Sealng the mining industry & ATEX.

[AESAldo]

Afternoon guys, first post so hello to all.

I was just after some advice please, I am being posed problems regards to M1 classification mining areas, and seals suitable for such environments.

My understanding is that no seal manufacturer currently has a seal that is rated with documentation to prove it is suitable for M1 mining, I stand to be corrected here of course, but if so, how in the world do I get a seal, in a pump, in an M1 classified mine.

We currently observe ATEX guidlines so I am at a loss here, do I just get an independant in to classify pump & seal as ok?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[flexibox]

In 1995 I was involved in having a coupling approved for electrical and fire resistance through the NSW Dept of mineral resourses. I have never heard of such a requirement for mechanical seals. I guess a question i need to ask is what style/type of pump are you talking about?
are you concerned about the mechanical seal creating an ignition leading to a potential fire?
I guess that you may also need to consider if you are using standard off the shelf seals or Engineered seals! Also what serice are you requiring this M1 classification? I assume for dewatering pumps this should not be a requiremnt however if it is a hydrocarbon then it may apply.

trust this helps.

 

[AESAldo]

Cheers for that Flexibox. Our problem mainly lies in the supply of the mech seal to us. We are looking at using a double seal most likely with a plan 53a barrier system. We have no real concerns over the seal supply as we currently utilise same seals in the process above ground further down the process, it's a potash slurry duty by the way, minimal temps( ambient to 30 def c) pressure around 5barg. Shaft of the warman we are using is 145mm, tc/tc faces so the pv will be high, but the heat should still remain a non-issue.

Our problem comes when we are trying to get our pump overhauler to change the existing burgmanns out to the new seals, overhauler "says" burgmann have seals for M1 suitalble areas, I believe this is a falsity and has been misled by the supplier as I don't know of any supplier able to supply an M1 classified seal?

It's being a real pain as the overhaul of the pump is pushing me way over budget if I stay with Burgmann.

Hope this sheds some further light?

 

[flexibox]

I think you are being told porky pies!
Don't know why you are using TC vs TC on such an application, are you achieving good life? I would consider Sic vs Sic on such applications. Also are you experiencing problems with 53A? If you are I have some alternative options for you to consider, assuming you hav reliable gland water.
I think M1 compliant is in the interpretation of the specification! I agree with you.

You should ask your repairer to overhaul the old seals to go back in. you are the customer after all.

Cheers!