RECOMMENDED SEAL SELECTION PROCEDURE AS PER API 682

START

IDENTIFY SERVICE

SHEET 2
SELECT SEAL CATEGORY

NON HYDROCARBON NON FLASHING HYDROCARBON FLASHING HYDROCARBON

SHEET 3 SHEET 4 SHEET 5

SELECT SEAL TYPE SELECT SEAL TYPE SELECT SEAL TYPE

SHEET 6
SELECT SEAL ARRANGEMENT

SHEET 7 SHEET 8 SHEET 9

SELECT SEAL SELECT SEAL SELECT SEAL
FLUSH & QUENCH FLUSH & QUENCH FLUSH & QUENCH

SHEET 10
SELECT BUFFER OR
BARRIER FLUID AS REQUIRED
(for Seal Arrangement 2 & 3)

END

Basic refinery fluids have been divided into three application groups:
• Non-hydrocarbon – these fluids include water, sour water, caustic, amines, crystallizing fluids,
and some acids
• Non-flashing hydrocarbons – this covers hydrocarbons with a vapor pressure less than 1 bar
(14.5 PSIA)
• Flashing hydrocarbons – This group covers hydrocarbons with a vapor pressure greater than 1 bar
(14.5 PSIA)

Identify Service :
• Identify application (fluid, temperature, pressure, speed, contaminants, etc.)
• Classify fluid as non-hydrocarbon, non-flashing hydrocarbon, or flashing hydrocarbon
• Determine if application is outside the range of the selection criteria
- Over 260ºC (500ºF) or 21 bar (300 PSI) for Category 1 seals
- Over 400ºC (750ºF) or 41 bar (600 PSI) Category 2 and 3 seals
- Surface speeds above 23 m/s (4500 ft/min)
- Vapor pressures over 34 bar (493 PSIA)
- High concentration of solids
- Shafts larger than 110mm (4.3 inches) or smaller than 20mm (0.75 inches)