Advanced Mechanical Seals 201 - Demystifying Piping Plans and Support Systems

Abstract

Mechanical seals are a critical component in the operation and reliability of centrifugal pumps and other rotating equipment. While there is a great deal of focus on the fundamentals of mechanical seal design, there is an equally critical need to consider the design and operation of the supporting piping plans. Piping plans are the strategies to improve the environment of the seals, condition the process fluid, collect and detect seal leakage, and control the environment on the atmospheric side of the seal. The definition of standardized piping plans continue to change as technologies develop and new requirements are captured in industry standards. End users need to be fluent in not only the definition and selection of the piping plan but also evaluating the plans for their specific application. This course will focus on the basic definition of seal piping plans used in industry today (including new API 682 4th Edition plans). This will include topics such as definition, commissioning, operation, and troubleshooting. In addition to the basic presentation, attendees will receive a spreadsheet containing many of the standard calculations used in predicting the performance of common piping plans, The course will work through realistic case studies to demonstrate how the basic principles and calculations can work together to give greater insights into the operations of piping plans.