Mechanical Seal Support Systems

Your mechanical seal support plan or kit should not only lubricate and flush seal faces while controlling pressure and temperature in seal chambers—they should also:

Promote safe operations by design
Be optimized for operator access and maintenance
Be configured for your specific application and process conditions
Incorporate high-quality components to prevent costly leaks
Be designed for ease of installation

Swagelok Netherlands can provide all of the above and more. We adhere to all of the API 682 design standards while providing the flexibility to customize your solution to fit your petrochemical refinery needs. We have the resources and accessibility to support the needs of local refineries in the Netherlands.

When rotating equipment fails, it’s often due to a seal failure. In fact, about 40% of all unscheduled critical pump shutdowns are caused by mechanical seal failures. And shutdowns are often expensive.

"The diagrams... show that shaft seal failure is by far the most common cause of pump system failure. See figures 5.1 and 5.2," writes Grundfos.

Swagelok’s seal plans maximize the life of mechanical seals and the reliability of rotating equipment by maintaining lubrication and pressure with properly conditioned fluid flows.

Designed for reliability and maintenance

Proper start-up and commissioning are critical for reliable operation of mechanical seals and their associated support systems. For example, air in the system at startup can lead to issues with the seal support system. Flow can be disrupted or stopped in systems with chillers or seal pots. Air inclusions can also prevent the support system from providing the desired rate of cooling. Swagelok design options include high-point vents in the seal support system, so the system can be cleared.

Designed for system safety

API 682 recommends specific wall thicknesses for 1/2 inch (12 mm) to 1 inch (25 mm) OD tubing. While thinner-walled tubing, such as that used in general instrumentation installations, is often sufficient to handle the pressure and temperature of seal support systems, heavier-wall tubing provides extra rigidity in high-vibration service. Tubing with a heavier wall also creates systems that are more robust in areas where large pieces of equipment are being maintained and personnel may inadvertently come into contact with the tubing.

Designed for appropriate flow

A common flow issue is clogged orifices, which can cause a loss of flush fluid to the seal chamber, resulting in seal failure. Additionally, improper circulation of buffer and barrier fluids can also cause operational issues due to lack of appropriate system cooling. Swagelok systems are designed to prevent such this and other causes of inappropriate flow.

Designed for tailoring to individual needs

Swagelok's API 682 standard designs incorporate all the recommended components and adhere to best practices. For better operation and service of the seal and pump, we go beyond the standards to design systems specific to your application. This includes optional isolation valves, bypass loops, and instrumentation to assist the pump operator in both maintaining the system and monitoring the health of the seal.

Process side plans

Kits & assemblies

API Plan 11 Flush
API Plan 12 Flush with Strainer
API Plan 13 Flush, from Chamber to Suction
API Plan 14 Flush, Combination of Plans 11 & 13
API Plan 21 Cooled Flush
API Plan 22 Cooled Flush with Strainer
API Plan 23 Cooled Flush Recirculated through Seal Chamber
API Plan 31 Flush with Cyclone Separator
API Plan 41 Cooled Flush with Cyclone Separator

More info on Process Side Plans

Between seal plans

Assemblies only

Plan 52 Buffer Fluid Seal Pot
Plan 53A Barrier Fluid Seal Pot Pressurized by Nitrogen
Plan 53B Barrier Fluid Pressurized by Bladder Accumulator
Plan 53C Barrier Fluid Pressurized by Piston Accumulator
Plan 54 Barrier Fluid Pressurized by External System
Plan 55 Buffer Fluid Circulated by External System
Plan 72 Buffer Gas
Plan 74 Barrier Gas
Plan 75 Condensing Leakage Collection
Plan 76 Noncondensing Leakage Collection
Plan 72/76 Buffer Gas & Noncondensing Leakage Collection

More info on Between Seal Plans

Atmospheric side plans

Kits only

API Plan 51 Quench from Reservoir
API Plan 62 Quench from External Source
API Plan 65A Leakage Collection with Reservoir
API Plan 65B Leakage Collection with Reservoir

More info on Atmospheric Side Plans

About our kits

Seal plan kits (SPK) are a collection of components that are used to connect the seal support plan to the pump. Each kit contains everything needed for proper installation, including an engineered drawing. For projects or turnarounds, seal plan kits can be used to standardize how plans are connected to the pump. Kits also adhere to API best practices by showing technicians where to bend tubing to eliminate potential leak points through the reduction of elbow fittings and pipe threads.

About our assemblies

Seal plan assemblies (SPA) are panels, seal pots, or skid systems that comprise the majority of the API seal support plans. The seal plan assembly ordering numbering structure allows users to select a variety of configurations and additional system components to meet specific site or application requirements. Options and configurations not listed in the ordering numbering structure are also available. Seal plan assemblies can be ordered alone or with the associated field installation kit to provide a standard installation for site personnel.

Orifice flange adapter

Replace threaded or welded flange assemblies with a one-piece flange adapter with integral orifice.

Thermowell tees

Reduce threaded connections and monitor temperature with integrated thermowell pre-welded into tube fitting tee.

Extended male connector

Eliminate threaded pipe and potential leak points with a single fitting. Available in 4- and 6-inch lengths to clear the shroud.

Orifice union

Easily add an orifice to a flush system with the orifice union. This fitting makes welding bulky flange assemblies unnecessary.

For 50 years, Swagelok has provided professional support and an extensive local inventory of Swagelok products. We offer custom solutions, applications support, ebusiness solutions, training, equipment, tools, and more. In fact, our customers have saved over $10M since 2000, as reflected in their annual VIP Reports quantifying savings in several categories.

For better operation and service of the seal and pump, we go beyond the standards to design systems specific to your application. This includes optional isolation valves, bypass loops, and instrumentation to assist the pump operator in both maintaining the system and monitoring the health of the seal.

Additional options

And with Swagelok Custom Solutions from Swagelok Netherlands we can also:

Swagelok solutions

Assemblies

Onsite services

Training

Swagelok products

Swagelok mechanical seal support systems

Seal support systems are designed to support a specific mechanical seal and set of process conditions. These systems supply either gas or liquid to the mechanical seal to regulate the environment in which the seal operates.

Problem

Swagelok mechanical seal support systems are: