Mechanical seals play an important role in centrifugal pumps when it comes to preventing leakage of fluids. Besides, these also help maintain pump efficiency, manage pressure and temperature, protect the pump from contamination and improve longevity and reliability. VEMC is one of the leading industrial water pump dealers in Mumbai, and in this blog, we talk about the crucial role of mechanical seals in your centrifugal pumps.
How mechanical seals prevent leakage between the rotating shaft and the pump housing
Mechanical seals have two seal faces: one fixed to the pump housing and the other to the rotating shaft. Both faces have smooth finishes to ensure tight sealing and are made of water and chemical-resistant material with low friction properties.
The two seal faces are connected through a spring mechanism which helps keep them together even as the faces wear out over time. A flush or barrier fluid may also be present between the seal faces to prevent the fluid from reaching the seal faces. This improves the longevity of the seals.
Besides the primary seal faces, mechanical seals often also have O-rings, gaskets or elastomers to offer an additional layer of protection against leakage. For proper sealing, the mechanical seals must be installed with precision, the spring aligned correctly and lubricants or barrier fluids used as required.
Types of seals
- Single mechanical seal: These are the simplest mechanical seal types. These are directly exposed to the pump and fluid pressures.
- Double mechanical seals: These have two seal faces with a space between the two which is filled by a barrier or buffer fluid. These are suitable for handling highly valuable or toxic fluids.
- Cartridge seal: These come as a single unit consisting of seal faces, springs etc. in a cartridge. These can be replaced as a single unit without the need to disassemble the pump.
- Split mechanical seal: Disassembly may be quite hectic for large pumps or those installed in small spaces. Split mechanical seals are specially designed for such pumps. They can be installed without removing the pump shaft.
- Component mechanical seal: These are also known as non-cartridge seals and are installed piece by piece. They are often used in custom settings where standard seals may not work.
Seal inspection and replacement
No matter which type of mechanical seal you use, they will wear out over some time. This could have severe implications as it could jeopardise the very functioning of your pumps. The only way to avoid this is to regularly inspect your seals, and replace them as soon as they’re worn out. Damaged seals can reduce the working efficiency of your pumps by causing frequent leakages and malfunctions.
If you want to know more about mechanical seals for your centrifugal pumps, feel free to call us on 022 43436655 or email us at marketing@vemc.co.in. We at VEMC are one of the industrial water pump dealers in Mumbai with over 70 years of experience in pumping.