Mechanical Seals For High Face Speed Applications.

Abstract

The rotating equipment industry's ever-increasing demand for efficient, safe and reliable seal elements has resulted in the application of mechanical seals in turbomachinery at very high face speeds. In addition to the commonly known installation of mechanical seals in fluid handling systems, such as heavy duty centrifugal pumps, applications have been extended in recent years to centrifugal compressors and gas turbines. Mechanical seals in seawater and NGL injection pumps in oilfield applications are operating currently with face speeds up to 50 meters per second (m/s). In some cases, mechanical seals in centrifugal compressors used in the petrochemical industry have exceeded face speeds of 100 m/s. The desirable features unique to mechanical seals-controlled axial forces with low leakage rates and acceptable power consumption-lead to state of the art development in order to meet the needs of efficient, reliable turbomachinery. It is the purpose of this paper to introduce the basic design considerations for high speed mechanical seals in this particular industry.