John Crane, a global leader in flow-control technologies and an innovator in solutions for rotating equipment, and a business of Smiths Group plc, has helped a leading pulp and paper mill in the Southern United States to significantly improve reliability and sustainability performance by reducing water consumption by 90% and save $75,000 in total cost of ownership through a mechanical seal upgrade in its cellulose fibre production process.
The project addressed persistent seal failures and excessive water use that were impacting mill reliability, operating costs and sustainability performance. By deploying John Crane’s Type SB2 USP heavy-duty dual cartridge mechanical seal with Upstream Pumping (USP) seal face technology, the mill was able to extend seal life from weeks to more than a year while sharply reducing water demand.
Previously, the mill experienced frequent mechanical seal failures, with mean time between repairs (MTBR) averaging just three weeks. These failures caused repeated production interruptions, increased maintenance workload and higher operating costs. In addition, the existing sealing arrangement consumed approximately three gallons of water per minute, with no conservation measures in place, creating both financial and environmental challenges.
Following a technical review, John Crane engineers recommended the Type SB2 USP seal, designed for demanding slurry and abrasive pulp applications. The USP seal face technology enables stable, non-contacting operation, reducing barrier fluid requirements while improving reliability and energy efficiency. The seals were installed alongside a John Crane seal reservoir and a 5-micron filtration system, creating a robust and controlled sealing environment.
The system was prepared within two weeks and installed in just one week, with full support from John Crane’s field service team. Performance was rapidly validated in operation, backed by John Crane’s extensive experience in pulp and paper applications.
Since installation, the mill has increased mean time between repairs (MTBR) from three weeks to more than 12 months, virtually eliminating
The success of the project has strengthened the mill’s confidence in the Type SB2 USP seal and opened opportunities for wider deployment across other slurry pump applications as part of its ongoing reliability and sustainability strategy.
“This case study highlights how advanced sealing technology can deliver measurable reliability improvements while supporting responsible water management in demanding pulp and paper applications,” said Mike Eason, Chief Technology Officer, John Crane. “By extending seal life and cutting water use by 90%, we helped the mill reduce costs, improve uptime and align operations with long-term sustainability goals.
