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The Use of Mechanical Seals in Petrochemical Industry
2024-03-15

The Use of Mechanical Seals in Petrochemical Industry

Mechanical seals are commonly used in pumps and rotating facilities to avoid leakages of fluids and gases. Mechanical shaft seals are often an ideal sealing solution for harsh conditions such as high temperatures, high pressures, high viscosity (sediment), high speeds, large diameters, and many others. Mechanical seals are very common in the petrochemical industry as they help prevent the escape of hazardous or valuable fluids that could be a potential threat once leaked.

 

The materials used by mechanical seals should be resistant to specific chemicals and temperatures found in the petrochemical processes. Common materials for the sealing component includes Carbon, S-Sic, SUS 316 for metal parts, EPDM, FFKM. Mechanical seals are widely used in pumps handling various fluids in the petrochemical industry including corrosive and abrasive substances. They prevent leaks in processes involved hydrocarbons, acids and other hazardous chemicals. Some challenges and considerations for the design of mechanical seals include harsh operating conditions like high temperatures, pressure and aggressive chemicals. Abrasive particles in the fluid could potentially accelerate wear on the sealing faces, emphasizing the need for robust materials and designs.  

 

  1. Maintenance and Reliability:
  •   •    Regular maintenance and monitoring of mechanical seals are essential to ensure their proper functioning and to identify potential issues before they lead to failure.
  •   •    Reliability is critical in the petrochemical industry, and mechanical seals must be designed and installed with a focus on minimizing downtime and maximizing operational efficiency.
  •   •    Petrochemical processes usually involve with corrosive and abrasive chemical that could degrade the equipment over time which requires mechanical seals that are resistant to the related corrosives media. 

 

  1. Compliance:
  •   •    Mechanical seals used in the petrochemical industry must often comply with industry standards and regulations to ensure safety and environmental protection.
  •   •    Mechanical seals can as well contribute to environmental protection by minimizing hazardous emissions which can be harmful for both human and environment. This can be performed through its ability to prevent leakages and help petrochemical plants comply with environmental regulations.
  •   •    The proper selection, installation, and maintenance of mechanical seals are crucial for the safe and efficient operation of petrochemical processes. Consulting with experts and following industry best practices is essential in this regard.

 

  1. Customization for specific applications
  •   •    Different petrochemical processed have unique operating requirement such as, cyclical changes in pressure and temperature, varying fluid compositions, acidity media…etc. Mechanical seals can be customized to meet specific needs to ensure sealing performance and safety.
  •   •    With a wide variety of process equipment in the petrochemical industry, mechanical seals should have the flexibility to adapt to different operating conditions.

 

Overall mechanical seals play an important role in the petrochemical industry. Without the proper installation, design, maintenance, manufacturing, the consequences of leakages could be hazardous for human health and the environment. Parjet’s ParSeries engineering team has rich experiences in the petrochemical field which can provide reliable sealing solutions for your application.

 

If you would like to make any inquiries, please contact us here.  

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