Gravel Pump Seal Type Selection Guide

Answer 5 questions about your operating conditions to receive a data-driven seal type recommendation with full scoring breakdown.

1

Slurry Abrasiveness

Particle size and concentration of solids in the pumped medium

Low Fine sand / silt slurry <1 mm particles

Medium Coarse sand / small gravel 1–20 mm

High Large gravel / rocks / tailings >20 mm

2

Leakage Tolerance

Environmental, regulatory, and operational constraints on leakage

Some Leakage Acceptable Open dredge / outdoor pit operation

Minimal Leakage Required Near water bodies / contained work area

Zero Leakage Required Environmental compliance / hazardous slurry

3

Maintenance Access

How easily maintenance crews can access the pump seal area

Easy Land-based, open area — full tool access

Moderate Confined space / barge-mounted operation

Difficult Submerged / remote / minimal shutdown windows

4

Operating Hours per Year

Total annual pump runtime — impacts lifecycle seal wear calculation

5

Budget Priority

Primary cost driver for seal selection decision

Lowest Upfront Cost Minimize initial purchase + install spend

Lowest Lifecycle Cost Optimize total cost over 3–5 year horizon

Maximum Reliability Minimize unplanned downtime at any cost

Please complete all 5 fields above.

BBP Recommended Seal Type

Suitability Score — Your Conditions

Criteria Comparison — All Seal Types

Speak with a BBP applications engineer to validate fit for your exact pump model and duty cycle.