Flushing Plan for High Suction Pressure / High Vapor Pressure

[Tucsido]

I am now evaluating the mechanical seal flush plan for the following condition
- High Suction Pressure : Max. 56 barG
- Sand Content : It is produced water (sand may be present a bit)
- High Vapor Pressure Pumping Liquid : 46 barA
- Vertical Inline Pump Configuration, OH3
Since the suction pressure is very high, higher than the limitation of API682 Cat.3.
Could you please suggest if the Plan 13/31 could be suitable to the application or recommend the most suitably seal plan?

 

[flexibox]

As Produced water is not clean using single seals is rather hit and miss. First of all you need to start with hard faces, then you must coinsider using external spring design because if you use a standard conventional multi spring single seal, you will most likely fail due to hang up. other things to consider using a single seal in your application is venting correctly. Ensure that this is carried out before start up. Having said all this the cyclone separator will only remove so much and you will still end up with fine particles in the seal chamber. In my opinion, with this arrangement you will not achieve long seal life.If you are looking for reliablity then the solution is a dual pressurized seal with APL Plan 53B.
trust this helps

 

[Tucsido]

Agree.
Plan 53B is pretty perfect suit to the application.
But, it is not the price competitive.
Moreover, the complicated of instrumentation and control has come into the picture.
I used to select to API11/31 for one of our end user. That's fine and acceptable with simple plan and a bit of instrumentation.
While considering this, the high suction pressure application. Does it effect to the seal itself?

 

[gyaneshwarp]

If impeller does not have backside wear ring and balancing hole Plan 13 will be OK.