6. Pump Sealing - Piping

1 Alfa Laval Pump Handbook 67 Pump sealing6. Pump SealingThis section covers the shaft Sealing devices used on Alfa LavalCentrifugal, Liquid Ring and Rotary Lobe pumps . In addition to shaftseals, other proprietary seals not detailed in this section, such as o rings and lip seals can be found on the pumphead and gearcase. A Pump is only as good as it s shaft seal A successful pump application largely depends upon the selectionand application of suitable fluid Sealing devices. Just as we know thatthere is no single pump that can embrace the diverse range of fluidsand applications whilst meeting individual market requirements andlegislations, the same can be said of fluid Sealing devices. This isclearly illustrated by the large range of shaft seal arrangements, bothmechanical and packed gland, that are available to the Sealing devices used in Alfa Laval Centrifugal, Liquid Ring andRotary Lobe pumps include: Mechanical Seals (see ).

2 -Single externally internally externally mounted for external internally mounted for product recirculation orexternal Double back to back with the inboard seal externallymounted for flush. Packed Glands (see ).- Both with and without lantern rings for section describes the principle of pump Sealing and illustrates the differentsealing arrangements used on Alfa Laval pump ranges. A general seal selectionguide is included, together with various operating Alfa Laval Pump HandbookPump sealingCentrifugal and Liquid Ring pumps only have one shaft seal whereasRotary Lobe pumps employ a minimum of two shaft seals (one pershaft). Generally all shaft seals are under pressure with the pressuregradient across the seal being from pumped fluid to atmosphere. Theexceptions will be single internally mounted or double seals where theproduct recirculation (single internally mounted only) or flush pressureis greater than the pump pressure, resulting in the pressure gradientbeing seals meet the majority of application demands and ofthese, single and single flushed seals are most frequently application of double mechanical seals is increasing to meet bothprocess demands for higher sanitary standards and legislationrequirements, particularly those related to majority of proprietary mechanical seals available from sealmanufacturers have been designed for single shaft pump concepts,such as Centrifugal and Liquid Ring pumps .

3 These pump types do notimpose any radial or axial constraints on seal design. However onRotary Lobe type pumps the need to minimise the shaft extensionbeyond the front bearing places significant axial constraints. If thiswere extended, the shaft diameter would increase introducing a radialconstraint - because shafts on a rotary lobe pump are in the sameplane, the maximum diameter of the seal must be less than the shaftcentres. Most designs therefore can only accommodate bespoke or customised seal design. This is not done to take any commercialadvantage but it is as a consequence of the rotary lobe pump Laval Pump Handbook 69 Pump sealingSelection of shaft seals is influenced by many variables: Shaft diameter and speed Fluid to be pumpedTemperature- effect on materials?- can interface film be maintained?Viscosity- drag on seal faces?- clogging of seal restricting movement?- can interface film be established andmaintained?

4 - stiction at seal faces?Fluid behaviour- does product shear, thin, thicken or work - balling/carbonise?- can interface film be established andmaintained?Solids-size?- abrasiveness?- density?- clogging of seal restricting movement?- can interface film be established andmaintained?Thermal stability- what, if any change?Air reacting- what, if any change? Pressure- within seal limits?- fluctuations?- peaks/spikes?- cavitation? Services- flush?- pressure?- temperature?- continuity? Health and Safety- toxic?- flammable?- explosive?- corrosive?- irritant?- carcinogenic?There is often more than onesolution and sometimes noideal solution, therefore acompromise may have to Alfa Laval Pump HandbookPump Mechanical Seals - GeneralMechanical seals are designed for minimal leakage and represent themajority of Centrifugal, Liquid Ring and Rotary Lobe pump seal selection must consider: The materials of seal construction, particularly the sealingfaces and elastomers.

5 The mounting attitude to provide the most favourableenvironment for the seal. The geometry within which it is to be mechanical seal typically comprises of: A primary seal, comprising of stationary and rotary seal rings. Two secondary seals, one for each of the stationary androtary seal rings. A method of preventing the stationary seal ring from rotating. A method of keeping the stationary and rotary seal ringstogether when they are not hydraulically loaded whenpump is stopped. A method of fixing and maintaining the working Primary SealComprises of two flat faces, one rotating and one stationary, whichsupport a fluid film, thus minimising heat generation and subsequentmechanical used material combinations are:Carbon-Stainless SteelCarbon-Silicon CarbideCarbon-Tungsten CarbideSilicon Carbide-Silicon CarbideTungsten Carbide-Tungsten CarbideAlfa Laval Pump Handbook 71 Pump sealingCarbonStainless SteelSilicon CarbideTungsten CarbideCarbonStainless SteelSilicon CarbideTungsten CarbideNBREPDMFPMPTFEMVQFEPThe Secondary SealThis is required to provide a seal between the primary seal rings andthe components with which they interface.

6 Also it can provide acushion mounting for the seat ring to reduce any effects of mechanicalstress shock of secondary seal are: O rings Cups Gaskets WedgesFor Alfa Laval pump ranges the O ring is the most commonly type ofsecondary seal used. It s simple and versatile concept is enhancedwith the following comprehensive material options: NBR EPDM FPM PTFE MVQ FEP Kalrez Chemraz These are fully described in section Seal Ring Anti-RotationIdeally the selected device listed below will also allow for axialresilience. Flats Pins Elastomer resilience Press fit ClampsRotary Seal Ring DriveIdeally the selected device listed below will allow for a degree of axialmovement. Spring Bellows Physical positioning Elastomer resilienceMechanical Seal Face/ O Ring Material AvailabilityTable Face Seal FaceSeal O RingPump TypePump RangeCentrifugal/LKH Liquid ringLKH-Multistage LKHP-High Pressure LKHSP LKHI LKH-Ultra Pure MR Rotary LobeSRU SX (see note) Note: SX1 pump has tungsten carbide seal faces, not silicon carbide seal Alfa Laval Pump HandbookPump sealingWorking LengthThe ideal design should eliminate/minimise possibilities for error byincorporating: Physical position step on shaft Grub screwsPrinciple of Mechanical Seal OperationThe function of the assembly is a combination of the extreme primaryseal face flatness and applied spring force.

7 Once the pump isoperational, hydraulic fluid forces combine with seal design balance, which push the seal faces together. This reduces the fluidinterface thickness to a minimum whilst increasing pressure drop,therefore minimising pumped fluid Principle of mechanical sealoperationInterface filmOne of the main causes ofseal failure is for the sealworking length not beingcorrectly seal ring O-ring2 Stationary seal ring3 Rotary seal ring4 Rotary seal ring O-ring5 Wave spring6 Drive ring7 Grub screwFig. Typical single mechanical sealused in rotary lobe pumpsFig. Typical single mechanical sealused in centrifugal pumps3241 Pump shaft5 Drive ringImpellerItemDescription1 Stationary seal ring2 Rotary seal ring3 Spring4 Stationary seal ringO-ring5 Rotary seal ring O-ringWorking length7 Aprox. 1 mAlfa Laval Pump Handbook 73 Pump sealingThe gap between the seal ring surfaces is enlarged to clarify theprinciple of mechanical Seal MountingMost mechanical seals can be mounted externally or Mechanical SealsThe majority of mechanical seals used on Alfa Laval pump ranges aremounted externally, meaning that all the rotating parts of themechanical seal ( part of the rotary seal ring, spring, drive ring etc)are not in contact with the fluid to be pumped.

8 The externallymounted mechanical seal is considered easy to clean, as only theinside of the stationary and rotary seal rings and there associated o rings are in contact with the fluid being pumped. The R00 typemechanical seals used on the SX rotary lobe pump range, describedin , are an exception to this, as it is the outside and not the insideof the seal components that is in contact with the fluid being mounted seals have a lower pressure rating than theequivalent seal mounted Typical external shaft sealSpring forceFluidpressureRotating seal ringStationaryseal ringFig. Principle of mechanical sealoperationRotating partsFluid74 Alfa Laval Pump HandbookPump sealingInternal Mechanical SealsSome mechanical seals are mounted internally, meaning that most ofthe rotating parts are in contact with the fluid being pumped. Theinternal mechanical seal is designed with sufficient clearance aroundthe rotating parts so that it can be cleaned as efficiently as possibleand can withstand relatively high fluid the Alfa Laval pump ranges, both the externally and internallymounted types of mechanical seal are available as single and singleflushed versions.

9 The externally mounted mechanical seal onAlfa Laval pump ranges is also available as a double flushedmechanical seal for some pump models. The typical single, singleflushed and double flushed mechanical seal arrangements aredescribed as follows:Single Mechanical SealThis is the simplest shaft seal version, which has already beendescribed previously in this section. This seal arrangement is generallyused for fluids that do not solidify or crystallise in contact with theatmosphere and other non-hazardous duties. For satisfactoryoperation it is imperative the seal is not subjected to pressuresexceeding the maximum rated pressure of the pump. Also the pumpmust not be allowed to run dry , thus avoiding damage to the sealfaces, which may cause excessive seal applications are listed below, but full product/fluid andperformance data must be referred to the seal supplier for verification. Alcohol Animal Fat Aviation Fuel Beer Dairy Creams Fish Oil Fruit Juice Liquid Egg Milk Shampoo Solvents Vegetable Oil Water YoghurtFig.

10 Typical internal shaft sealRotating partsFluidAlfa Laval Pump Handbook 75 Pump sealingSingle Flushed Mechanical SealThe definition of flush is to provide a liquid barrier or support to theselected seal arrangement. This seal arrangement is generally usedfor any of the following conditions: where the fluid being pumped can coagulate, solidify orcrystallise when in contact with the atmosphere. when cooling of the seals is necessary dependent upon thefluid pumping seal arrangement used on externally mounted seals requires thesupply of liquid to the atmospheric side of the mechanical seal to flushthe seal area. The characteristics of the fluid being pumped and theduty conditions will normally determine if a flush is necessary. Whenselecting a flushing liquid you must ensure that it is chemicallycompatible with the relevant materials of pump/seal construction andfully compatible with the fluid being pumped.