Sealing of Pumps

Seal is a vital part of any pressurized / non-pressurized system. It is

installed to prevent leakage
A system can fail completely because of one critical leak and can
cause serious safety / fire hazard threat

Sealing Devices
Sealing Devices

Static Seals

Gaskets

Dynamic Seals

Sealants

Direct contact

Contact Seals

Clearance Seals
Mechanical Seals

Compression Packing
Shaft Seals
O-rings

Labyrinth
Bushing Seals
Ferromagnetic Seals

Where Seal Is Installed ?

Seal Leak

Leakage Paths In Mechanical Seal

4

Stuffing Box

Gland Plate
3

2
1

Leakage Paths In A Mechanical Seal

Simple Mechanical Seal

Basic Components of Mechanical Seal

Types of Mechanical Seal

Mechanical Seal

Single Seal

Double Seal
Tandem

Single Inside

Single Outside

Back To Back

Face To Face

Single Inside Mechanical Seal

Single Spring Seal

Multiple Spring Seal

Multiple Spring

O-Ring

Drive Lug

Non-Pusher (Bellow) Seal

Double Tandem Seal

Double Back To Back Seal

Single Seal Vs Double Seal

Double seals are safety seals. These are used when we dont want process fluid to
come in contact with atmosphere. Double seals are normally used for :
Flashing liquids (having vapor pressure > 1 atm)
Flammable liquids at auto-ignition temperature (Catch fire when comes in
contact with atmosphere)
Toxic liquids (Hazardous for health. Like H 2S, Benzene etc.)

Materials : Face Combination

Carbon Silicon Carbide
Most widely used
Self lubricating carbon face (Reduces friction and hence heat generation)
Compatible with extremely wide range of temperature and corrosive environment

Silicon Carbide - Silicon Carbide

Corrosive environment
Abrasive environment
Halogen service (halogens can attack all form of carbon)

Silicon Carbide - Tungsten Carbide

Hot oil service
Slurry service
Less viscous service
Halogen service (halogens can attack all form of carbon)

Materials : Elastomer
Fluoroelastomer (VITON)
Most widely used
Excellent Resilience
Can be used upto 204C
Compatible with extremely wide range of temperature and corrosive environment

Perfluoroelastomer (KALREZ, CHEMRAZ)

Good Resilience
Can be used upto 290C
Compatible with H2S service

Flexible Graphite
Can be used upto 480C

PTFE
Excellent chemical resistance
Low resilience

Environment Control
Temperature Control
Flushing
Jacket cooling

Pressure Control
Flushing

Dirty Environment Control

Flushing
Throat Restriction Devices

Seal Flushing
Seal flushing is provided to control the stuffing box environment. It can be achieved by:
1.

Injecting high pressure process liquid from pump discharge (through cooler/orifice etc)

2.

Closed circulation of stuffing box liquid through cooler

3.

Injecting external clean fluid at higher pressure and low temperature

For the above mentioned purpose, different piping plans are required which are known as FLUSHING PLANS

Plan 11

Plan 13

Plan 21

Plan 23

Plan 32
Protections:
Flow Measurement
Pressure Indication

Plan 52
Protections:
High Pressure Alarm (PSH)
High Level Alarm (LSH)

Plan 53A
Protections:
Low Pressure Alarm (PSL)
Low Level Alarm (LSL)

Plan 53B
Protections:
Low Pressure Alarm (PSL)

Plan 62

Plan 76
Protections:
High Pressure Alarm (PSH)

Probable Failures
Operations
Dry running
Cavitation
Vaporization of fluid
Dirt/Particulate in fluid
Corrosive/erosive components in process fluid

Systems
Improper functioning of Sub-Systems
Clogged cooler
Pumping ring failure
Orifice choking
Leakage

Design and Materials

Improper design
Wrong selection of materials

Probable Failures
Skill
Assembly mistake

Equipment Condition
Vibrations
Bearing condition etc.

Monitoring of Seals
1.

Inlet and outlet temperature of sealing fluid

2.

Temperature and flow of cooling water

3.

Pressure and flow of seal flushing plan

4.

Levels and pressures of reservoirs

5.

Condition of buffer/barrier fluid

Thank You