Best Practices for Cartridge Mechanical Seal Installations

Abstract

The reliability of a mechanical seal depends on more than the design of the seal itself. It also depends heavily on the practices used to install the mechanical seal into the centrifugal pump or other equipment. The actual installation may occur in a controlled environment such as a factory or repair shop or it may occur out in the field in an installed pump. The people performing the installation range from skilled workers with significant experience with seals to general mechanics who have had little exposure to seals. Regardless of the situation, the steps taken during the installation process set the foundation for the ultimate success of the seal in operation.

Different pump and seal designs may require different installation procedures but there are several key elements that are common across all installations. These include inspection of the equipment, general requirements for equipment condition, preparation for installation, installing the seal, setting the seal drive, removal of setting/shipping fixtures, and connecting the piping plan. While each of the steps is deceptively simple, the ability to identify and correct problems during the installation is critical.