SETTING MECHANICAL SEALS

By
Er. Laxman Singh Sankhla
B.E.Mech., Chartered Engineer
Jodhpur, India
Mail ID: laxman9992001@yahoo.co.in
SETTING MECHANICAL SEALS.
Mechanical Seals are usually fitted with Transportation/Setting Washers and
Clamps during Transportation and storage.
The purpose of these Transportation/Setting Washers and Clamps is to firmly
hold the Rotating Seal and the Stationary Seal Assemblies together. This
provides an easy method for correctly Setting and Tensioning the Mechanical
Seal prior to service.
The Mechanical Seal must be tensioned to the correct internal spring setting
before the Seal can be placed on active service.
If the spring tension is too weak, the Stationary Mating Ring Seat and the
Rotating Primary Ring Face will part and the seal will leak.
If the spring tension is too heavy, there will be too much closing force applied to
the Rotating Primary Ring Face and the Stationary ring Seat. This will result in
overheating and damage to the Seat and Face and the Seal will leak.
It is critical to the successful installation and operation of a Mechanical Seal
that the Seat and Face are correctly set and tensioned.
The Setting procedure is as follows:
1) Secure the Mechanical Seal to the Stuffing Box. Machine Casing
using the Gland Bolts.
2) Ensure that the Sleeve Drive Head is secured to the Sleeve using
the Grub Screws within the Drive Head.
3) Secure the Drive Head to the Pump Shaft using the Drive Head
Bolts.
4) Finally remove the the Transportation/Setting Clamps or Washers.
5)

Removing the Transportation/Setting Clamps or

Washers as described in this procedure automatically
sets the Mechanical Seal to the correct internal
Spring Tension.