Seal Plan 53A and 53B
Seal Plan 53A and 53B
(OP)
I am Chemical Engineer working in Petrochemical plant operations for 14 years. At my complexwe have seal plan 53A and 53B for various pumps. Seal pot require Nitrogen. In the event of Nitrogen failure is it suitable to keep the pumps running ?
Thanks.
Regards.
Thanks.
Regards.





RE: Seal Plan 53A and 53B
Generally, Plan 53A is to prevent process fluid from flowing into the seal supply system, and thus atmosphere. Normally, these process fluid could be abrasive, corrosive, polymerizing which might cause failure.
For Plan 53B, seal supply system pressure is maintained by Bladder Accumulator, of which the accumulator will maintain the seal system pressure. Although Plan 53B does not require consistently pressurized by Nitrogen source, but you will have to refill the Accumulator when the accumulator pressure drops.
RE: Seal Plan 53A and 53B
Also it maintains almost constant pressure on Inboard Seal.
RE: Seal Plan 53A and 53B
What about explosion fear if friction gives higher temperature and gas and oxygen mix occurs?
RE: Seal Plan 53A and 53B
RE: Seal Plan 53A and 53B
If it is not tripped, process liquid will get into to seal oil system - if process liquid has grit / solids in it, it will destroy the seal rubbing surfaces in no time. If process liquid has high volatility, the seal could be dry running, resulting in high localised temp at the rubbing surfaces, destroying the seal. Seal oil must also have a suitable viscosity to provide the necessary lubrication on the seal surfaces.