SUBJECT : The dual seal arrangement 8-8 Dual seals are recommended for a variety of purposes that include:

To prevent a costly product from leaking. To prevent a dangerous product from leaking to the atmosphere. To prevent a pollutant from escaping to the atmosphere. As a back up seal to prevent costly down time when the first seal wears out or fails. This is an important element in any predictive maintenance program.

All of the above are sensible reasons for using two seals in a pump, but In this paper we'll be considering the use of dual seals as an environmental control to prevent the sealed product from either opening the seal faces, or damaging one of the seal components, the two reasons any mechanical seal ever failed. We can use the dual seals to:

Control the temperature at a seal face. Prevent a pressure drop across a seal face. Eliminate atmospheric conditions outboard of a mechanical seal. To break down the pressure in a high pressure application, by inserting an intermediate pressure between the seals. Two lower pressure seals can then be used to seal a high pressure fluid that would normally require a very expensive high pressure mechanical seal. To provide a lubricant if one is needed to prevent "slip stick". This is almost always the case when you are sealing a gas.

Dual seals can be of either the rotating or stationary version and can be installed in four different configurations.

Back to back or facing in opposite directions Tandem or facing in the same direction Face to face or facing towards each other Concentric or one inside the other.

The fluid that circulates between the seals is called barrier fluid if it is higher than stuffing box pressure. It is called buffer fluid if it is lower than stuffing box pressure. It can be circulated between the two seals by:

Natural convection using a convection tank. Insulated piping coming from the top of the gland to the convection tank, and finned piping coming out of the tank will aid convection if heat removal is a problem.

A pumping ring can be installed between the seals for those instances where natural convection is not sufficient to remove the heat being generated between the faces. This is very necessary when oil is used as the barrier fluid. Oil has a low specific heat and poor conductivity, making it a poor choice as a barrier fluid. Most of the newer cartridge dual seals come equipped with a built in pumping ring. Introducing the fluid between the seals, from an external source. Be sure to bring the fluid in at the bottom of the gland and out the top to prevent an air pocket from forming in the gland.

The following illustrations describe the rotating version (the spring or springs rotate with the shaft) of these dual seal configurations. You should be aware that a stationary version is also available from any of the major seal companies. You should also consider:

Use only the hydraulically balanced version of these seals to prevent the generation of excessive heat between the seal faces. Two way balance is always desirable in any dual seal application to allow you the option of using either a high or low pressure barrier fluid and to prevent the seal faces from opening if either the system or the barrier fluid pressure fluctuates. Be sure to select seal faces with good thermal conductivity. Try to locate any elastomers away from the seal faces if possible. Elastomers are very sensitive to heat.

First we will look at the back to back version of a rotating seal:

The rotating back to back version would be your worst possible choice. Here are some of the reasons :

This configuration requires a higher barrier fluid pressure between the seals. This means that an inner seal leak will cause a dilution of your product. There will be no visible evidence of this happening unless someone notices a change in the product concentration or tank level.

In operation the outboard seal is carrying the higher differential pressure and should be the first seal to wear out or fail. When this occurs the barrier fluid pressure will drop and the inner seal can blow open. In other words, if the seal works as designed, both seals will fail at the same time. High barrier fluid pressures are hard to maintain because of pressure fluctuations and varying system pressures. Water hammer and pressure surges are not that uncommon. A reversing pressure can blow the inner seal open. Seals should shut with pressure. They should not "blow open" when something goes wrong. If a connection in the barrier fluid system is ruptured the inner seal can blow open, dumping the pump contents to the environment. The second seal would be of no use. Note the snap ring holding the inner stationary face against the end of the stuffing box. This part is missing in just about every application I have ever seen. Without this snap ring, higher process fluid pressure can over compress the inner seal spring force moving the stationary face into the rotating face, causing massive face wear and very high rubbing temperatures. A common version of this seal utilizes spring loaded dynamic O-rings. O-rings should be placed in O-ring grooves, they should not be spring loaded. The Durametallic CRO seal is typical of that configuration. This version is known as the "double fretter" in the sealing industry. It will groove the shaft in two places just beneath the O-rings. See another section of this series for a further explanation of shaft fretting. This seal is often used in slurry applications. Centrifugal force will throw the slurry into the inner faces causing excessive carbon wear. The slurry will then pack in front of the moveable face preventing it from moving as it tries to slide forward to compensate for normal face wear, thermal growth, most impeller adjustment and shaft end play.

Tandem is the next version. This is the configuration you find in most Oil Refinery applications.

Here are a few comments about this version:

It takes the most axial space of the four types and as a result is seldom found in the process industry, although newer designs are being made shorter as a result of computer finite analysis programs. You need two glands and this adds to the cost as well as the axial space required. A low pressure buffer fluid is circulated between the seals, eliminating the possibility of product dilution. A loss of buffer fluid will not cause the seal faces to open.

The face to face version is next

This face to face version is a compromise between the "back to back" and the tandem version:

You normally run a lower pressure buffer fluid between the faces. If you lose this pressure the seal faces do not open. Half the seal is in the stuffing box with the other half outside. This means the seal does not take an excessive amount of either axial or radial space. Many versions of this seal specify a common stationary unit with holes drilled in the stationary for circulation. I do not like this configuration because if you break the stationary face you could lose both seals. There should be two separate faces specified for maximum safety.

The concentric version is next, but I do not have an illustration to show you. In this version we have one of the seals inside the other sharing a common stationary face. The stationary face is drilled between the rotating faces to allow circulation of the barrier fluid.

Like the tandem and "face to face" versions you normally circulate a low pressure buffer fluid between the faces. This configuration takes the least amount of axial space, but requires the most amount of radial space. You will sometimes find them used on a top entering mixer application, but you will seldom find them in a pump application because of the radial space required.

Because of the common stationary used there is the danger of losing both seals if you break the stationary face.

The convection tank is a unit you can either purchase or manufacture your self. When a manufacturer supplies this unit, it requires a "Boiler Maker Stamp" and a 600 psi rating, making it very expensive to purchase. You can probably manufacture one for your purposes at a much lower cost.

You have many choices when it comes to your choice of the buffer or barrier fluid:

Anti-freeze is popular in northern climates. Do not use the commercial brand that contain a chemical used to plug leaks in radiator hoses. Finished product is always acceptable. A fluid compatible with your product is often used. You might consider a cleaner or solvent that will be used to clean the system. If a flush is being used in the system you can always use that as a barrier fluid. Once again, try to avoid using any type of mineral, petroleum or vegetable oil as a barrier fluid. Oil has a low specific heat and poor conductivity that can cause varnishing and coking problems between the seals. Some of the newer synthetic and heat transfer oils can be used if the temperate is not too high.

Now that you have all of the basics under control, we will use a dual seal to solve some of our common application problems: Use a pressure higher than stuffing box pressure between the seals to:

Prevent kaolin (china clay) or other micron size solids from penetrating between the faces. To provide face lubrication if the product you are sealing is a non lubricant. This will prevent excessive wear and "slip-stick" problems. To prevent a pressure drop across the faces that could: Cause a product to vaporize and open the lapped faces Cause a fluid to solidify, paint is a good example

Cause Ethylene Oxide to attack the dynamic O-ring in the inboard seal. Ethylene Oxide can penetrate the elastomer and blow out the other side if there is a differential pressure across the O-ring.

Use a lower pressure between the seals to:

Create an intermediate pressure in a high pressure application. Use a low pressure, with an anti-freeze as barrier fluid, to prevent ice from forming outboard of the seal when sealing products that freeze at atmospheric pressure. You will see ice on the outside of the pump if you trying to seal one of these applications. To be able to identify which seal has failed.

CAUTION Do not split the pressure between stuffing box and atmospheric pressure. This will put an equal load on both seals and they will wear out at the same rate. Circulate the correct temperature fluid between the seals, especially when the pump is shut down. You are going to have to make the decision as to what barrier fluid temperature is needed. You can increase the temperature, decrease it or hold it within narrow limits:

To prevent a product from crystallizing. To prevent a product from vaporizing. To prevent a product from becoming viscous. To prevent a product from solidifying. To prevent a product from building a film on the seal faces. To prevent the product corrosion rate from increasing with heat.

Here are a few more considerations:

With the proper selection of barrier or buffer fluid pressure you can transfer the hydraulic load to either the inboard or outboard seal. It is never wise to use the barrier fluid at a pressure of half the stuffing box pressure because this would cause both seals to share the load and they would be expected to wear out at the same time. It is always better to select one of the seals to carry the load. A transmitter can be installed on the convection tank that will send a signal to a control panel informing the operator which seal has failed or worn out. Some people are tempted to run the outboard seal dry. With the correct selection of the seal type and the proper materials this is possible, but not recommended. You should use a convection tank under some fluid pressure to be able to tell if you have had a seal failure, and which seal has failed.

Use the cartridge version of these seals to ease the installation problem and allow you to make impeller adjustments and compensate for thermal shaft growth. Be sure the cartridge sleeve is sealed to the shaft inside the stuffing box, or fluid will flow between the cartridge and the shaft making cartridge removal difficult. Some manufacturers seal on the outboard end, but this is not desirable. If you use the stationary version of these seals: o Back to back is acceptable, the fluid will be at the seal O.D. o Tandem is acceptable if the stationary units are positioned in the glands. o Face to face is not acceptable. The fluid will be at the I.D. of the faces and centrifugal force will work against you. o Concentric is O.K. if you can locate a concentric version of a dual seal. o If you are going to use a cartridge version of the stationary dual seal, be sure it has some type of self-aligning feature to prevent excessive movement as a result of "cocking" when the cartridge sleeve is attached to the shaft.

For information about my CD with over 600 Seal & Pump Subjects explained,

MECHANICAL SEAL PRINCIPLES I Course Introduction: Mechanical Seals are becoming the Sealing Devices of choice for todays environmentally conscious consumers. Unfortunately, education on Mechanical Seals is often overlooked in todays colleges and universities. This course is designed to educate you with the appropriate knowledge of these devices and how they accomplish their job. A thorough comprehension of Mechanical Seal Principles is often required for you to effectively carry out your day to day business. If you design, specify, repair, maintain, operate or work with Mechanical Seals in any way, this course will provide you with the information required to perform these tasks. Course Objective: Upon completion of this course you will be able to describe the purpose of a Mechanical

Seal, identify the parts of a Mechanical Seal, describe Mechanical Seal classifications, describe Mechanical Seal materials of construction, describe Mechanical Seal operation, identify Mechanical Seal environmental controls, describe Mechanical Seal design history, and troubleshoot some basic Mechanical Seal failures. Course Curriculum Length: 40 hours Course Modules & Syllabus Mechanical Seal Parts o The Mechanical Seal Purpose The Packed Stuffing Box The Purpose of a Mechanical Seal o The Sections of a Mechanical Seal Mechanical Seal Construction The Primary Seal Rings The Secondary Seals The Metal Parts o Primary Seal Rings The Primary Seal Rings Seal Face Flatness Flatness Defined What is a Helium Light Band? What is an Optical Flat? Reading Light Bands Flatness Readings - Rules of Thumb Seal Face Lubrication The Asperity Theory

 The Pressure Drop Theory The Pressure Wedge Theory The Dry Running Theory The Three Band Theory Secondary Seals The Gland Seal The Shaft Seal O-ring Seals V-ring Seals U-cup Seals Wedge Seals Boot Type Seals Additional Secondary Seals Mechanical Seal Hardware The Gland The Spring Mechanism Large Single Coil Springs Multiple Small Springs Metal Bellows Some Common Problems with Metal Bellows Seals Finger Springs Rubber Bellows Some Common Problems with Rubber Bellows Seals The Shaft Sleeve

 The Drive Mechanism Mechanical Seal Classifications o Inside and Outside Mechanical Seal Configurations Inside Mechanical Seal Configurations Outside Mechanical Seal Configurations o Rotary and Stationary Mechanical Seal Configurations Rotary Mechanical Seal Configurations Stationary Mechanical Seal Configurations o Component and Cartridge Mechanical Seal Configurations Component Mechanical Seal Configurations Cartridge Mechanical Seal Configurations o Metallic and Non-metallic Mechanical Seal Configurations Metallic Mechanical Seal Configurations Non-metallic Mechanical Seal Configurations o Single and Multiple Seal Ring Mechanical Seal Configurations Single Seal Ring Mechanical Seal Configurations Multiple Seal Ring Mechanical Seal Configurations o Split and Non-split Mechanical Seal Configurations Split Mechanical Seal Configurations Non-split Mechanical Seal Configurations o Unbalanced, Balanced, and Double Balanced Mechanical Seal Configurations Unbalanced Mechanical Seal Configurations Balanced Mechanical Seal Configurations Double Balanced Mechanical Seal Configurations Pressure at the Seal Outside Diameter

 Pressure at the Seal Inside Diameter o Pusher and Non-pusher Mechanical Seal Configurations Pusher Mechanical Seal Configurations Non-pusher Mechanical Seal Configurations o Gas and Non-gas Mechanical Seal Configurations Gas Mechanical Seal Configurations Non-gas Mechanical Seal Configurations Mechanical Seal Materials o Seal Ring Parts Carbon-graphite Seal Ring Parts Ceramic Seal Ring Parts Tungsten Carbide Seal Ring Parts Silicon Carbide Seal Ring Parts Reaction Bonded Seal Ring Parts Sintered Silicon Carbide Seal Ring Parts Duplex Carbide Seal Ring Parts Other materials used as Seal Ring Parts o Elastomer Parts Fluorocarbon Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR) Elastomer Parts Buna-N (Nitrile) Elastomer Parts Neoprene Elastomer Parts PerfluoroElastomer Parts Kalrez 4079 Kalrez 1050LF

 Kalrez 1050 Kalrez 1018 Kalrez 3018 Kalrez 2035 Kalrez 2037 Chemraz 505 Chemraz 513 TFE Elastomer Parts Aflas Fluoraz Vanway (AKA Style 76) Silicone Elastomer Parts Other materials used for as Elastomer Parts o Metal Parts Stainless Steel Alloy 20 Titanium Monel Hastelloy-B Hastelloy-C Inconel 718 Inconel 600 Bronze Nickel Mechanical Seal Operation o Single Mechanical Seal Operation

 How do single Mechanical Seals function? o Back-to-Back Mechanical Seal Operation How do back-to-back Mechanical Seals function? Problem 1 Problem 2 Problem 3 Problem 4 o Tandem Mechanical Seal Operation How do tandem Mechanical Seals function? o Face-to-Face Mechanical Seal Operation How do face-to-face Mechanical Seals function? o Concentric Mechanical Seal Operation How do concentric Mechanical Seals function? o Gas Mechanical Seal Operation How do gas-lubricated Mechanical Seals function? Mechanical Seal Environmental Controls o API Plan 2 What is API Plan 2? o API Plan 11 What is API Plan 11? o API Plan 12 What is API Plan 12? o API Plan 13 What is API Plan 13? o API Plan 21

 What is API Plan 21? o API Plan 23 What is API Plan 23? o API Plan 31 What is API Plan 31? o API Plan 32 What is API Plan 32? o API Plan 41 What is API Plan 41? o API Plan 52 What is API Plan 52? o API Plan 53 What is API Plan 53? o API Plan 54 What is API Plan 54? o API Plan 62 What is API Plan 62? Mechanical Seal Generation Design o First Generation Mechanical Seals What are features of a First Generation Mechanical Seal? Unbalanced High Seal Face Wear High Energy Costs Fits Needs of Pump OEMs only Limited Material Selection Limited Temperature Range

 Limited Pressure Range Limited Speed Capabilities Prone to Clogging Causes Shaft Fretting High Heat Generation Wide Seal Faces High Fugitive Emissions Component Design only Inadequate Instructions and Misinstallation o Second Generation Mechanical Seals What are features of a Second Generation Mechanical Seal? Balanced Lower Energy Costs Lower Seal Face Wear Lower Heat Generation Higher Pressure Range Extended Material Selection Higher Temperature Range Higher Speed Capabilities Non-clogging Design Non-fretting Design Narrower Seal Faces Lower Fugitive Emissions Cartridge Seal Availability

 Fits Needs of Maintenance o Third Generation Mechanical Seals What are features of a Third Generation Mechanical Seal? Double Balanced Totally Non-fretting Design Gas Seal Design Narrowest Seal Faces Fits Needs of both Maintenance and OEM Highest Operating Parameters of all Seal Generations Mechanical Seal Troubleshooting o Mechanical Seal - Wear Track Symptoms Wear Track Wider than Narrow Seal Face Centered or Miscentered Wear Track Even or Uneven Wear Track o Mechanical Seal - Seal Face Symptoms Scoring or Erosion of the Seal Faces Chipping on the Outside or Inside Diameter of the Seal Face Coking or Crystallization of the Seal Face Heat Cracking or Checking of the Seal Face Blistering of the Seal Face o Mechanical Seal - Elastomer Symptoms Hard or Compression Set (Squared) Elastomers Extrusion or Nibbling Explosive Decompression

 Soft, Mushy or Swollen, Twisted Elastomers o Mechanical Seal - Parts Inspection Scoring of Inside or Outside Diameters of Seal Faces and Metal Parts Corroded or Pitted Parts Flattened Set Screw Cup Points o Mechanical Seal - Bellows Symptoms Crack at or Near Weld Coated or Clogged with Product