Sulfur recovery unit: frequent leakage issue with the amine-rich liquid pump
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Flow rate: 3.2; head: 78. The flushing scheme is 11+52. The seal material is a multi-spring alloy in contact with graphite, while the sealing rings are made of ordinary rubber. Maintenance is required frequently. The mechanical seal was produced by a local small company; let’s see how it can be improved
The flushing scheme was changed to a 32+62 scheme, with externally supplied deionized water used for flushing. There will be a noticeable effect after the modification
Thank you, teacher. Is no change needed regarding the mechanical seal?
Fluororubber is the best choice for gaskets, while seals with larger springs are preferable
Could the impurities in the rich amine solution cause seal leakage? I noticed that the components they removed were very dirty, with impurities from the amine solution stuck to them.
If the medium contains impurity particles, graphite definitely cannot be used for the friction pair. The allowable axial length during installation allows trying other types of mechanical seals
There is something stuck to the end face; what impurities are present in the material?
The sealing surface isn’t shiny at all; could it be that the compression amount is insufficient? Also, the springs of the two mechanical seals have different thicknesses
The spring corroded by the rich amine solution has become thinner; both mechanical seals are of the same type. The leakage occurs because the thinning of the spring prevents proper compensation, so it was decided to use a better material for the mechanical seals
The acidic gas used as feedstock in the sulfur recovery unit contains various impurities; during the reaction, some of these substances turn into powdered forms as well as carbonaceous materials. These substances are carried along into the amine solution, where they remain in a loose state at low temperatures but become clumped and harden at higher temperatures. Therefore, when encountering such problems, it is necessary to take targeted actions on the equipment side; several filters should be used in the processing process to reduce the presence of impurities in the amine solution, thereby decreasing the likelihood of pump repairs. This is the proper approach to solving such issues!