Plan 52 API Integration Guide | Seal System Control

Plan 52 API  Application

Typically, Plan 52 API will be used in situations in which the user wishes to control the amount of leakage without introducing a pressurised barrier fluid into an industrial pump or rotating equipment system. Typically, the application of API Plan 52 will also be seen in natural gas utilities, utilities and general manufacturing environments where stability and ease of supervision are a primary consideration.

In Chemical and Fine Chemical Manufacturing, the use of API Plan 52 will typically be found when pumping clean or mildly hazardous liquids, where the amount of interaction between the buffer fluid and the pumped fluid is limited. The atmospheric buffer fluid system also allows for operators to monitor and identify seal wear or process conditions prior to seal failure or process interruption.

API Plan 52 systems are also favoured for use in the Pharmaceutical, Food and Specialty Material Processing Equipment industries, where leakage control may be critical, yet a complete pressure barrier is not necessary. API Plan 52 offers the ability to balance safety with ease of use in a simple design, making this type of seal support plan an excellent option for many manufacturing facilities that place importance on the manufacturability of their seal support plan designs, as well as the ease of maintenance of seal support equipment.