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Understanding the Role of Mechanical Seals in Preventing Pump Leakage
Introduction
There’s nothing more disappointing than detecting leakage and improper pump functioning. Well, if you think there’s nothing to do with mechanical seals, you are mistaken.
Mechanical seal failure is one of the major reasons behind pump downtime and leakage. Pump seals are crucial components in pump systems that help prevent fluid leaks and keep contaminants out.
Due to its widespread usage, mechanical seals are available in various designs and sizes to efficiently detect fluid leakage, control the seal environment and lubricate secondary seals. Each type has its features and unique design making it suitable for different pump types and specific applications.
If you are wondering how mechanical seals work and prevent leakage, continue reading to find the answer. This blog highlights the role of mechanical seals in preventing pump leakage, problems caused by mechanical seal failure, reasons and types of mechanical seal failure, and benefits of mechanical seals.
Types Of Mechanical Seals In Pumps
There are many types of mechanical seals that come in different designs, arrangements, and abilities to disperse the hydraulic force action.
For instance, the balanced seal is used for high-pressure and extreme operating conditions, and the unbalanced seal is used for low to medium-pressure applications.
Another mechanical seal i.e. stationary seal, is used where the spring seal component remains stationary in the plate of the gland.
It’s crucial to select the appropriate seal based on pumping conditions for long seal life.
If you want to get detailed information on different types of mechanical seals, read this → Different Types Of Mechanical Seals For Centrifugal Pumps - A Detailed Overview.
How Does Mechanical Seal Prevent Pump Leakage?
Mechanical seal plays a key role in preventing fluids from leaking into the area surrounding mechanical equipment. It is used to form a barrier between the motor and pump volute to protect the motor against leakage.
Industrial pumps like centrifugal pumps and submersible pumps are susceptible to the dangers of leakage as they handle highly corrosive and clogging waste solids.
Mechanical seals cover the point of a rotating shaft of these pumps where fluids enter or exit and create a sealing interface to prevent leakage. However, a minimal amount of liquid might escape the sealing interface which generally acts as a seal lubricant and evaporates from heat in due course.
Problems Caused By Mechanical Seal Leakage
Uncontrolled and excessive leaks lead to multiple problems like cleaning hassles, pump downtime, excessive pump repair cost, and waste product generation.
In addition to this, fluid leakage often causes corrosion of the casings, sleeves, and bearings which later degrade the construction material of the pump. Such problems are the biggest reason behind pump failure and impede proper pump functioning.
Whether the reason behind mechanical seal failure is installation error, wear, design failure, or unrelated error, resolving these problems promptly improves uptime and reduces overall operational costs.
Common Reasons Behind Mechanical Seal Failure & Leakage
Mechanical seal failure can happen for multiple reasons, it can be due to technical malfunctions, operational issues, failure of seal components, or maybe breakdowns due to system design or improper installation can be the reasons. Below are some of the main reasons:
Wrong Seal Selection:
Selecting the wrong seal can affect the pump's performance and can often result in damage and costly repairs. Many factors need to be considered while choosing the seal for your pump, such as operating conditions, non-process activities, the potential for off-design excursions, caustic flushes, etc.
It’s important to select the seal material compatible with the fluid inside the pump to avoid deterioration, which leads to fluid leakage.
Moreover, selecting the right type of mechanical seal is also crucial; for example, an unbalanced mechanical seal is highly suitable for low-pressure applications, whereas a balanced seal performs better in high pressure at high-temperature operating conditions.
Wear And Tear:
Mechanical seal parts should be resistant to chemicals and meet the physical demand of the pumping process. If this is not the case, the seal part's working life will be reduced and cause seal failure.
However, as time passes, bearing wear is natural to occur due to friction caused by pump shaft rotation. Upgrading or using high-quality bearings decreases the wear by load pressure and improves the seal lifespan.
Dry Running:
If the pump is operated without fluid, the internal pump parts that rely on liquid for cooling and lubrication get exposed to increased friction without enough lubrication. This dry running causes seal failure.
Dry running occurs when restarting the pump without liquid after maintenance. It can cause heat cracks or blisters, melted or burned seals, and can also experience thermal shock, which can shatter mechanical seals.
Improper Installation:
Incorrect installation of the mechanical seal is the most common cause of seal failure and leakage. If mechanical seals are not installed properly, as per the installation instructions, it can not only damage the seal but can cause harm to other parts of the pump as well.
Improper installation seal installation can happen due to the use of incorrect piping connections, not tightening gland bolts and setting screws properly, or damaging the seal faces.
Shocks And Vibrations:
Excess vibration due to improper alignment, pump imbalance, etc., gives rise to more fluid leaks through the seal, which can result in seal damage or shorten their service life.
Above are the most common causes of mechanical seal failure; however, to add more, pressure drops or spikes, poor lubrication, pumping slurry, inadequate flush plan, and worn shaft are also some of the main reasons that can damage the seal and increase fluid leakage.
Benefits Of Mechanical Seals
- Reduced Friction And Loss Of Power
- Zero Product Leakage
- Elimination Of Excessive Wear
- Low Maintenance
- Cost Effective
- Long Service Life
Ending Note
Mechanical seals have become the most trusted and preferred sealing method for pump manufacturers due to their high efficiency, performance, and flexibility to suit a wide variety of applications.
If you are interested in installing leak proof mechanical seals for your pump, look no further than Popular Pumps Seals.
Being a leading mechanical seal manufacturer and supplier in India, we provide the best quality mechanical seals for pumps that work relentlessly year after year.
Contact us now to get your free quote.
