JohnCrane Tech(Tianjin) Co.

,Ltd

Concepts of Mechanical Seals

The Basic Sealing Problem: Preventing Leakage :

Vessel Wall

Environment

Shaft Process Fluid Leakage

The Concept of an End Face Mechanical Seal

Environment

Vessel Wall Shaft Process Fluid

Leakage

Required Features

Small axial clearance Self adjusting

Shaft Movement

A Flexible Seal Flexible

Hydrostatic loading Secondary sealing elements Replaceable parts

Mating Ring

Primary Ring

Secondary Sealing Element

An Example of a Complete Seal

Primary Ring

Snap Ring
Anti-X Ring O-Ring O Disk Springs Retainer Set Screw O-Ring O

Mating Ring

Shaft

Simply put, a mechanical seal is: ,:

1. A wearable, stationary, primary sealing element ,

2. A wearable, rotating, primary sealing element

, 3. A secondary sealing element

4. A mechanical loading device to press primary sealing elements 1 and 2 against one another, and 12 5. Auxiliary components to complete seal

The Sealing Interface

Shape:

Converging

Parallel

Diverging

Gap:

Face Separation

Fluid:
Non-flashing Flashing

The Sealing Interface

Lubrication Purpose:

Separate surfaces Prevent contact of high surface points Reduce friction/heat generation/
Magnified Surface A
Separation

Lubricant

Heat

Magnified Surface B

Process Fluid Acts as Lubricant Between Faces

Pump Housing Process Fluid

Gland

Primary Ring

Mating Ring

Invisible Leakage: Fluid Evaporates Upon Reaching Atmosphere

Without Lubrication, Faces Run Dry And Overheat

Pump Housing Gland No Fluid Or Dry Running

Primary Ring

Mating Ring

Heat Generation

Rubbing Viscous Shear

Mating Ring

Primary Ring

Heat Transfer

Conduction Convection

Flushing

Removes Heat Replenishes Cool Clean Lubricating Liquid

Injection

Primary Seal: Flush:

Single Seal Flushing By - Pass from Discharge (API Plan 11)
Discharge By- pass Line from Pump Discharge to Seal Gland

Flow

Suction

Primary Seal: Flush:

Single Seal Flushing from External Source (API Plan 32)
Discharge Flow Minimum Pressure .3 bar / 5 psi Above A? A 0.3Bar

Suction Restrictional Device (Bushing)

Primary Seal: Quench :

Single Seal Quench from External Source (API Plan 62)
Quench Source

Process Fluid

Restrictional Device (Packing) ()

API Piping Plans API

JOHNCRANE

API Piping Plans API

API Piping Plans API

Advantage
- No external piping

Limitations
- Changing flow rate required dismantling of pump - For clean pumpages only

Integral (internal) recirculation from pump discharge to seal

API Piping Plans API

Points to Note for API Plan 02: API 02 - The injection tapping is used for venting prior to startup. - - API plan 02 is often used together with plan 62, especially on high temperature bellows seals. 262

No flushing to the mechanical seal (dead-ended)

API Piping Plans API

Points to Note for API Plan 11: API 11

- Use an orifice to restrict the flow rate if the discharge pressure is 3 bar higher than seal chamber pressure. 3bar - Use on clean and low abrasives duties

Seal Flushing By-Pass from Discharge

API Piping Plans API

Points to Note for API Plan 13: API 13 - Use an orifice to restrict the flow rate if the seal chamber pressure is 3 bar higher than suction pressure. 3bar - handle abrasives duty better than API plan 11 1311 - higher seal chamber pressure to suppress vaporisation

Recirculation from seal chamber through a flow control orifice and back to pump suction

API Piping Plans API

Points to Note for API Plan 14: API 14 - Flow back to suction side will evacuate vapours that may collect in seal chamber. - Recommended for light hydrocarbon service.

API Piping Plans API

Cooling Water Inlet Cooling Water Outlet

Recirculation from pump discharge through a flow control orifice and cooler to seal Open Loop Cooling Circuit

API Piping Plans API

Discharge
Vent at highest point of the piping

Cooling Water Inlet

Cooling Water Outlet

Heat exchanger

Suction
Throat bushing mechanical seal with pumping ring

18 - 24"

Recirculation from a pumping ring in the seal chamber through cooler and back to seal Closed Loop Cooling Circuit

API Piping Plans API

Points to note for API Plan 23:

Thermosyphon design * heat exchanger 18 to 24 above pump centre line. 18 to 24" * Prevent overheating in standby and startup. * Install close fitting neck bushing at the bottom of seal chamber to isolate the heat from the impeller end. Used on high temperature applications to minimise heat load on the cooler by cooling only small amount of liquid that is recirculated. . For high temperature boiler feed pump applications Other applications * high temperature liquid close to bubble point. * .

API Piping Plans API

Clean overflow

Inlet

Underflow

Recirculation from pump discharge through a cyclone separator delivering clean fluid to the seal and fluid with solids back to pump suction line

API Piping Plans API

Throat Bushing
Points to Note for API Plan 32: API plan 32 :
- Chose a proper source of seal flush to eliminate the potential for vaporisation of the injected fluid and to avoid contamination of the fluid being pumped with the injected flush. - Install a labyrinth bushing at the bottom of the stuffing box to control the flushing and pressure if necessary. - -

Single Seal Flushing from External Source

API Piping Plans API

Cooling Water Inlet Cooling Water Outlet

Recirculation from pump discharge through a cyclone separator delivering clean fluid through a cooler and then to seal and fluid with solids back to pump suction line

API Piping Plans API

Needle valve

Points to Note for API Plan 51:API plan 51 : -- Dead ended blanket on atmospheric side of seal to prevent freezing of moisture. Seal face will not stick together when the pump started. - Typical application : Pump operating below 0 C 0C -- API 610 8th Edition has eliminated this piping plan.API 610

External reservoir providing a -dead-ended blanket of fluid to the quench connection of the gland.

API Piping Plans API

API Piping Plans API

A fluid used as a lubricant or buffer between dual mechanical seals. The buffer fluid is always at a pressure lower than the pump process pressure being sealed.

A fluid which is introduced between dual mechanical

seals to completely isolate the pump process liquid from the environment. Pressure of the barrier fluid is always higher than the pump process pressure being sealed.

The purpose of fluid circulation is to remove heat from mechanical seal

API Piping Plans API

Fluid circulation by temperature difference between the seal and reservoir.

Higher temperature liquid at seal has lower density rises to the reservoir.
Lower temperature liquid at reservoir has higher density falls to the seal to provide cooling.

T2

T1
Pump

Pumping ring

On applications below ambient temperature, circulation of barrier fluid may not be desirable. The atmosphere will heat the reservoir and consequently add heat to the seal area.

API Piping Plans API

Vent valve (Normally Open) Orifice Fill valve
Level Switch (H) Level Switch (L) Pressure Gauge Pressure Switch Level Gauge
Points to Note for API Plan 52:
Typically used with an Arrangement 2

unpressurised dual seal.

During normal operation, circulation is

maintained by an internal pumping ring. The reservoir is usually continuously vented to a vapour recovery system and is maintained at a pressure less than the pressure in the seal chamber.

Drain
External reservoir providing buffer fluid for the outer seal of an unpressurised dual seal arrangement.

API Piping Plans API

Vent Valve (Normally Close) Orifice Level Switch (L) Pressure Gauge Pressure Switch One-way Block Valve (Normally Open) Level Gauge
Points to Note for API Plan 53:
Typically used with an Arrangement 3

External Pressure Source

pressurised dual seal.

During normal operation, circulation is

Drain

maintained by an internal pumping ring. The reservoir pressure is greater than the process pressure being sealed.

External reservoir providing pressurised barrier fluid for the outer seal of an pressurised dual seal arrangement.

API Piping Plans API

Points to Note for API Plan 54:

Typically used with an

Arrangement 3 pressurised dual seal.

During normal operation,

circulation is maintained by an external pump or pressure system.

The circulating barrier fluid

pressure is greater than the process pressure being sealed.

External barrier fluid system providing pressurised barrier fluid for the outer seal of an pressurised dual seal arrangement

API Piping Plans API

Safe to use, handle, store Stable liquid at ambient temperatures Not a VOC, VHAP or other regulated compound

Non flammable Non foaming when pressurised Clean and good lubricity Compatible with process fluid Compatible with seal materials Good heat transfer properties Good flow qualities at very low temperatures

Low solubility of gas Local availability VOC : Volatile Organic Compound VHAP : Volatile Hazardous Air Polutants Low cost

API Piping Plans API

Point to Note for API Plan 61: API plan 61 : Typically this plan is used when the purchaser is to provide fluid (such as steam, gas, or water ) to an auxiliary sealing device.

Tapped connections for the purchasers use

API Piping Plans API

Points to Note for API Plan 62: API plan 62 :

The quench may be required to

Single Seal Quench from External Source

prevent solids from accumulating on the atmospheric side of the seal. Typically used with a closeclearance throttle bushing.

API 682 2nd Edition API 682 New Piping Plans

Plan 14 (Plan 11+13) 14 Plan 53s - Arrangement 3, Contacting Wet (CW) Seals 53 3 53a traditional configuration 53b bladder accumulator 53c piston pot/ accumulator / Containment Seal Plan 72 Arrangement 2 w/ Containment Seal (CS) Plan 75 Arrangement 2 w/ Containment Seal (CS) Plan 76 Arrangement 2 w/ Containment Seal (CS) Gas Barrier Seals Plan 74 Arrangement 3, Non-Contacting (NC) Seals3

API 682 2nd Edition API 682 New Piping Plans Plan 53a (A.4.12)

Arrangement 3, Contacting Wet (CW) Seals3 Dual Pressurised (Double) Seals Utilises direct nitrogen blanket for pressure due to nitrogen entrainment in the barrier liquid API 682 limits the maximum nitrogen pressure to 10 barg, JC recommendation is maximum nitrogen pressure 21 barg, as long as the barrier fluid temperature is less than 120C API 682 10barg, 120 21barg,

API 682 2nd Edition API 682 New Piping Plans Plan 53b (A.4.12)

Arrangement 3, Contacting Wet (CW) Seals 3 Dual Pressurised (Double) Seals Utilizes bladder accumulator for pressure Bladder eliminates nitrogen contact with barrier liquid Allows for higher pressure applications

TI B O BI
When Specified

F B O

BI

Configuration Includes: Accumulator Pressure Indicator Pressure Switch Heat Exchanger

API 682 2nd Edition API 682 New Piping Plans Plan 53c (A.4.12)

Arrangement 3, Contacting Wet (CW) Seals3 Dual Pressurised (Double) Seals Utilizes piston pot for pressure

F BO When Specified

BO

BI

BI

API 682 2nd Edition API 682 New Piping Plans Plan 53c (A.4.12)

Piston pot eliminates nitrogen contact with barrier liquid Piston provides constant pressure ratio to seals (1.1:1)

Allows for higher pressure applications Configuration includes: Piston pot Pressure indicator Pressure switch Heat exchanger Level switch

Spring

Barrier Fluid Temperature (7.3.4.1.1)

Liquid barrier systems shall be designed such that that maximum temperature differential between the barrier fluid inlet and outlet immediately adjacent to the seal chamber is:

8 degree C for glycol /water or diesel barrier fluids; and 8 16 degree C for mineral oil barrier fluid 16

API 682 2nd Edition API 682 New Piping Plans

Plan 11 with Plan 53

Arrangement 3 may use Plan 11 & 53 3 11&53 Improved heat transfer Reverse pressure capability Back to Back seals uses Plan 5353

API 682 2nd Edition API 682 New Piping Plans Plan 72 (A.4.16)

Arrangement 2, w/ Containment Seal (CS) 2 Dual Un-Pressurised (Tandem) Seals Dry-running secondary containment seal Low pressure nitrogen sweep (purge) Sweeps primary leakage to collection system Dilutes primary leakage to lower emission levels Used in conjunction with Plan 75 or 76 7576

CSV:

containment seal vent containment seal Drain GBI: gas buffer inlet FIL: coalescing filter
CSD:

API 682 2nd Edition API 682 New Piping Plans Plan 74 (A.4.17)

Arrangement 3, Non-contacting Seals (NC) 3 Dual Pressurised (Double) Gas Barrier Seals Nitrogen gas barrier 1.75 - 2 bar (25-30 psi) above seal chamber pressure1.752bar Zero emissions Essentially a T2800 panel 2800

GBI: gas buffer inlet GBO: gas buffer outlet (NC) (used only to depressurize)

API 682 2nd Edition API 682 New Piping Plans Plan 75 (A.4.18)

Arrangement 2, w/ Containment Seal (CS) 2 Dual Un-Pressurised (Tandem) Seals Dry-running secondary Condensate collection reservoir (8.6.5.2) Used when primary seal leakage may condense ( does not completely vaporize) May be used in conjunction with Plan 72 72

API 682 2nd Edition API 682 New Piping Plans Plan 76 (A.4.19)

Arrangement 2, w/ Containment Seal (CS) 2 Dual Un-Pressurised Seals (Dry-running secondary) Primary leakage routed to flare or vent Used when primary seal leakage will not condense (completely vaporizes) Essentially a 48SC or 28LD panel leakage detection May be used in conjunction with Plan 72 72

O O PTFE

0.3/0.6 m Ra () 0.2/1.2 m Ra () 0.8/1.2 m Ra () 0.8/1.2 m Ra () 0.1/0.25 m Ra () 0.8

1.5 x 20

2 0.05mm FIM.

3 0.08mm FIM

4 10mm 0.005mm* (* 0.002mm )

5 0.13mm FIM.

0.8

0.8

1.5 x 20

2 0.05mm FIM.

4 10mm 0.005mm

3 0.08mm FIM.

5 0.13mm FIM.

< = 0.002 (0.05 mm) < = 0.003 (0.075 mm)

< = 0.1 mm (0.0039)

- - -

Cartridge Seals
4 simple installation steps
having positioned the shaft and carried out equipment checks, 1 slide seal cartridge onto the shaft 2 tighten gland nuts evenly 3 tighten drive collar set screws 4 remove setting spacers

1 2 3 4

Seal Faces Loss of Flexibility Secondary Sealing Elements Material Compatibility

Face Damage: Wear out:

New Worn

Face Damage: Heat Checking :

Loss of Flexibility: Hangup :

Leakage decomposes or solidifies and locks primary ring in place

Secondary Sealing Element Problems

Cuts overheated compatibility with fluid

Material Compatibility of Faces and Hardware

Corrosion Wear

No Seal Can Handle All Applications