Installing a safe and reliable mechanical seal support system is not an easy feat. The mechanical seal support system regulates the fluid system environment to set process conditions, ensuring process temperature adjustment and leakage control. For system efficiency, each plan needs to be carefully configured with high-quality components to prevent malfunction.
API plans are designed to improve the quality of operation of the seal support system. By customizing these plans, your mechanical seal support system can meet the unique safety requirements required for your operation. To get the best performance out of your system, it’s recommended that you reach out to a local fluid system expert for guidance on design support and to modify your mechanical seal support assembly drawing to fit your specific needs.
Along the process side, in-between, or on the atmospheric side, your seal support assembly will have a unique seal support plan. This will include a flush plan, buffer/barrier fluid plan, quench, and leakage collection plan. When carefully considered, these plans facilitate the efficient performance of your rotating equipment.
These plans allow modification with the addition of strainers, or cyclone separators to reroute the flow of process fluid to the seal chamber with internal or external porting options.
The buffer/barrier fluid plan focuses on the secondary mechanical seal and emphasizes the use of pressurized/unpressurized fluid to reduce the chance of seal damage and process fluid leakage into the atmosphere. The variations of this plan include the following API versions:
In addition to these established plans, in the case where the dual mechanical seal isn’t applicable on the atmospheric side, a dead-end quench system can be established. Typically used with vertical pumps, the quench system prevents ice formation around the seal when working with cold fluid. API Plan 51 and Plan 62 provide variation when the quench system has to be adopted.
Making a design decision about your mechanical seal support is heavily dependent on the process conditions and environment at your facility. Through careful selection of your mechanical seal support plan, you can leverage the full potential of the pumping system at your Alberta facility.
At Edmonton Valve & Fitting, we provide Field Advisory Services to evaluate your specific fluid system needs. Our experts can perform a thorough evaluation of your mechanical seal support system and support the modification of your mechanical seal support assembly drawing whenever required. Along with the customization of the flushing and piping plans, we also offer guidance in the selection and assembly of the right components. With the right recommendations on seal support assembly plans and component selection, the mechanical seal support system at your facility is sure to be safe and efficient.