mating ring static SIC( AS PER API) Stationary Seats (Mating Rings) are the non rotating primary

ng primary seal ring mounted

seal ring rotary carbon

TAIL
ACID M T T M AIR MOUTH

BACK TO BACK

STEAM T M M T AIR

FACE TO FACE

TOXIC M T M T AIR

TANDOM /SERIES

API 21 NORMAL TEMP UP TO 16 KG /CM2 UNBALANCED SEAL

23 HIGH TEMP 16 KG /CM2 ABOVE BALANCED
32 CORROSIVE LIQ
52 DOUBLE M SEAL TANDOM
53A BACK TO BACK DOUBLE PRESSURISED
62 HIGH TEMP

WHAT IS A SINGLE MECHANICAL SEAL?

A single mechanical seal consists of two very flat surfaces that are pressed together by a spring
and slide against each other. Between these two surfaces is a fluid film generated by the pumped product. This fluid
film prevents the mechanical seal from touching the stationary ring. An absence of this fluid film (dry running of the
pump) results in frictional heat and ultimate destruction of the mechanical seal.

WHAT IS A DOUBLE MECHANICAL SEAL?

A double mechanical seal consists of two seals arranged in a series.
The inboard, or “primary seal” keeps the product contained within the pump housing. The outboard, or “secondary
seal” prevents the flush liquid from leaking into the atmosphere.
Dual mechanical seal are usually used for application a
follows:
· If a fluid product leakage needs to be avoided,
· When aggressive media are used or at high pressures and temperatures,
· For many polymerizing, sticky media and media which tend to sedimentation ion,
· For vacuum applications.

Back to back
Two rotating seal rings are arranged facing away from each other. The lubricating film is generated by the barrier fluid. This
arrangement is commonly found in the chemical industry. In case of leakage, the barrier liquid penetrates the product.
arrangement is commonly found in the chemical industry. In case of leakage, the barrier liquid penetrates the product.

Face to face
The spring loaded rotary seal faces are arranged face to face and slide from the opposite direction to one or two stationary sea
parts. This is a popular choice for the food industry, particularly for products which tend to stick. In case of leakage, the barrier
liquid penetrates the product. If the product is considered “hot”, the barrier liquid acts as a cooling agent for the mechanical se

Seal orientation (Arrangement 2 and Arrangement 3):

a) Face-to-back (tandem): one mating ring is between the two flexible elements and one flexible element is between the two
mating seal rings
b) Back-to-back: both of the flexible elements are between the mating seal rings
c) Face-to-face: both of the mating seal rings are between the flexible elements.

Seal arrangements:
a) Arrangement 1: Single Seal
b) Arrangement 2: Dual un-pressurized seal (use buffer fluid)
c) Arrangement 3: Dual pressurized seal (use barrier fluid)

3. Mechanical seal code based on API 610, 8 edition

On the latest edition, this seal code does not specify any more in API 610 and seal arrangement refers to API 682. But some
vendor and end-user sometimes still use this designation.

Sample: BSTFN

1st letter
Balanced (B), Unbalanced (U)

2nd letter
Single (S), dual un-pressurized (T), Dual Pressurized (D)

3rd letter
T – Seal gland type (P = plain, no throttle bushing; T = throttle bushing with quench, leakage and/or drain connections; A =
auxiliary sealing device, type to be specified)

4th letter
Table H-4 Fourth Letter
Stationary Seal Seal Ring to
Letter Ring Gasket Sleeve Gasket
E FKM FKM
F FKM FKM
G PTFE PTFE
H Nitrile Nitrile
I FFKM FFKM elastomer
Graphite Graphite
R Foil Foil

As As
X specified specified
Spiral Graphite
Z wound foil

5th Letter
 Table H-5 Fifth Letter
Sealing Ring Face
Material
Letter Ring 1 Ring 2
L Carbon Tungsten carbide
M Carbon 1 Tungsten carbide
N Carbon 2 Silicon carbide
Tungste
n
carbide
O 2 Silicon carbide
Silicon
carbide
P Silicon carbide
As
specified
X As specified

4. Mechanical Seal selection basis

Mechanical seal selection shall consider the following item:

a) Liquid: the metal parts must be corrosion resistant, usually steel, bronze, stainless steel, or Hastelloy.
The mating faces must also resist corrosion and wear. Carbon, ceramic, silicon carbide or tungsten carbide
may be considered. Stationary sealing members of Buna, EPR, FKM (Viton) and PTFE (Teflon) are common.
Material shall also be checked to find the performance against the fluid. For example FKM (Viton) is not
recommended for fluid contain H2S

b) Pressure: balanced or unbalanced, is based on the pressure on the seal and on the seal size.

c) Temperature: materials must be selected to handle liquid temperature.

d) Characteristics of Liquid: abrasive liquids (like slurry) create excessive wear and short seal life.
Flushing from an external source allows the use of mechanical seals. On light hydrocarbons balanced seals
are often used for longer seal life even though pressures are low.

e) Reliability and Emission Concerns: seal type and arrangement selected must meet the desired
reliability and emission standards where the pump will be applied. Dual seals (pressurized or un-
pressurized) with buffer/barrier fluid could be a choice.

Detail selection is provided by API 682 as international standard for mechanical seal but purchaser shall also
consult to seal vendor specialist to get proper seal selection.

5. Seal Flush Plan

Seal flush plan selection mainly based on operating condition of pump itself. The simple flush plan is plan 11
that circulate form discharge pump to mechanical seal. Plan 23 is usually used on boiler feed water pump
with single seal. For toxic fluid that leakage to atmosphere is not allowed, double mechanical seal used, for
example plan 11 + 52 (with buffer fluid) or 11 + 53A (with barrier fluid). Seal plan selection will be
responsibility of purchaser and vendor to decide the proper seal.

Below are seal flush plan according to API 682 which:

a) Seal Flush Plan 01: Internal seal chamber flush from pump discharge
b) Seal Flush Plan 02: Dead-ended seal chamber with no flush
c) Seal Flush Plan 11: Seal flush from pump discharge through orifice
d) Seal Flush Plan 12: Recirculation from pump discharge through a strainer and flow control orifice to
the seal. Not recommended as per API 682 explanation
e) Seal Flush Plan 13: Recirculation from seal chamber to pump suction through orifice. Standard flush
plan on vertical pump.
f) Seal Flush Plan 14: Seal flush from pump discharge and recirculation to pump suction with orifice.
ng primary seal ring mounted in the gland plate or other motionless structural part of the rotating equipment.

SEAL RING ROTARY FLEXIBLE ELEMENT I.E. SPRING LOADED

MATING RING STATIC

STEPPED SLEEVE
PLAIN SLEEVE

essed together by a spring

pumped product. This fluid
id film (dry running of the

eals arranged in a series.

outboard, or “secondary

sually used for application as

d by the barrier fluid. This

netrates the product.
n to one or two stationary seal
n case of leakage, the barrier
ng agent for the mechanical seal.

e element is between the two

efers to API 682. But some

or drain connections; A =
pump transfer liq from one to other place
only liquid no air, gas or solid
liquid non compressible, viscous, fluidity
impeller push the liq, not pulled