MECHANICAL SEAL SELECTION

GUIDELINES

In centrifugal pumps, sealing of the liquid past the shaft where it

passes through the stuffing box cavity is usually accomplished by putting a
set of soft gland packing followed by an adjustable gland. However, in such
a arrangement leakage of the liquid can not be arrested fully and almost 60
to 90 drops per minute are deliberately allowed to leak for heat dissipation.
When liquid is corrosive or precious, the leakage of the liquid poses further
problems. Moreover environmental issues arise due to leakage of corrosive
liquids into atmosphere.

Mechanical seal is being looked as a better alternative for Gland

packing in recent past. There are variety of mechanical seals which are
suitable for different liquids under different operating conditions of pressure
and temperature. Deciding and selecting a particular type of mechanical seal
for a given application requires a basic knowledge of mechanical seals and
its application engineering.

Selection of proper mechanical seal for a specific application involves

many factors such as shaft size, operating speed of the pump, stuffing box
temperature and pressure, chemical and physical properties of the product
(liquid to be pumped) and buffer fluid.

Final selection is based on all these factors as well as other customer

specifications including cost, space limitation and environmental controls.
Since more than one combination of materials and seal designs are often
suitable for a given set of operating conditions, mechanical seal selection is
also influenced by user preference and past experience. Further mechanical
seal manufacturers differ in their approach to specifying their products for
various applications.

Mechanical seal selection guidelines given in this paper is not an

attempt to make anyone proficient in selecting mechanical seals for KBL
make pumps but to make one familiar with seal selection process. It is
necessary that seal manufacturer should be consulted for critical
applications.

The intent of these guidelines is to provide a reference in selecting

mechanical seal for KBL make pumps. In most of the cases these guidelines
will help select a mechanical seal that will operate successfully. There will
be a small percentage of pump applications that fall outside the scope of
these guidelines and would need to consult mechanical seal manufacturers.
However one would find that these guidelines will provide a preliminary
selection for the majority of pump applications.

For seal selection following parameters are mainly considered.

1. Liquid and service

2. Stuffing box pressure
3. Working temperature
4. Characteristics of Liquid like abrasiveness, corrosiveness
5. Toxicity of liquid and hazards associated
6. MOC of the pump
7. Speed of pump
8. Users / Customers experience

Seal selection is never based on single parameter but it should be done

considering the combined effect of all affecting parameters.

Based on the above parameters the user / seal manufacturer decides,

1. seal make / seal type

2. seal size
3. Face combination
4. Hardware MOC
5. API plan

CLASSIFICATION OF MECHANICAL SEALS

1) Single and double seal (Classification based on seal arrangement)

element)

a. Single inside mechanical seal:

This is the most common type of mechanical seal which operates in
the fluid being pumped. This type of seal is generally recommended on non
toxic liquids and non fibrous abrasive slurries with suspended solids upto
and including 5% by weight.
Wastewater sludge, paper stock, fibrous abrasives tend to wrap
around the spring mechanism and prevent the single inside seal from
operating properly. Single inside seals are not suitable for fibrous solids.
For non abrasive, non toxic liquids which do not have tendency to
crystallize, a single inside seal operates with good success without flushing
or other type of environmental control.

b. Double inside mechanical seal

Double inside mechanical seal, often with back to back arrangement,
do not operate in the fluid being pumped and are recommended for toxic
liquids whose leakage in to environment would be hazardous. Liquids with
suspended solids more than 5% by weight and corrosive liquids require seals
made of costly materials. Double inside back to back mechanical seals must
have buffer fluid (usually water) flowing in and out of the area between both
seats of seal faces. This buffer liquid must be maintained between seats at a
pressure 1-1.8 kg/cm^2 G higher than the pressure in the stuffing box cavity
which prevents the contact of the product with the inner portion of the seal
and provides lubrication to both sets of seal faces.

2) Pusher & Non-pusher Seals (Classification based on Position of secondary

sealing element)

a. Pusher type seals In these seals the secondary sealing element (o ring or
wedge) is in dynamic condition i.e slides in shaft sleeve on laterally.
Pusher type seals are further classified as us single coil and multi coil seals.

i. Single coil seals In this type of seals single spring around shaft sleeve is
used to generate spring force. Such type of construction is recommended for
those applications where liquid is viscous or congealing & crystallizing in
nature. The seals are also used for handling liquids with certain solid
particles. The disadvantage is that the reverse rotation may cause loosening
of spring resulting to reduction in spring force and seal leakage

ii. Multi coil seals In this type of seals 4, 6 or 8 springs are mounted
symmetrically on the circumference as shown in the figure which generates
spring force. Such seals are best suitable for clear liquids and handling light
chemicals. These type of seals can not be used for handling liquid with solid
particles or crystallization tendency as such liquid can jam the springs.

b. Non-pusher seals In these seals secondary sealing element is in static

condition.
 Static O-ring

The seals are further classified as,

Elastomer (rubber) bellows seals for relatively light duty applications like
low to medium temperature clear water, oil, etc.
Teflon bellows seals for extremely corrosive applications with slower shaft
speed. These are necessarily externally mounted & no metal parts are in
contact with the media.
Metal bellows seals for high temperature applications like heat transfer
liquids

3) Balanced / Unbalanced seals (Classification based on seal design)

a. Unbalanced seals
These seals are preferred for the application where the stuffing box pressure
is less than 8-10 kg. They are inexpensive, more stable when subjected to
vibration, misalignment, and cavitations. The disadvantage is their relative
low pressure limit.

b. Balanced seals
These seals are used for stuffing box pressure is above 8-10 kg. Balancing a
mechanical seal involves a simple design change, which reduces the
hydraulic forces acting to close the seal faces. Balanced seals have higher-
pressure limits, lower seal face loading, and generate less heat.
4) Internal / External seals (Classification based on position of compression
element)
a. Internal seals In these seals the spring is in contact with the pumping
liquid. 90 to 95% applications are covered in this execution.

b. External seals These seals are designed for special applications where
the pumping liquid is corrosive in nature. The corressive liquid corrodes
spring of internal seal resulting into the spring and seal failure. In these
seals are externally mounted and the spring is not in contact with the
pumping liquid.

5) Cartridge & non-cartridge (Classification based on Construction)

a. Non cartridge seals- This is the traditional way of seal design. In non
cartridge seal design seal, shaft sleeve and seal cover are separate parts and
pump assembly person have to assemble all these parts using his skills and
experience. In this construction clamping / operating length of seal is more
important and wrong calculation may result into seal leakage or seal face
breakage.
b. Cartridge seals- In case of cartridge mechanical seal, mechanical seal
cover and shaft sleeve are the integral part of mechanical seal and the
rotating portion of the seal is mounted on a cartridge sleeve

Advantages of cartridge type mech seals.

Ease of seal fitment.
Seal over tightening, seal face breakages, leakage through seal faces
are minimized.
Ease of maintenance at site.
No need of calculating seal clamping length.
 FLOW CHART FOR MECHANICAL SEAL SELECTION
CHART

YES
IS THE LIQUID TOXIC?

NO

YES
IS THE LIQUID LIABLE TO CRYSTALIZE?

NO

DOES THE LIQUID CONTAIN ABRASIVE

PARTICLES

GREATER THAN 5% UPTO 5% NO

(MEDIUM TO HEAVY) (LIGHT TO MEDIUM)

SINGLE INTERNALLY
MOUNTED SEAL, HARD SINGLE
SEAL FACES AND INTERNALLY
THROAT BUSHING, MOUNTED SEAL
CIRCULATION OF CLEAN FACES
LIQUID TO SEAL FACES.

DOUBLE SEALS WITH PRESSURED

BUFFER LIQUIDS BETWEEN SEALS.
 LIST OF STANDATDISED MECHCHANICAL SEALS

APPROVED CARTRIDGE MECHCHANICAL SEAL FOR KPD PUMPS

EKK
L9AW-MULTI COIL
E11-SINGLE COIL E12-SINGLE COIL
P13-MULTI COIL BALANCED CART SEAL
UNBALANCED UNBALANCED
KPD UNIT BALANCED CART SEAL WITH O RING DESIGN FOR
CART SEAL WITH CART SEAL WITH
WITH O RING DESIGN APPLICATION UP TO 130
ORING DESIGN WEDGE DESIGN
DEG C.
SIZE DRG NO SIZE DRG NO SIZE DRG NO SIZE DRG NO
UNIT 4 D016 C 00367 R0 D016 C 00366 R0 D016 A 02374 R0 D016 A 04144 R0
UNIT 5 D020 C 00368 R0 D020 C 00358 R0 D020 A 02376 R0 D020 A 04145 R0
UNIT 7 D028 C 00369 R0 D028 C 00359 R0 D028 7K0K3 D028 A 04141 R0
UNIT 9,11 D034 C 00370 R0 D034 C 00360 R0 D034 7K0K4 D034 A 04142 R0
UNIT 11A D034 C 00765 R0 D034 C 00766 R0 D034 A 03508 R0 D034 A 04146 R0
UNIT 11B D034 A 04016 R0 D034
UNIT 13 D042 C 00371 R0 D042 C 00361 R0 D046 A 01596 R0 D046 A 04143 R0

LEAKPROOF
70U/C-SINGLE COIL
75U/C-SINGLE COIL 80U/C-MULTI COIL 85U/C-MULTI COIL
UNBALANCE CART
KPD UNIT UNBALANCE CART SEAL UNBALANCE CART SEAL UNBALANCE CART SEAL
SEAL WITH O RING
WITH WEDGE DESIGN WITH O RING DESIGN WITH WEDGE DESIGN
DESIGN

SIZE DRG NO SIZE DRG NO SIZE DRG NO SIZE DRG NO

UNIT 4 1.0" A32 4030 R0 1.0" A32 6392 R0 1.0" A32 4031 R0 1.0" A32 6391 R0
UNIT 5 1.25" A32 4030 R0 1.25" A32 6392 R0 1.25" A32 4031 R0 1.25" A32 6391 R0
UNIT 7 1.625" A32 5606 R0 1.625" A32 5606 R0 1.625" A31 5607 R0 1.625" A31 5607 R0
UNIT 9,11 2.0" A32 5606 R0 2.0" A32 5606 R0 2.0" A31 5607 R0 2.0" A31 5607 R0
UNIT 11A
UNIT 11B
UNIT 13 2.625" A32 5606 R0 2.625" A32 5606 R0 2.625" A31 5607 R0 2.625" A31 5607 R0

LEAKPROOF HI-FAB

SSBC-F-MULIT COIL SSBC-FQ-MULIT COIL

90B35/CG-MULIT COIL BALANCED CART SEAL
KPD UNIT BALANCED CART SEAL BALANCED CART SEAL
WITH O RING DESIGN
WITH O RING DESIGN WITH O RING DESIGN

SIZE DRG NO SIZE DRG NO SIZE DRG NO

UNIT 4 19 A328270 R0 0254 STS/A4/10130 R0 0254 STS/A4/10137 R0
UNIT 5 24 A328271 RO 0317 STS/A4/10129 R0 0317 STS/A4/10136 R0
UNIT 7 34 A328272 R0 0412 STS/A4/10128 R0 0412 STS/A4/10135 R0
UNIT 9,11 44 A328273 R0 0508 STS/A4/10127 R0 0508 STS/A4/10134 R0
UNIT 11A 0508 STS/A4/10126 R0 0508 STS/A4/10133 R0
UNIT 11B 0508 STS/A4/10125 R0 0508 STS/A4/10132 R0
A328274 R0
UNIT 13 60 APPROVAL IN PROGRESS 0730 STS/A4/10124 R0 0730 STS/A4/10131 R0
 FLOWSERVE BURGMANN
R0-MULTI COIL
R0TT-MULTI COIL P50-MULIT COIL M74N-MULIT COIL
UNBALANCE CART
KPD UNIT UNBALANCE CART SEAL BALANCED CART SEAL UNBALANCED CART SEAL
SEAL WITH ORING
WITH WEDGE DESIGN WITH O RING DESIGN WITH O RING DESIGN
DESIGN

SIZE DRG NO SIZE DRG NO SIZE DRG NO SIZE DRG NO

UNIT 4 1.00 " 2H - 99146 R4 1.00 " 2H - 99146 R4 25 mm 09-M74N/25-E8 R3
UNIT 5 1.250 " 2H - 100033 R1 1.250 " 2H - 100033 R1 1.00" 2H - 102456 R2 30 mm 09-M74N/30-E21 R3
UNIT 7 1.625 " 2H - 99217 R3 1.625 " 2H - 99217 R3 1.5" 2H - 102463 R2 40 mm 09-M74N/40-E29 R3
UNIT 9,11 2.00 " 2H - 100136 R1 2.00 " 2H - 100136 R1 2.125" 2H - 102464 R2 50 mm 09-M74N/50-E27 R1
UNIT 11A 2.00 " 2H - 100137 R1 2.00 " 2H - 100137 R1 2.125" 2H - 102465 R2
UNIT 11B 2.00 " 2H - 100138 R1 2.00 " 2H - 100138 R1 2.125" 2H - 102466 R2
UNIT 13 2.625 " 2H - 99219 R3 2.625 " 2H - 99219 R3 3.0" 2H - 102467 R2 70 mm 09-M74N/50-E27 R1

AES

M04-BALANCED CART M04S-BALANCED CART

KPD UNIT SEAL WITH WEDGE SEAL WITH ORING
DESIGN DESIGN

SIZE DRG NO SIZE DRG NO

UNIT 4
UNIT 5 35 mm 8001366 RB 35 mm 8008087 RA
UNIT 7 45 mm 8001325 RB 45 mm 8001325 RB
UNIT 9,11 55 mm 8001324 RB 55 mm 8009396 RA

APPROVED SEALS FOR CPHM PUMPS

STANDARDISED BARE AND CART SEALS

CART SEAL
CPHM UNIT BARE SEAL LPS155/C LEAK PROOF MAKE MULTI COIL
UNBALANCED SEAL

SIZE DRG NO SIZE DRG NO

UNIT 5 30mm Single coil, unbalanced, 1.25" A328341 R0

rubber below seal. As per
UNIT 7 40mm 1.625" A328342 R0
DIN 24960 standard of
UNIT 9 50mm any reputed make. 2.0" A328343 R0
UNIT 11
Single coil/ Multicoil,
UNIT 11A
BARE SEAL NOT TO BE OFFERED. Cart. Seal Balanced / Unbalanced. Same
UNIT 11B as that of KPD pumps
UNIT 13
 APPROVED SEALS FOR KPDS PUMPS

EKK

DRY RUNNING TYPE MULTISPRING EXTERNAL

KPDS UNIT
SEAL ORING DESIGN

SIZE DRG NO
80C25 35mm A03298AJ 0B
100C25 35mm A03298AJ 0B
150C38 55mm A028833 0A
150C45 55mm A028833 0A

APPROVED SEALS FOR CE PUMPS

STANDARDISED BARE SEALS

CE UNIT BARE SEAL
SIZE DRG NO

UNIT 30 30mm Single coil, unbalanced,

rubber below seal. As per
UNIT 40 40mm
DIN 24960 standard of
UNIT 50 55mm any reputed make.

APPROVED SEALS FOR DB PUMPS

STANDARDISED BARE SEALS

DB UNIT BARE SEAL
SIZE DRG NO

UNIT 25 32mm Single coil, unbalanced,

rubber below seal. As per
UNIT 35 38mm
DIN 24960 standard of
UNIT 45 50mm any reputed make.

APPROVED SEALS FOR UP METRIC PUMPS

STANDARDISED BARE SEALS

UP Metric BARE SEAL
SIZE DRG NO

MODULE 0 30mm
Single coil, unbalanced,
MODULE 1 35mm
rubber below seal. As per
MODULE 1E 40mm DIN 24960 standard of
any reputed make.
MODULE 2 50mm (without sleeve)
MODULE 3 60mm
 APPROVED SEALS FOR DSM PUMPS

STANDARDISED BARE SEALS

DSM PUMP BARE SEAL
SIZE DRG NO

DSM50/28 35mm

DSM50/28M 35mm

DSM50/20 35mm

35mm Single coil, unbalanced,

DSM65/20
rubber below seal. As per
DSM65/32A 35mm DIN 24960 standard of
any reputed make.
DSM65/32B 35mm
(without sleeve)
DSM80/36 40mm

DSM100/36 50mm

DSM125/40 60mm

DSM 150/46 P13D34 bare multicoil seal

APPROVED SEALS FOR SCT PUMPS

STANDARDISED BARE SEALS

SCT PUMP BARE SEAL
SIZE DRG NO

MODULE 1 35mm Single coil, unbalanced,

rubber below seal. As per
MODULE 2 50mm DIN 24960 standard of any
reputed make.
MODULE 3 65mm (without sleeve)

APPROVED SEALS FOR RKB PUMPS

EKK

P13-MULTI COIL BALANCED BARE SEAL

RKB PUMPS
WITH O RING DESIGN

SIZE DRG NO
32/9E D28 A06402 OA

40/12L,40/14H D32 A02261AB 0A

50/15E, 50/15L D36 A04285AB 0A

65/19E, 65/19L D40 A00206AB 0A
100/23E, 100/23L D44 A03656AB 0A
125/27M D46 A04113AB 0A
125/30 D52 A00758AB 0A
150/34 D58 A04793 0A
 APPROVED SEALS FOR CF PUMPS

GENERAL SEALS

TYPE 11-MULTI COIL CATRRIDGE SEAL

CF PUMPS
WITH O RING DESIGN

SIZE DRG NO
CF 110 16mm 11-M/0160/C

CF 220 24mm 11-M/0240/C

CF 330 24mm 11-M/0240/C

CF 440 28mm 11-M/0280/C
CF 550 32mm 11-M/0320/C

APPROVED SEALS FOR IL PUMPS

JOHN CRANE

TYPE 2100 SINGLE SPRING,

CF PUMPS
ELASOMETRIC BELLOWS

SIZE

25IL, 32IL 12mm

40IL, 50IL 16mm

65IL, 80IL, 100IL 22mm

APPROVED SEALS FOR NS PUMPS

LEAKPROOF SEALS GENERAL SEALS

UNBALANCED DOUBBLE BELLOW SEAL

NS PUMP UNBALANCED DOUBBLE BELLOW SEAL COMPLETE SET
COMPLETE SET

TYPE SIZE DRG NO SIZE DRG NO

ERS/B-M7N/0280/M1
VE UNIT 72 & 110U 28mm 034066/M1 034088/M1
RB/B-MG1/0280/M1
RCH3-M74N/04001M3
UNIT 1 & 2 72 & 110U 40mm 960082/M3 063494/M1
RB-CNT/0400/M1
ERS/B-M7N/0550/M1
UNIT 3 72 & 110U 55mm 061298/ 061299
RB/B-MG1/0550
ERS/B-M7N/0650/M1
UNIT 4 72 & 110U 65mm A324839 R0 061300/ 061301
RB/B-MG1/0650
ERS/B-M7N/0800/M1
UNIT 5 72 & 110U 80mm A324143 R0 061302/ 061303
RB/B-MG1/0800
ERS/B-M7N/0900/M1
UNIT 6 110 & 110U 90mm A325831 R0 061304/ 061305
RB/B-MG1/0900
 APPROVED SEALS FOR SHM PUMPS

EKK

E12-SINGLE COIL UNBALANCED

SHM PUMPS
CART SEAL WITH WEDGE DESIGN

SIZE DRG NO

UNIT 7 D26 C01242 0A

UNIT 9 D32 C00803 0F

UNIT 11 D38 C01393 0B

UNIT 13 D46 C00807 0D

NOTES :
1 Seal faces will be generally Carbon vs. Ceramic and will vary depending upon the liquid and application.
2 Seals will be SS316 internals with elastomers in nitrile for DIN seals and in Viton for others.
3 Seals are suitable upto 70C.
4 Seals are generally suitable for clear liquids having pH valus ranging from 6 to 8.
5 For special applications it is recommended to take confirmation from seal manufacturer.