Handling hostile environments at a stroke

Premature seal failure in reciprocating pumps present users with both operational and maintenance problems. In general, standard elastomers in the plunger packing fail due to frictional heat and abrasion generated by the mechanical movement of the plunger. In this article Fred Pipper of Utex Industries, describes the development and testing of a new nitrile-based elastomer system for sealing reciprocating pumps, which possesses high wear and anti-abrasion properties.