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General questions |
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Does the SpiralTrac rotate?
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Our equipment's shaft moves
axially. Will this affect SpiralTrac's operation?
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How do I know which material to
specify when ordering SpiralTrac?
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EnviroSeal offers SpiralTrac in a number of
materials: ESC (carbon-ceramic filled PTFE), GLF (glass-filled
PTFE), 416 & 316 stainless steel, bronze, and titanium. The
material selection depends on the application and is normally
made by the customer to fit the required needs. Often, the
SpiralTrac is constructed of the same material as the pump, and
since it is a machined product, it can be made from just about
any machineable material. Consult EnviroSeal to determine which
is best suited for your application.
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Can a SpiralTrac be used with
Latex or Paint?
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Generally, a SpiralTrac cannot be used for most
latex compounds or latex based paint because the exit groove
would be blocked by the material, and the functionality of the
SpiralTrac would be degraded as a result.
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Can a SpiralTrac be used
with a dry powder?
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Where should the SpiralTrac not
be used?
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SpiralTrac should not be used in any
application where the process is at or near vapor margin.
In this situation, any increase in temperature or decrease in
pressure could cause flashing. Depending on the process,
SpiralTrac may slightly change this condition, and we don't
recommend taking the risk.
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How do I determine the rotation
of the SpiralTracs required in my double-ended pump?
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What is the maximum process
temperature that an ESC/GLF SpiralTrac will handle?
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What is the largest-sized
contaminant that SpiralTrac can handle?
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The radial clearance between the shaft and
inside diameter of the SpiralTrac is
0.020"-0.040" / 0.51mm -1.02mm. Upon flooding of the pump,
contaminants larger than this size cannot enter the seal
cavity. Contaminants this size or smaller that do enter
the seal cavity are easily removed by SpiralTrac. Should a
larger piece of contaminant enter the seal cavity through the
flush port, the SpiralTrac will attempt to remove it. This
larger contaminant will be crushed to a smaller size between the
shaft and SpiralTrac, resulting in complete removal through the
exit groove.
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What is the largest diameter
SpiralTrac available?
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Version N/D/C Questions |
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What Types are
Version C available in?
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What Types are
Version D available in?
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What is the
difference between the Version D and Version N?
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The Version D and Version N are both used in
mechanical seal applications and are installed similarly:
however, they differ in the length of the devices and the
applications that they are used in.
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The Version N SpiralTrac is designed to be used
in applications where non-fibrous particles such as silt, sand,
etc. are typical. Particles of this type separate based on
density: thus, heavier particles centrifuge to the bore where
the SpiralTrac collects them and moves them out of the seal
cavity into the process and away from the seal.
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The Version D has a double spiral and is
therefore longer than the Version N. It was designed for
applications where the product is fibrous, such as pulp,
corn mash and municipal wastewater applications. The double spiral provides
greater capacity to move material out of the seal cavity. A
Version D used in an application with non-fibrous particles
could prematurely erode the pump and seal as a result of this
increased movement of abrasive material. If you are unsure
whether you should use a Version N or Version D, please contact
EnviroSeal for assistance.
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My equipment uses a unique
mechanical seal design. Can SpiralTrac be used with it ?
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Can SpiralTrac be used with
double mechanical seals?
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Absolutely! The problems associated with
air and solids in the cavity are the same with double seals as
they are with single seals. Double seals are expensive,
and using SpiralTrac is an excellent, low-cost way of protecting
your investment!
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Should I be using hard faces or
soft faces on my mechanical seal when I have a SpiralTrac installed?
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How do I tell if my SpiralTrac
(seal version) is installed correctly?
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The spiral groove always faces the seal and
should spiral in the direction of rotation from the bore towards
the shaft. This will be either clockwise (right-hand rotation)
or counterclockwise (left-hand rotation) as viewed from the
bearing end (typically, ANSI/ISO is clockwise, API is
counterclockwise);
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The part number is engraved on the impeller end
of the SpiralTrac;
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There is an installation label indicating the
direction of rotation (which should be removed prior to
installation!); and,
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For SpiralTrac Versions D and N (with an
integral air vent), the air vent must be in the 12
o'clock position.
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Double-ended pumps:
There should be one left-hand rotation device and one right-hand
rotation device (either packing or mechanical seal versions). Direction
of rotation is determined from the motor end looking towards the
impeller.
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How much clearance is between
the SpiralTrac ID and the OD of the shaft?
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Will SpiralTrac mechanical seal
versions work with packing?
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SpiralTrac
Adaptor Questions |
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What seals the halves of the SpiralTrac Adaptor from leaking?
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Often, Teflon® is used as a gasket. The ESC
(Carbon Graphite PTFE) is a Teflon based material, therefore; we
are allowing the Teflon-to-Teflon contact of the two halves to
create the necessary seal. In addition, the two halves are
machined to a polish finish to ensure total face contact when
tightened together with the Allen-head bolts that are supplied
with each device. As an option, a gasket sealant can be applied
to each half for added sealing performance.
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Will SpiralTrac Adaptor work
with no flush?
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What seals the face of the stuffing box area when
using a SpiralTrac
Adaptor?
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The SpiralTrac Adaptor has
been designed with a built-in gasket on the face sealing area. If the
stuffing box face is in excellent condition, the built-in gasket should
provide an effective seal. If the stuffing box face is damaged or
eroded, there are options available to you. Firstly, you can insert an
o-ring into the o-ring groove that is supplied with all standard
configuration Adaptors, or secondly, you can order the Adaptor with a machined gasket groove in the face sealing area so that a
flexible gasket can be inserted for an effective seal. For added
sealing effectiveness, an appropriate gasket sealant can be used
in either case.
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What are the pressure limitations of the SpiralTrac Adaptor?
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Is the SpiralTrac Adaptor Type S available in metal?
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What will the SpiralTrac Adaptor do to the turbulence in the stuffing box versus having the
SpiralTrac fill up all the space in the box?
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The turbulence in the seal
cavity will not be changed with the standard Adaptor. What is important
is to protect the environment around the seal itself, and that is
achieved with this design. An option, should you wish to control the
turbulence in the seal cavity, is to order the Adaptor
with a nose piece that will fill the entire void of the seal
cavity. It is important to note that this option can be used
only when there is enough first obstruction space available.
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Version
P / Version F Type S Questions |
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How many rings of packing are
used with the SpiralTrac Version P?
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Can we use any grade of packing
with the Version P?
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We have unusual packing and
lantern ring arrangements, such as: (A) one ring of packing, a
lantern ring, and another ring of packing; (B) a lantern ring in the
bottom of the box; or, (C) a customized lantern ring/bushing
combination. Can SpiralTrac help in these cases?
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Case (A): In some cases, yes. If a
3/4" / 19.05mm cross-section is available, EnviroSeal can design a
packing device where the cross-section is reduced and the
minimum three rings of packing above can be used, providing a
much better sealing solution. Consult EnviroSeal to
discuss your particular application;
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Case (B): A minimum of 1-1/4"
/ 31.75mm is
required to incorporate the SpiralTrac technology into a
device. For example, if the lantern ring is 1" /
25.4mm and
there are 5 rings of packing on the gland follower side,
SpiralTrac would replace the lantern ring and one ring of
packing. This total length will give us the minimum space
required, so a lantern ring in this position does not pose a
problem; and,
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Case (C): Consult with EnviroSeal.
We've been able to manufacture customized SpiralTracs to replace
many different bushing and lantern ring combinations (e.g.
common in Warman and Allis-Chalmers SRL pumps). We may
have already designed a SpiralTrac for your arrangement!
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Which non-metallic material
should I specify for a Version P: GLF or ESC?
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ESC is a more stable, bearing supportive
material, and should be the non-metallic material of choice in
most circumstances. Use GLF only if white material is
absolutely required by the customer. Check out the
following page for more information.
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Are Version P SpiralTracs
available in metal?
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Why are there no air vents in
the Type S SpiralTracs?
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I noticed that the shaft/sleeve
is worn under the packing. Do I have to replace it before
installing the SpiralTrac?
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Typically, any wear is usually under the first
two rings of packing, which is in the area that is covered by
the SpiralTrac, and unless the wear is excessive, the device
will function properly.
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It is very important that the shaft/sleeve area
under the packing behind the SpiralTrac is in perfect
condition.
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Does the Version P have to be
changed when the packing is replaced?
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No; however, if you are changing the packing,
and time is available, you can remove, inspect, clean and
reinsert the SpiralTrac before replacing the packing.
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How can I tell if my SpiralTrac
Version P is installed correctly?
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How much flush pressure is
required for a SpiralTrac Version P, Version F (Type S), or Type B?
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What is the typical flush rate I
can set after installing a SpiralTrac Version P?
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Flush rates will vary from as little as 8-10
GPH (30-38 LPH) for smaller pumps and up, depending on the
application and size of SpiralTrac. Generally:
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On small-shaft equipment
up to 5"/ 127mm,
you can immediately reduce your flush rate to 8-10 GPH
(30-38 LPH);
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On large-shaft equipment
over 5"/ 127mm,
decrease the previous flush rate by 1/2;
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If no problems are experienced,
gradually reduce this flush rate until process begins to
leak at the gland follower, or the pump housing becomes
too hot to touch. At this point, increase the
flush rate to the last known point where these problems
weren't evident.
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In both cases, the previously recommended flow
controller and check valve should be installed.
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How do you remove a SpiralTrac
Version P?
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Will SpiralTrac Version P work
with no flush?
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Is a SpiralTrac Version P press
fitted?
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Are packing adjustments
necessary?
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How much room do you need to
install a SpiralTrac Version P or Version F (Type S)?
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The length of the device is the first
consideration:
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There are occasions when the axial length of
the SpiralTrac is longer than the distance to the first
obstruction. When this occurs, consult EnviroSeal.
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