Pumps

Seals and Gaskets for the Pump and Valve Industry

Pumps are mainstays in numerous industrial manufacturing processes, commercial applications and municipal operations.  There are dozens of different commonly used pump types, operated by manual, mechanical, electrical, engine, steam or wind means.  Pumps are typically classified by the technique used to move fluids and gases as gravity pumps, direct lift pumps, or displacement pumps.  They are further categorized as either rotary, reciprocating or linear, based on the pump design.

Regardless of the type and function of the pump, the sealing mechanisms involved are vitally important in preventing leakage, particulate buildup and contamination, which can lead to failure and serious harm to persons and equipment.

Selecting the most effective seal also helps improve equipment integrity while reducing life cycle costs and maintenance.  Seal choice can have as much effect on the success of the system as on the choice of pump itself.

Web Seal provides effective sealing solutions for nearly every type of pumping unit.  We can recommend the appropriate configuration and materials for any function and medium, as well as sealing components for various pump valves.

Considerations for Sealing Compatibility

The purpose of a pump is to effectively compress, filter, meter, raise or transfer either a liquid, a gas or a slurry.  Among the important elements to consider when selecting the ideal sealing solution for pumps are:

  • Chemical stability
  • Corrosion potential
  • petroleum engineer at an oil derrickEnvironmental challenges
  • Medium being sealed
  • Movement and vibration
  • Horizontal or vertical mounting
  • Shaft diameter
  • Stability under pressure
  • Temperature
  • Type of pump

Types of Pumps

Web Seal delivers effective sealing solutions for all types of hydraulic, pneumatic, electric and other pumps, both single-stage and multi-stage, including:

Centrifugal Pumps

The correct specification and service life of sealing components are essential in preventing contamination and leakage in centrifugal pumps, the most common type of pump used for the transfer of fluids.

Positive Displacement (PD) Pumps

Seals and valves assist the cyclic action of positive displacement pumps whose job is to repeatedly move a fixed volume of fluid mechanically through the pump system.  The two main types of PD pumps are reciprocating and rotary pumps.

Gravity Pumps

Gravity flow systems can be more cost-effective than other pumps.  Also know as water ram pumps, gravity pumps use the potential energy of water located at a higher level than the pump.  Seals may need to be replaced every two to five years, depending on specific applications.

Seals for Pump Applications

Centrifugal Pumps

Centrifugal pumps are the most common type of pump for transferring liquids. One or more impellers is attached to the shaft and rotates with it, creating energy that moves the liquid through the pump and pressurizes it to move through the piping system. Seals for centrifugal pumps are key to preserving the integrity of the pump systems.

Web Seal provides seals for a variety of centrifugal pumps, including:

oil pump sealing solutions

  • Air pumps and compressors
  • ANSI chemical process pumps
  • API refinery process pumps
  • Axial flow or propeller pumps
  • Boiler or feed pumps
  • Booster pumps, single- or multi-stage
  • Circulating and re-circulating pumps
  • Chopper pumps, grinder pumps, sludge pumps, trash pumps
  • Cryogenic pumps
  • Diffuser pumps
  • Drum pumps
  • Electrical pumps
    air compressor seals
  • End suction pumps
  • Fire pumps
  • Fuel pumps
  • In-line pumps
  • Irrigation and turf pumps
  • Jet pumps
  • Mining and ore processing pumps
  • Oil, gas and power generation pumps
    deep well submersible pump seals
  • Sanitary pumps
  • Self-priming pumps
  • Slurry pumps
  • Submersible and surface pumps
  • Vacuum pumps
  • Vertical/deep well/line shaft turbine pumps
  • Water pumps

Displacement Pumps – Reciprocating

Reciprocating pumps use plungers or pistons that create alternating force and suction. This back-and-forth motion leads to a steady, pulsing flow that produces a pressure differential. Using the proper sealing techniques helps reciprocating pumps last for decades.

Web Seal provides seals for a variety of reciprocating positive displacement pumps, including:

sealing solutions for heavy duty piston pumps

  • Air compressors
  • AODD (Air operated double diaphragm) pumps
  • Bellows pumps
  • Boiler pumps
  • Concrete pumps
  • Diaphragm pumps
  • Metering or dosing pumps
  • Mining and ore processing pumps
  • Piston pumps
  • Pneumatic pumps and systems
  • Plunger pumps
  • Solenoid pumps
  • Vacuum pumps
  • Water pumps

Displacement Pumps – Rotary

Rather than the back-and-forward motion of reciprocating pumps, rotary positive displacement pumps use the revolving action of gears or cogs to transfer fluids. Specifying the right seals are important in rotary pumps, which are designed with small clearances between rotating and stationary parts.

sealing systems for industrial pumps

Web Seal provides seals for a variety of rotary positive displacement pumps, including:

  • Flexible impeller pumps
  • Gear pumps
  • Hose or peristalic pumps
  • Hydraulic pumps and systems
  • Lobe pumps, including sanitary pump versions
  • Power generation pumps
  • Progressive cavity umps
  • Rotary screw compressors
  • Water ring pumps
  • Vane pumps

Gravity Pumps

Gravity pumps require no outside source of power other than the kinetic energy of hydrostatic pressure to transfer fluids from a lower to a higher elevation. Maintaining a good pressure margin and compatibility with the fluids are very important in the selection of gravity pump seals.

sealing solutions for gravity pumps, like in this water tower

Web Seal provides seals for a variety of gravity pumps, including:

  • Desalinization pumps
  • Fountain pumps
  • Pool pumps
  • Pond pumps
  • Siphon pumps
  • Water tower pumps

Related Pump Industry Equipment

Web Seal provides sealing components for a variety of related equipment in pump and valve industries, including:

control valves hydraulic machinery image

  • Actuators
  • Arbors and mandrels
  • Control and safety valves – including air release, ball, butterfly, check, cryogenic, diaphragm, directional, gate, globe, motor, needle or plunger, pinch,
  • Piston, pressure regulator, and rotary types
  • Industrial gas cylinders
  • Industrial power packs
  • Steam jet ejectors

Sealing Options for the Pump and Valve Industry

Web Seal offers a gamut of sealing materials and geometries addressing a wide range of pressures and temperatures for housings, pumps, pipework, valves and related equipment:

Gaskets – non-metallic, custom die cuts, spiral wound gaskets, flat full-face, inner bolt circle (IBC), raised face, dust cover gaskets, flange gaskets, pipe gaskets, sand cover gaskets, sleeve gaskets, spray protection gaskets. Learn more about Gaskets.

Hydraulic and Pneumatic Seals – bellows, custom molded seals, D-rings, piston seals, radial lip seals, rod seals, symmetrical seals, wear rings, wiper seals, rotary shaft seals. Learn more about Hydraulic & Pneumatic Seals.

O-Rings and Other Seals – back-up rings, bladders, braided packings, connectors, coupling lip seals, extrusions, fittings, non-metallic washers and grommets, pipe thread protectors, spring energized and mechanical seals, oil seals, bushings, bearing isolators, stem seals, metric seals, shim seals, V-cup packings. Learn more about O-Rings & Back-Up Rings and Related Sealing Products.