MECHANICAL SHAFT SEALSMECHANICAL SHAFT SEALSOriginally mechanical seals were developed to overcome the negative issues affiliated with packed stuffing boxes. Simple mechanical seals offered an alternative to fluid leakage; none, least not detectable with the naked eye. They eliminated the need for a routine maintenance schedule as once properly selected and installed they would function without attention until the seal faces themselves wore out which could be years later, versus packing months. While initial cost to purchase a pump with a simple seal may have been higher their were no post installation costs and the return for this investment could be realized immediately with virtually zero product loss over the life of the seal.
As the acceptance of the mechanical seal has grown so has the complexity of the device itself. Mechanical seals have evolved into a highly engineered science permitting use within virtually any application requiring a centrifugal or positive displacement pump. Mechanical seals can handle much higher temperatures and pressures than ever before and can meet zero tolerance fugitive emission standards.
The same care and consideration applied to pump selection is required to ensure optimum mechanical seal life and the seal manufacturer requires the same consideration when providing information regarding an application to ensure proper seal application and selection. As with centrifugal and positive displacement pumps, the vast majority of premature mechanical seal failures are destined from conception.
To promote maximum seal life, and to meet the most stringent environmental and safety issues, mechanical seals can be fitted with numerous combinations of accessories, auxiliary systems, and safety devices to compliment most applications dramatically reducing the potential for catastrophic venting of the pumpage to atmosphere.
Innovative mechanical seal technology provides the pump user a viable alternative to extremely expensive sealless magnetic drive and canned motor pumps that can be application sensitive and user un-friendly.
The following links will guide you through the basic understanding of mechanical seals relating to use within centrifugal pumps and rotary positive displacement pumps. A basic knowledge of mechanical seals is imperative during the pump selection process. It must be understood; the best pump for a given application is rendered useless, should the sealing component(s) be inadequate.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Durametallic Corporation; Kalamazoo, Michigan whose technical assistance and patients during the development of our mechanical seal educational package made these electronic pages possible. Should you have an interest in the complete video based mechanical seal educational package or information relating to our centrifugal and positive displacement pump volumes simply follow the icon's below.
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