Mechanical Seal :

Basic and Selection

Kirit Domadiya
 Sealing and leakages

Static Sealing → Gasket, O ring

Dynamic Sealing → Gland packing, Mechanical Seal

Bearing housing sealing → Lip seal, Labyrinth, Bearing isolator

Poll Q 1 - Which is the most probable contributing
factor for majority of pump issue or failure ?

a.Bearing or lubrication
b.Mechanical Seal or seal plan
c.Impeller or wear ring
d.Shaft or Coupling
Mechanical Seal is a most important integral part of pump
Centrifugal Pump
Leakage path
 Prevalent Dynamic Sealing methods

Source
:Sundyne
HMD

Gland packing, Normal leak 2-20 drops / minute Sealless pump – Zero leak

Permissible
leakage 6 cc/hr
Or 1000 ppm
vapor
Pusher type Mechanical Seal Non-pusher type Mechanical Seal
Leak paths

1.St. Box and Gland

2.Gland and mating ring
3.Sleeve and Mechanical Seal
4.Seal faces

Source : Flowserve
 Seal face lubrication and Leakage Rate
(rough estimate)
Q →leakage rate in m3/sec
b → Face contact width in mm
h → gap height in μm
ΔP → pressure differential in Pa
η → dynamic viscosity in Pa·s
Stable liquid lube film must be
maintained between the seal faces
at all the times.

Source : Hydraulic Institute

Face flatness
 Poll Q 2 - Mechanical seal faces gap during
normal operation is…

a.Less than 0.2 micron

b.O.2 to 2 micron
c.2-5 micron
d.More than 5 micron
 Seal Selection
• Fluid Characteristics
• Operating pressure
• Operating temperature
• Acceptable leakage rate (Environment norms)
• Back up arrangement
• Utility requirement
• Cost
Balanced Vs Unbalanced

Source : Eagleburgmann
 Pusher Vs Non-Pusher

• Pusher Seal – Face closing force

applied by Dynamic secondary seal,
mostly O ring, and spring
• Non-pusher (Bellow) – Face closing
force by bellow assembly.
For high temperature > 176 C
application or vapor of process fluid
tends to solidify and crystalize at
atmospheric condition

Source : Flowserve
 Seal arrangement
• Single – For simple application
where containment or back-up
arrangement is not required
• Duel – Tandem – Safety back up
and emission control For light HC,
hazardous or toxic service
• Duel – Back-to-back – Zero
emission, Isolate process, light HC,
dirty, abrasive, vacuum service
• Duel – Face to Face - Zero
emission, Isolate process, light HC,
dirty, abrasive, vacuum service
Material Selection : Primary and secondary sealing

PV Limit for face material Secondary Seal – Operating temperature

Seal Cavity
Pressure
 Poll Q 3 – Which is the preferred seal face
material combination as per API 682 ?

a.Carbon Vs Ceramic
b.Carbon Vs TC
c.Carbon Vs SiC
d.Such preference is not there in API 682
 Mechanical Seal API Plan
• For Primary Seal – 03, 11, 12, 13, 21, 23, 31, 32, 41
• Between the seal – 52, 53A/B/C, 54
• Quenching / leak detection – 62, 65, 66
• Gas seal plan – 72, 75, 76
 Poll Q4 – Which API seal plan is the best
suitable for boiler feed pump ?

a.Plan 11
b.Plan 21
c.Plan 23
d.Plan 31
Installation Check Point

Material / Application Recommended flatness Remarks

Carbon, Glass filled 2-3 light band relax after lapping. Although lapped to less than one
Teflon light band, readings be high as three light band. These
faces return to flat once they are placed against a hard-
flat face.

Tungsten carbide 1-2 light band

Silicon Carbide 1-2 light band

Ceramic 1-2 light band

High pressure > 40 bar Within 1 light band

Cryogenic Should be lapped at cryogenic temperature

Thank You