Proper Equipment Selection:

1. Material and Component Selection: The path to achieving fluid sealing reliability begins with selecting materials and components specifically tailored to meet the demands of the application. For mechanical seals, the priority is on the correct style for function and fit. These choices often differ from existing equipment to enhance reliability. SEPCO’s field engineers are always on hand to assist with your sealing needs.
2. Material Compatibility: Once the seal or packing style is selected, materials are chosen based on their compatibility with the chemicals and environmental factors such as temperature and solids. SEPCO, the world’s largest packing braider, produces all its products in Alabama, ensuring top-quality materials for superior performance.
3. Environmental Controls: The sealing system’s materials dictate the need for controls like barrier fluid tanks and flow meters, selected based on the most effective API Plan for the application.
4. Bearing Isolators: To extend equipment life and increase the mean time between bearing replacements, SEPCO’s EXP bearing isolator offers enhanced design and functionality. Contact us to explore how this can enhance your system’s reliability.
5. System Synergy: High-performance bearing isolators complement the improvements made by seals, packings, or air seals, contributing to overall system reliability.

Proper Installation:

• Follow manufacturer installation procedures meticulously to prevent damage and ensure optimal performance. With the evolution of seal designs and reduced experience among maintenance teams, adherence to these guidelines is crucial. Use precise tools like micrometers and dial calipers for measurements. SEPCO provides video resources for correct installation practices.
• Another example of improvement in the installation process is using compatible metal tubing from the seal to the barrier fluid tanks to convect heat away and remove extra bends where possible to ease the flow from the correct seal cavity inlet and outlet.

Pipe Strain:

• Before installation, check and correct pipe strain with tools like feeler gauges and dial indicators. Use shims and supports to relieve tension.

Alignment:

• Ensure the pump alignment is correct, using laser systems or traditional methods like straight edges when lasers are not available.

Operation:

• Collect comprehensive operational data including pressure conditions, risks of dry running, potential deadheading, vibration, temperature at the seal, and product properties. An MSDS should be obtained for hazardous or unique products.

Maintenance:

• Assess the maintenance team’s expertise. SEPCO offers training both on-site and at our Alabama facility to educate on installation, troubleshooting, and recognition of warning signs.

Tracking / Failure Analysis:

• Utilize the SEPCO SAMS program to track seal failure modes, which provides critical insights for making necessary adjustments to sealing equipment and inspection protocols to pinpoint the causes of premature failures. This data-driven approach helps in refining reliability strategies.

This comprehensive approach ensures that each component of the fluid sealing system works in harmony, maximizing reliability and performance for your operations.