KSB GIW, Inc. is pleased to introduce the LAPIS slurry seal. LAPIS is KSB’s first mechanical seal designed exclusively for GIW® Slurry Pumps, in collaboration between the product development teams from KSB GIW and KSB Pegnitz, for heavy duty slurry service.
In early 2023, slurry seal design concepts were finalized for the GIW® LCC type series, with the first LAPIS prototypes being delivered in July of that year. As of this publication, over 50 LAPIS units have already been manufactured in Pegnitz and delivered to KSB factories and customers throughout the world, including the US, Brazil, South Africa, India, and Indonesia. Multiple field installations in service class 2 and 3 slurry applications are included among these.
In August of 2024, comprehensive slurry testing was performed in the KSB GIW test lab, where service class 4 conditions with solids concentrations up to 1.7 SG (or 67% by weight) were reached and sustained, with excellent results. Additional testing was performed on the test bench in Frankenthal, to validate performance at the highest operating speeds with seal face sliding velocities up to and exceeding 15 m/s, also with excellent results.
LAPIS configurations available for the full LCC range include two standard single seal options:
- LAPIS S with optional water quench and optional internal flush
- LAPIS GQ with grease quench and optional internal flush
In addition to the established LCC product line, these configurations are also fully developed and configured for sale with the first LCC Gen2 pumps.
Highlights of the KSB LAPIS seal include:
- Protected springs, external to the pumping fluid, with solids clearing action provided by the external quench medium
- Clamp collar locking mechanism, for maximum torque carrying capacity and ease of adjustment
- “One stop shop” option for customers, backed by KSB’s reputation for quality design, manufacturing, and service, at a highly competitive price
- The adapter plate has been eliminated altogether for LCC Gen2, resulting in simplified installation and reduced cost