INSTALLING MECHANICAL SEALS.

By
Er. Laxman Singh Sankhla
B.E.Mech., Chartered Engineer
Jodhpur, India
Mail ID: laxman9992001@yahoo.co.in
INSTALLING MECHANICAL SEALS.
Prior to the installation of a Mechanical Seal Cartridge it is important to check
the following:
The Stuffing Box is clean and free from dirt, sand and burrs etc.
The Pump Shaft and Stuffing Box Bore are concentric.
The Gland Face is square to the Pump Shaft.
The procedure for checking the squareness and Shaft to Stuffing Box
eccentricity is accomplished by the use of Dial Test indicators. This is illustrated
below:

DIAL TEST INDICATORS

CONNECTED TO THE
PUMP SHAFT

Any eccentricity between the Pump Shaft and the Stuffing Box will result in
runout of the Seal Face and Seat during operation. Excessive runout (more than
0.001 inches or 25 microns) will result in premature Seal failure.
Any significant out-of-squareness (0.001 inches or 25 microns) between the
Pump Shaft and Gland Face will cause an uneven axial loading of the Seal Seat
and Face. This will result in premature Seal failure.
The Dial Test Indicators (DTIs) are mounted on the Pump Shaft. In the above
diagram the Plunger Type DTI is placed against the Gland Face. The Lever
Type DTI is placed within the Stuffing Box Bore.
As the Pump Shaft is rotated any eccentricity or out-of-squareness is recorded.
Any excessive eccentricity or out-of-squareness must be eliminated before the
Mechanical Seal can be installed.
This is usually achieved by unbolting the Pump Bearing Housings and redowelling the housings in the correct location.