Troubleshooting Mechanical Seals – Coking – Part 7
Chesterton
SEAL FACE – COKING | SEAL FACE – CRYSTALLIZED |
SYMPTOMS:
- Coking or crystallized product
CAUSES:
- Excessive temperatures (both)
- Dirty or contaminated fluid (coking)
- Operating outside of the temperature envelope of the fluid (both)
- Small clearances in the seal chamber
- Pump cooling jacket not efficient
- Fluid evaporation between the seal faces (crystallization)
FAILURE MODES:
- Inadequate environmental controls
- Product harden, set-up or coked
- Exceeded limits (speed, temperature, pressure)
SOLUTIONS:
- Proper use of environmental controls
- Operate within seal limits
- Understand the temperature envelope of the fluid being sealed
This is a 9 part series. Click to view each article: 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : 8 : 9
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