Water scarcity in South Africa has become a household topic and concern for all residents and businesses alike. The startling statistics of the water crisis globally just puts further strain on this concern. At least two billion people are affected by water shortages for at least one month of the year. And more than 1 billion people have no access to clean drinking or potable water. For this reason, AESSEAL’s strategy for water reduction and conserving in all capacities has worked exceptionally well within one of the largest pulp and paper Mills in South Africa. What is important to mention here is that, where there is water reduction, it systematically reduces energy costs as well.
This water savings initiative is made possible, and successfully achieved with the AESSEAL double mechanical seal and SW02 water management system.
These systems are installed due to excessive water usage through gland packing and gland service water. Approximately one gland packed application uses 4 litres of gland service water per minute, equating to 5,760 litres per day, and in one calendar month 172,800 litres have gone through the process or to ground and is not accounted for. Once the double seals and SW02 water management systems are put in place, AESSEAL can successfully manage to save the customer 6,130.80 litres of water, on only 10 pump/agitator applications.
The below tables provide a clear breakdown of the actual amount of litres of water saved, after upgrading to the Double Mechanical Seal with SWO2 water management system. Some of these pumps have been running in excess of 8 years and the drop in water usage is clearly evident.
Double Mechanical Seals with SWO² water management system
| Pump/Agi No.: | Operating Months | Commissioning date | Upgrade Cost | Litres of water used before upgrade, over operating month duration | Litres of water used after upgrade, over operating months |
| 63-3883 | 84 | 2011 | R54,658.72 | 1,209.600 | 2.520 |
| 67-0362 | 10 | 2017 | R 59,094.00 | 144.000 | 300 |
| 61-0292 | 25 | 2016 | R 38,645.00 | 360.000 | 750 |
| 61-0263 | 63 | 2013 | R 77,467.00 | 907.200 | 1,890 |
| 41-1040 | 5 | 2018 | R 38,645.00 | 72.000 | 150 |
| 41-1032 | 5 | 2018 | R 38,645.00 | 72.000 | 150 |
| 100-0612 | 43 | 2016 | R 50,346.00 | 619.200 | 1,290 |
| 46-1062 | 27 | 2016 | R 37,977.50 | 388.800 | 810 |
| 46-0927 | 34 | 2016 | R 37,977.50 | 489.600 | 1,020 |
| R 488,114.44 | 5,659.200 lts | 11,790 lts |
Most single seals do not normally have a flushing system in place, so the water savings achieved are minimal, however, what was once a gland packed application that leaked water or product to drain/ground has a 100% sealing device to prevent energy loss.
Single Mechanical Seals
| Pump No.: | Operating Months | Commissioning date | Upgrade Cost | Estimated product loss to drain before upgrade, over operating month duration | After upgrade |
| 41-1659 | 13 | 2017 | R 23,604.00 | 18.720 | 0 |
| 67-0097 | 14 | 2016 | R 12,451.00 | 201.600 | 0 |
| 43-0101 | 11 | 2017 | R 14,988.66 | 15.840 | 0 |
| 43-0098 | 11 | 2017 | R 14,988.66 | 15.840 | 0 |
| 41-1659 | 11 | 2017 | R 23,604.00 | 15.840 | 0 |
| 62-1188 | 53 | 2014 | R 8,035.00 | 763.200 | 0 |
| 62-1472 | 53 | 2014 | R 8,035.00 | 763.200 | 0 |
| 96-1602 | 31 | 2016 | R 22,712.00 | 44.640 | 0 |
| R 128,418.32 | 1,838.880 | 0 lts |
Due to our unpredictable rain fall patterns, the water situation in South Africa is a great concern and everyone should play their part on conserving every drop. Using water efficiently can help organisations meet their energy efficiency and prevent businesses from closure.