Pump filter

[LAsludge]

I have a recurring failure problem with the packing on a high pressure pump. The fluid is pretreated with iron salts in an upstream process. The fluid is then screened to 1 millimeter but I suspect that some fines are getting through and ruining my seal.
The pumping cylinder is made of stainless and the piston is ceramic. The fluid is a well mixed organic slurry at about 5% solid contents. The organic solids are not a problem but the iron certainly would be a problem.

Question...
How much filtering do I need to protect this pump?
I'm thinking of a magnetic filter to focus on the iron grit. Does this make sense and can someone educate me about magnetic filters?

 

[Artisi]

Many of the mechanical seal manufacturers can supply micro hydrocyclones especially designed for the purpose of removing fines from seal water. Worth checking with them.

Naresuan University
Phitsanulok
Thailand

 

[sprintcar]

Artisi has the right idea with the cyclone, assuming you can't just use a supply of clean water for the packing. Any solids at all in packing will create wear. If you have space you may also consider using a large settling tank where velocity is slow enough to allow solids to drop out.

Timing has an awful lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.