Types of Mechanical Seals for Pumps: 6 Key Designs Explained

Application Areas

• Industrial Pump Systems

Types of seals in mechanicals are used extensively within multistage pumps to limit the amount of leakage at the pump shaft and to ensure continued reliable operation during continuous or cyclic service. These type of applications utilize a mechanical robot seal installed between the rotating shaft of the pump and the stationary housing to maintain the integrity of the seal regardless of the pressure, temperature, or starting/stopping cycles. This type of sealing solution is commonly used across chemical, power, water, and general industrial environments. Mechanical robotic seal design and installation may vary based on the requirements of each application and can be customized to provide for the increased demands of leakage control and operational stability.

• High Demand Operating Conditions

Mechanical seals are selected to help provide reliable sealing under higher pressure, vertical installation, limited space. Types of seals in mechanical also help provide continuity of seal performance as well as to ensure the continued dependability of the unit over the long term.The design and configuration of mechanical seals can change for different applications depending on the requirements of the system. Therefore, mechanical seals make excellent choices for the demanding service conditions they are frequently used in because of the need for controlled leakage and operational stability.

• Standardized and Engineered Applications

In industrial facilities where mechanical seals must conform to either established industry standards or engineered seal plans, they are incorporated into integrated designs of the pump and seal combination rather than using them as separate entities. As with engineered pumps, mechanical seals are typically selected and utilized based on both the design of the pump itself, the media being pumped and the maintenance strategy for the pump.

• Centrifugal and Water Pump Applications

Mechanical seals are widely used for use with both centrifugal pumps and water pumps that are being used with clean source or lightly contaminated source fluids. In both cases, mechanical seals allow the user to have confidence in the reliability of the seal while providing an ease of installation and maintenance. Their ability to facilitate a large array of water circulation systems utilized in industrial utilities and infrastructures makes them versatile for the purpose of supporting a variety of industrial applications.

• Maintenance, Replacement and Service Oriented Applications

Mechanical seals are utilized in both replacement and retrofit applications where the compatibility of the mechanical seal with the existing pump system is critical and the ease of serviceability is critical.

In such applications, mechanical seals enhance continuous pump operation through the reduction of leak risks and providing users with longer intervals between maintenance tasks that support continued performance of the pump.