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Press Release
Reduce CPI Total System Costs With Kalrez® Perfluoroelastomer Seals: New Brochure Shows How
Download Photo (jpg 170 kB) (Photo: DuPont Performance Elastomers) Case studies in DuPont Performance Elastomers’ new brochure “Optimize Total System Cost” highlight total system cost comparisons. In this illustration, the replacement and downtime costs of seals needing frequent replacement far outweigh the initial higher cost of perfluoroelastomers — using a conservative estimate of service life of perfluoroelastomer seals being at least four times longer than conventional seal materials. 
Download Photo (jpg 600 kB) (Photo: DuPont Performance Elastomers) DuPont Performance Elastomers’ new interactive seal savings calculator at http://www.dupontelastomers.com/products/Kalrez/optimize.asp/ allows seal users to calculate potential savings by extending MTBR and reducing maintenance costs and downtime, as a result of selecting and installing Kalrez® perfluoroelastomer seals. Engineers responsible for chemical, pharmaceutical and petrochemical processes can save up to 98 percent in total system running costs (depending on equipment, chemical environment and seal material previously used) by switching to Kalrez® perfluoroelastomer seals, claims DuPont Performance Elastomers in a new brochure entitled “Optimize Total System Cost”*. “When considering the economics of elastomeric seals it is vital to look beyond the cost of the seal itself and compare the total system cost related to the sealing solution,” the company states. It gives case studies of pumps with mechanical seals and O-rings in couplings — with typical process industry costs throughout. “Total system cost” is defined as the sum of the cost of the O-ring seal + installation cost + downtime cost, including loss of productivity through leakage, + clean-up costs, and varies from one production site to another. Case history examples The brochure cites case history examples from a global agrochemical producer and a high-tech process pump manufacturer, demonstrating gains in seal lifetime from one day to two months, from eight hours to 12 months, and from two months to 20+ months respectively, by replacing repeatedly failing seals of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and fluoroelastomer (FEP/FKM) with Kalrez® perfluoroelastomer parts. In the case of pumps with mechanical seals, the most impressive example compared the total system cost in a production site needing 30 non-perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) seal replacements per year (amounting to US$ 294’140), with the same site requiring only eight Kalrez® perfluoroelastomer seal replacements per year (totaling US$ 215’400). This resulted in total system costs savings of US$ 78’740, or 27 percent. The most dramatic impact on cost savings is demonstrated by the comparative lifetimes of non-FFKM O-rings and Kalrez® O-rings in couplings. In the real-life example given, actual seal lifetime was six months for FFKM, and three years for Kalrez®, leading to total system cost savings of US$ 5’476, or 98 percent. These examples are supported by industry data and performance comparisons of different seal materials, including EPDM, FKM, and Kalrez® Spectrum™ 6375 and 7075 perfluoroelastomer parts, in the most challenging chemical and hydrocarbon processes. “Of course each plant has its unique replacement rate and downtime cost. The chemical environment influencing the choice of the sealing material used must be considered when evaluating the potential savings from using Kalrez® seals in an assembly,” the brochure states. But when gathering the data from customers, DuPont Performance Elastomers technicians were surprised to find that even small increases in Mean Time Between Repair (MTBR) through using Kalrez® seals could result in significant overall cost savings. New interactive online cost calculator Linked with the total cost principles expressed in the brochure, seal users are also invited to visit DuPont Performance Elastomers’ new interactive seal savings calculator at http://www.dupontelastomers.com/products/Kalrez/optimize.asp. By registering for the page, users can enter their own cost data and calculate for themselves the potential savings that may be achievable by selecting and installing Kalrez® perfluoroelastomer seals. *“Optimize Total System Cost” is available from DuPont Performance Elastomers (Fax +41 22 717 4001) by quoting ref. KZS-D10651-00-A0804, or by visiting webpage http://www.dupontelastomers.com/Products/Kalrez/indProcess.asp. For further information on Kalrez®, visit www.dupontelastomers.com/kalrez. About DuPont Performance Elasomters # # #
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