The Role Of Off-Design Pump Operation On Mechanical Seal Performance

Abstract

Field experience indicates that a high percentage of centrifugal pumps in industrial applications are not operated at their best efficiency point as related to product flow. Dry running, gas ingestion, vibration, cavitation, and internal recirculation are often the consequences of such off-design operation and are regarded as detrimental to the life and performance of end-faced operating conditions on mechanical seal performance has been documented in literature. A test program documented temperature rise at the seal faces and damage to seal faces, secondary seals, and seal hardware during various off-design pump operations. Results provide users with a selection guide to aid in identifying mechanical seal designs, seal chamber configurations, and environmental controls that withstand off-design pump operation and improve mean time between planned maintenance.