SEAL

FUNDAMENTAL
S ( BASIC)

BPS PENGOLAHAN PERTAMINA

M. Sodik
CONFIDENTIAL
- INTERNAL -
 OBJECTIVES:

• How mechanical seals

function.

• Identify the five

components common to
all mechanical seals.

• Categorize seals using

the various
classification methods.

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 Concepts of Mechanical Seals

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 The Basic Sealing Problem:
Preventing Leakage

Environment Vessel
Wall

Shaft

Process
Fluid
Leakage

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 Packing

Environment Vessel
Wall

Shaft

Process
Fluid
Leakage

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 Packing vs. Mechanical Seals

 Is not a seal but rather a restricting device. Requires

leakage or it will burn.
 Will groove and wear shafts and sleeves.
 High horsepower load to overcome friction.
 Product loss.
 Requires large amounts of water.
 Requires maintenance time and downtime for installations
and packing adjustments.
 Equipment damaged and destroyed from leakage.

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 Packing vs. Mechanical Seals
(con’t.)
 Will seal with invisible leakage. On difficult applications the
leakage ratio between seals and packing is 1 to 100 or better.
 Seals have been known to run 8 to 10 years without
failure.
 Monetary savings from little to no product loss, water
savings and energy savings.
 Little maintenance required after initial installation.
 Seals offer better safety when sealing potentially
hazardous materials.

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 The Concept of an
End Face Mechanical Seal

Environment Vessel
Wall

ShSahfatft

Process
Fluid

Leakage

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 Required Features

Small axial clearance

Shaft
Shaft
Movement

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Small axial clearance
Self adjusting

Shaft
Movement
 Desired Features of a Seal

Long Life
Low Leakage
Easy Maintenance
Low Cost

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 A Flexible Seal

Hydrostatic Loading Secondary

Sealing Elements Replaceable
Parts

Mating
Ring

Primary Ring Secondary Sealing Element

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 An Example of a Complete Seal

Primary Ring
Snap Ring
Anti-X Ring
O-Ring
Disc O-Ring
Springs
Retainer
Set Screw Mating Ring

Shaft

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 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

5. Auxiliary components to complete seal

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 The Sealing Interface

Shape:
Converging Parallel Diverging

Face
Gap: Separation

Fluid:

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 The Sealing Interface
Non-flashing Flashing

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 The Sealing Interface

Lubrication Purpose: Separation

• Separate surfaces
• Prevent contact of high surface points M M
a a
• Reduce friction/heat generation g g
ni L ni
u
fi br fi
e ic e
d an d
S S
ur ur

Heat

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 Process Fluid Acts as
Lubricant Between Faces
Pump Housing
Gland

Process Fluid

Primary Ring

Inv
isi
ble

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 Process Fluid Acts as
Leakage:
Fluid Evaporates
Upon Reaching
Atmosphere

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 Without Lubrication,
Faces Run Dry And Overheat

Pump Housing
Gland
No Fluid Or Dry
Running

Mating Ring
Primary g
Rin

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 Heat Generation

Rubbing
Viscous Shear

Mating Ring
Primary Ring

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 Heat
Transfer
Conduction
Convection

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 Flushing

Removes Heat
Replenishes Cool Clean Lubricating Liquid

Injection

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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
CONFIDENTIAL
 Primary Seal: Flush
Single Seal Flushing from External Source (API Plan 32)

Discharge

Flow

A
Minimum Pressure
0.3 bar / 5 psi
Above “A”

Suction

Restriction Device
(Bushing)

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

Quench Source

Process Fluid

Restrictional Device (Packing)

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 Classification of Mechanical Seals

Sealing System

Auxiliary Equipment Seal Assembly

Seals Adaptive Hardware

Design
Arrangement/Type
balance ratio
type
face pattern
single
springs
multiple
secondary seals
drive

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 Classification of Seals

Mechanical Seals

Design Features
Arran g ements/Types
Arr angements

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 Design Features

 Balance Ratio

 Face Pattern

 Springs

 Secondary Sealing Element Type

 Drive Mechanism

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Balance Ratio

Balance ratio is used to control the face load.

Balance Ratio

Balance ratio is the ratio of the closing area

to the opening area.

A Ao
c

Closing Area
Balance Ratio =
Opening Area
Balance Ratio

Don’t say “Balance”

Say (and Think) “Balance Ratio!”
Balance Ratio

An Unbalanced Seal

A A
c Fc o
Design Features

Balance Ratio

A Balanced Seal

A Ao
c
 Design Features
CONFIDENTIAL
 Design Features

Balance Ratio

Metal bellows seals are “inherently” balanced at low

pressures. Balance ratio increases at higher pressures.

Balance Ratio < 1

Zero Pressure
Balance Line

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Face Pattern

Most seals have faces that are plain (no pattern) and
are lapped flat.

Mating Primary Ring

Ring

Cross Section Face View

Face Pattern

Plain, Flat Hydropads

Plain, Tapered Spiral Grooves

Springs
 Provide The Initial Closing Force
 Are Very Important At Low Pressures
 Are Not So Important At High Pressures
Springs
 Single
 Multiple
 Bellows
 Wave
Springs
• High Speed Seals Use Stationary Springs
(5000 ft/min Typical Break Point)
Secondary Sealing Element
 Static
 Dynamic
 Mating Ring / Seat Designs

O-Ring L-Nonpinned

Square
Cup Mounted
Section

L-Pinned Clamped-in

CONFIDENTIAL
 O-Ring Design

 Covers greatest range of application requirements for

general services

 A pin may be required to prevent rotation

 Pressures up to 42 bar/600 psig

Temperature range is dependent on

the o-ring elastomer.

CONFIDENTIAL
 Square Section Design

 For use in higher pressure applications where an elastomer o-ring

is desired
 Pressure range is 83 bar/1200 psig
 Using a glass-filled PTFE anti-extrusion ring and optional pin
drive, pressures can be increased over 83 bar/1200 psig
(consult John Crane)
 Temperature range is
dependent on the
o-ring elastomer

CONFIDENTIAL
 L-Pinned Design

 For applications requiring the excellent corrosion resistance

®
of PTFE and high temperature capabilities of Crane-foil

 A pin is required to prevent rotation

 Pressure range:
38 to 83 bar/
550 to 1200 psig.

Crane-foil is a registered trademark of John Crane.

CONFIDENTIAL
 L-Nonpinned Design

 Floating mating ring/seat design covering a wide range of

application requirements for general services.

 Pressure range to 290 psig/20 bar.

 Temperature range is
dependent on the
o-ring elastomer

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 Cup Mounted Design

 Low cost, high production mating ring/seat

 For use in lower temperature applications

 Pressure range to 14 bar/200 psig

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 Clamped-in Design

 Provides the widest temperature and pressure range

 In general chemical application 1 PTFE and
1 reinforced fiber gasket should be used as sealing elements -- if 2
PTFE gaskets are used, 1 gasket must be glass-filled PTFE.

 Pressure Ranges:
 PTFE Gasket:
to 52 bar/750 psig
 Spiral Wound Gasket:
to 83 bar/1200 psig

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 Mating Ring/Seat Materials

 Ni-Resist

 Ceramic

 Tungsten Carbide

 Silicon Carbide

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 Design Features

Secondary Sealing Element

• Pusher Seal

O-ring must
move axially

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Secondary Sealing Element
• Non-Pusher Seal

Static O-Ring
 Secondary Sealing Elements

Elastomeric Half Teflon Welded Metal

Bellows Convolution Bellows Bellows

V Rings U Cup Wedge Encapsulated O-Ring

O-Ring

CONFIDENTIAL
 Pusher vs. Non-Pusher

Pusher vs. Non-Pusher

O-ring secondary seal Bellows secondary seal

must slide along shaft as expands to accommodate
seal face wears face wear. Bellows tail is
stationary against shaft

CONFIDENTIAL
 Gasket Materials
by Temperature Range
 Virgin PTFE
17.7°C to 260°C / 0°F to 500°F
 Spiral Wound
-212°C to 399°C / -350°F to 750°F
 Glass Filled PTFE
-268°C to 260°C / -450°F to 500°F
 Crane-foil®
-17.7°C to 399°C / 0°F to 750°F
 Reinforced Fiber
to 399°C / 750°F

Crane-foil is a registered trademark of John Crane.

CONFIDENTIAL
 Secondary Sealing Elements
Temperature
Range 287°C / 287°C /
550°F 550°F 316°C
600°F 400°
1
3
204°C /
400°F F1°
12

C
25
0°
200°
F
F

CONFIDENTIAL
 Secondary Sealing Elements
D
2
Buna-N
KA P u
P
0 afl T
EPDM on
4° - -18°Cl a F 204°C / t.
-29°C 400°F
2
C - - -9 Viton
rs E A
54°4 4° - e®
fl
as
C 5 0C
- °° 129° is
93°C 65°CC/ z a
F /
C ® re
-5/- gi
0 -2 Vi st
° 40 to er
F 0° n ed
°F & tr
F K ad
alr e
ez m
ar ar
- k
- e
of
400°
212°C re
2 gi A
F/-350°F st sa
4 er hi
Gl
0 ed
as
tra
° de s
C
C m
ar o.
ks Lt
of d.

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 Design Features

Drive Mechanism
 Must Transmit Torque
 Must Allow Axial Movement (Primary Ring)

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 Types of Drive
Mechanisms

Dent Drive Key Drive Set Screw Drive

Pin Drive Snap Ring Drive Slot and Ear

Elastomer Drive Spring Drive

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 Seal Arrangements

 Single
 Inside Mounted
 Outside Mounted

 Multiple
 Pressurized
 Non-Pressurized

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 Single
 Inside Mounted
 Arrangements

 Single
 Outside Mounted

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 Single Seal Arrangement

Gland

Inside Pump Housing

Mounted Mating
Atmosphere
Process Fluid Seal Head Ring

Shaft

Gland
Pump Housing
Outside Atmosphere
Mounted Mating Ring
Process Fluid Seal Head

Shaft

CONFIDENTIAL
 Arrangements

Rotating Head and Rotating Seat

Rotating Head Rotating Seat

Seal Head Seat Seat Seal Head

{
Rotating Stationary Rotating Stationary
{

Advantages Advantages
 Less Radial & Axial Space Requirements  Higher Speed Capability
 Lower Cost  Tolerates Misalignment Better
 Better Cooling
Use Rotating Head Assemblies up to:
 3500 fpm for Single Spring Designs
 5000 fpm for Multiple Spring Designs

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 Seal Arrangements

 Multiple
 Non-Pressurized
 Pressurized

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 Multiple Seal Arrangements

Classical “Tandem”

Process seal Backup seal

Classical “Double”

Process seal Barrier fluid seal

CONFIDENTIAL
 Unpressurized
(Tandem)
Pressure

Process
Buffer Atmosphere
 Pressurized
(Double)
Pressure

Barrier
Process
Atmosphere
 Type 1 Elastomer Bellows
Seal
 Temperature: -40°C to 205°C/-40°F to 400°F
 Pressure: 29 bar g/425 psig

Set Screw Collar Option

CONFIDENTIAL
 Type 1 Design
Features
 Mechanical Drive

 Self-Aligning

 Special Balancing

 Non-Clogging, Single Drive Spring

 Low Drive Torque

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 Type 2 Elastomer Bellows
Seal
 Temperature: -40°C to 205°C/-40°F to 400°F
 Pressure: 29 bar g/425 psig
 Speed: To 6000 rpm

Set Screw
Collar Option

CONFIDENTIAL
 Type 2 Design
Features
 Full Convolution Elastomer Bellows

 Positive Mechanical Drive

 Inherently Pressure Balanced

 Non-Clogging, Single Coil Spring

 Self-Aligning Face

CONFIDENTIAL
 Type 8 Elastomer O-Ring
Seal
 Temperature: -40°C to 205°C/-40°F to 400°F
 Pressure: 24 bar g /350 psig
 Speed: 25 m/s / 5000 fpm

CONFIDENTIAL
 Type 8 Design
Features
 Highly Versatile O-Ring Design

 Mechanical Dent Drive Design

 Compact Design

 Easily Repaired on Site

 Balanced Version Accommodates High Pressure

CONFIDENTIAL
 Type 9 PTFE Wedge
Seal
 Temperature: -212°C to 400°C/-350°F to 750°F
 Pressure: 24 bar g/350 psig
 Speed: 25 m/s / 5000 fpm

CONFIDENTIAL
 Type 9 Design
Features
 Wedge Sealing Member
for Corrosive Fluids

 Compact Design

 Mechanical Dent Drive Design

 Precision Lapped Sealing Faces

 Easily Repaired on Site

 Balanced Design Accommodates High Pressures

CONFIDENTIAL
 Type 20 PTFE Bellows
Seal
 Temperature: -45°C to 121°C/-50°F to 250°F
 Pressure: 10 bar g/150 psig
 Speed: 5 m/s / 1000 fpm

CONFIDENTIAL
 Type 20 Design
Features
 No Metallic Components in Contact with Process Fluid

 Flexible PTFE Bellows Design for Extremely Corrosive

Fluids

 Independent Spring Assembly

 Replaceable Primary Ring

 Multiple Spring Design Standard

CONFIDENTIAL
 Type 21 Elastomer Bellows
Seal
 Temperature: -40°C to 205°C/-40°F to 400°F
 Pressure: 10 bar g/150 psig
 Speed: 13 m/s / 2500 fpm

Alternate Methods

CONFIDENTIAL
 Type 21 Design
Features
 Non-Clogging, Single Coil Spring

 Positive Mechanical Drive

 Lapped Sealing Faces

 Stainless Steel Construction

 Automatically Adjusts Seals Faces

 Elastomer Bellows Convolution

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 Classification of Seal Failures

 Installation

 Machinery Design and Operation

 Seal Design and Operation

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 Failures of Seal Components

 Seal Faces

 Loss of Flexibility

 Secondary Sealing Elements

 Material Compatibility

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 Face Damage: Wearout

New

Worn

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 Face Damage: Heat Checking

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 Loss of Flexibility: Hangup

Leakage decomposes
or solidifies and
locks primary ring in
place

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 Secondary Sealing Element
Problems
Cuts, overheated, or compatibility with fluid

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 Material Compatibility of Faces
and Hardware
Corrosion

Wear

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 Modern Mechanical Seals

Minimize or Prevent Leakage

• CMA/STLE Report
• better performance than older designs
• can meet local and federal requirements
Reliable
Economical
Evolving
• Materials
• Arrangements
• Testing

CONFIDENTIAL
 No Seal Can
Handle All
Applications

CONFIDENTIAL