Mechanical Seal and Support System Considerations for Negative Temperature Hydrocarbon Services: NGL Processing and Ethylene Production Focus

Abstract

There are many challenging mechanical seal applications throughout industry and perhaps none more so than those with negative operating temperatures, more succinctly, a temperature value lower than zero on respective Fahrenheit or Celsius scales. The volatile nature of many process fluids yields the requirement of negative temperature operation so that the fluids may be processed and handled by different types of rotating equipment to achieve a desired result. At the forefront of most equipment selections is the associated method of shaft sealing, and with negative temperature fluids, there are especially unique challenges with applying mechanical seals. The process of selecting mechanical seal types and associated support systems for negative temperature applications requires a thorough evaluation of all aspects associated with functionality and ultimately long term reliability of these installations.