator Seals

Before we begin to remove it we need to know about the different kinds of seals for the agitator. The seals in machine technology are further classified as mechanical seals, lip seals, or packing seals.

The most common type of mechanical seals can be applied to a greater variety of fluids and high temperature and pressure levels. They consist of one rotating face, a stationary face, a second face that seals, and a spring mechanism that force the two faces against one another.

Lip seals (also called radial shaft seals) are typically found in lower pressure scenarios. Now the shaft seals have metal casing, and with one elastomeric sealing lip bound to the shaft.

Packing Seal· This is the oldest type of seal, which uses soft, pliable materials that get packed around the shaft, forming a labyrinth seal as the shaft rotates.

Safety First

Be careful not to compromise the agitator seal Removing an agitator seal is important to what you are trying to accomplish. LOTO (Lockout-tagout) gear for security. Use correct personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves and eye goggles, and make sure you know Material Safety Data Sheets for the chemicals that could be there.

Preparation is Key

Proper preparation will allow you to plan for the gap between smooth sailing and repair hell. Prepare your tools and have that new seal nearby. Your surroundings must be warm enough and well lit, and with any paperwork (the service manual, for example) you will need at hand.

Removing Mechanical Seals

Removing mechanical seals requires a steady hand from an operator. Loosen the set screws or gland bolts that secure the seal. When you have to take out a seal, gently walk the seal assembly off of the shaft making sure that you're not scoring the shaft or the seal faces. If the seal is stuck, tap gently with a rubber mallet. Avoid applying too much force directly on the seal parts and using metal tools that can cause damage.

Removing Lip Seals

Lip seals can be pulled using a seal puller or flat-head screwdriver. Place the tool under the edge of the seal and carefully pop it out of its socket. If you do that guarantees that you'll have leaks when the new seal is placed into service, so take care not to scratch or nick the shaft, or bore.

Removing Packing Seals

Soak the area between the packing nuts and use a packing extraction tool, or needle-nose pliers, to remove the old packing, Clear packing material and clean the stuffing box. If the shaft is worn or scored, it can compromise the effectiveness of a new seal so make sure to check.

Installation Tips

REMOVING OLD SEAL IS RELATIVELY SIMPLE, INSTALLING THE NEW REQUIRES ATTENTION. 30Mechanical Seal Clean faces, non-interfering Clean faces and non interfering on mechanical sealsApply a film of lubricant to shaft, if the manufacture suggests, and slide seal on shaft and clamp firmly with set screws or gland bolts.

To assist the installation, lip seals are slightly lubricated on the seal and additionally the shaft using a suitable product. Be sure to press the new seal in square and don't cock it, hammer the seal into place using a seal driver tool.

When repacking a stuffing box, the same grade of packing material is usually installed as was in the first place. Cut the packing to lengths closely matching the shaft and stagger joints as you load them into the stuffing box. Make bleat nuts hence and help the fabric.

Conclusion

Which means, the process of removing the agitator seal is a very important one that while complicated still is simple-to-do if you have the correct information, and the right tools. Your safety is paramount, therefore be sure to implement a lockout/tagout process, and always wear personal protective equipment (PPE). Using the right tools and having a well-lit, organized workspace will prevent catastrophe.

You need to be careful though, to how the agitator functions, you got seals. But whatever the type, whether it be competent mechanical seals, flexible lip seals or plain packing, as an engineer you should have a clear idea of what the design is capable and what are the properties of the various materials that will allow it to work. I mean, your process outputs are only as good as your seals, after all. Keep in mind that time spent properly removing and installing new seals is well spent and worthwhile when taking into consideration everything it brings to the table with regard to: equipment performance; increased production line maximum uptime and reliability. Just remember, a well-maintained seal = your agitator working at full power when you need it, so take the time to do it properly.