Mechanical Sealing Solutions for Vaporising Fluids in Refinery Applications 

Vaporizing fluids are present in different refinery and petrochemical applications, mainly called light hydrocarbons. In specific pump applications, the required vapor pressure margins in the mechanical seal cavity could not be provided. Looking into the sealing gap of a mechanical seal where frictional heat is generated, these fluids will start vaporization and reduce the required liquid-lubrication film between the seal faces. We will describe 2 typical sealing solutions to overcome this topic and present the state of the art sealing solutions using dual unpressurized seal arrangements (2CW-CS) in combination with Piping Plans 72 and 75/76.