LabTecta saves €360,000 for Spanish company each year

With Daniel Carrasco

Daniel Carrasco tells us how one failing lip seal was costing a petrochemical plant in Spain hundreds of thousands of dollars a year - until we installed the LabTecta66RDS.

How did the contract come about? Did the company contact AESSEAL, or did we make the approach?

They already knew about the LabTecta from past visits and placing orders to fit in some Flowserve pumps.

Was this an existing customer? If so, what products and services was AESSEAL supplying to them?

Yes, they are an existing customer. We used to supply mechanical seals, including API ones, and some LabTectas.

What was the problem with the competitor’s seal? Why was it leaking oil?

After a machine revision done by the original equipment manufacturer of the machine, the new oil seal started to leak after two days.

How did AESSEAL convince the company that the LabTecta66RDS was the right solution? How difficult was this?

The possibility to avoid the oil leaking without the need to dismantle this enormous machine was the key to the decision. It didn’t take too long for them to make the decision to change.

Did the seal have to be specially designed for this application?

We found an already designed LabTecta which could fit in the machine. This helped us to supply it in a few days and help the customer to solve the problem.

What makes the LabTecta66RDS seal superior to the competitor’s product?

Labyrinth design, no shaft wear, superior sealing performance and the split design, which means there is no need to dismantle the equipment. This permitted us to solve the problem in two hours instead of one week and saved on huge crane costs in the case of the old oil seal.

Were there any problems or challenges with the installation? Was the size of the extruder gearbox an issue?

No problems have been reported. Yes, this machine has a 400mm shaft diameter, and the dimensions are like two Ford Transits put one beside the other. Some tons had to be lifted to dismantle this equipment.

How many seals were required in the original order? Has AESSEAL supplied any more since that time?

The original order was for one unit. No more like this have been supplied at this moment. The LabTecta66RDS is still in there and working.

Can you outline any savings or other benefits that have resulted from the change to the LabTecta?

The savings were enormous taking in the fact they would have the equipment out of order for one week, the crane rent costs, and labour costs during this week.

Is AESSEAL now the company’s preferred seal supplier?

Yes, we are growing in API seals.

Can you give any examples of comments/feedback from the company about the quality of the products or services AESSEAL has provided?

High level engineering and manufacturing products, with an unbeatable service, has been the comment.

Is the reputation of the LabTecta®66RDS spreading? Has this helped to win contracts with other companies? If so, in what sectors of industry?

Yes of course, this case helped to improve the reputation of this product. In the case of this customer, we are included in new opportunities from future engineering projects as a supplier for mechanical seals, systems, and bearing protection for new brand pumps for the plant.