Technical Bulletin

Subject Bulletin No. Page

Rotary Lobe Pump Mechanical Seal Selection 20140021 1/1

Issued by Date
Tony Marshall 24th February 2015
Product Group
SRU, SX, and OptiLobe Pumps

Background

Mechanical seals are precision designed and manufactured products, yet one of the most common
causes of failure in Positive Displacement pump types is due to the malfunction of its mechanical seal.
By design mechanical seals are friction contact devices and can be subjected to a very wide range and
often hostile operating environments. Selecting the correct mechanical seal is imperative to avoid any
seal leakage i.e. mounting attitude, seal face combination and elastomer selection.

‘A pump is only as good as it’s shaft seal’

Remarks / Information

We have received over recent months some claims whereby the mechanical seal has been incorrectly
selected for the particular application. This bulletin shows on page 2 the basic steps to select the
correct mechanical seal but should be used for guidance purposes only.

Obtain all Product/Fluid
and Performance Data
Select Seal Configuration
Select Seal Materials
Select Seal Faces
Is fluid abrasive?
If so, consideration should be given to
hard Silicon Carbide seal faces.
Check viscosity limitations?
Check temperature limitations?
Check chemical compatibility?
Rotary Lobe Pump Mechanical Seal Selection Guide
This should be used for guidance purposes only, as actual seal selections should be verified by the seal suppliers.
Applicable for SRU, SX and OptiLobe pump ranges only where options allow.
‐ Does fluid crystallise? Single Flushed Seal
‐ Is fluid thermo sensitive? Yes
‐ Is fluid close to boiling point?
‐ Will pump run dry?
‐ Is fluid of sticky nature?
No Single Seal
‐ Is fluid hazardous?
‐ Is fluid severely abrasive?
‐ Is pumping temperature very high?
‐ Is fluid highly viscous? Yes
‐ Is aseptic barrier required? Double Flushed Seal
Check temperature Check chemical compatibility?
Select Elastomers
limitations?
Material Temperature Range General Notes
NBR minus 40oC to 100oC max. Resistant to most hydrocarbons, e.g. oil and grease.
Viscosity Seal Face Combination
< 5000 cP Solid Carbon v Stainless Steel Resistant to steam and most food products ‐ not resistant to
EPDM minus 40oC to 150oC max.
Inserted Carbon v Stainless Steel organic and non‐organic oils and fats.
< 25000 cP
Inserted Carbon v Silicon Carbide Resistant to most chemicals ‐ not suitable for fluids such as water,
FPM minus 20oC to 200oC max.
< 150000 cP Silicon Carbide v Silicon Carbide steam, lye, and acid.
> 150000 cP Consider Double Seals Resistant to alcohol, glycol and most food products ‐ not suitable
Silicone minus 50oC to 230oC max.
for steam, inorganic acids, mineral oils and solvents.
FFPM minus 20oC to 250oC max. Resistant to almost all products.
Temperature Seal Face Combination
Inserted Carbon v Stainless Steel
< 150 oC Inserted Carbon v Silicon Carbide
Silicon Carbide v Silicon Carbide
< 200 oC Solid Carbon v Stainless Steel