Reactor pressure and sealing issues
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Dear experts: Our company purchased a reactor with a working pressure of 5 MPa, and its sealing mechanism was a mechanical seal. After less than 40 hours of operation, the mechanical seal failed. We replaced it with another seal of the same type, but the problem persisted. May I ask if a mechanical power seal is suitable for a working pressure of 5 MPa?
Of course. It is common for machine seal leaks to occur when new equipment is put into use, and the reason is inadequate preparation work. 1. Whether the operations are performed skillfully and correctly. 2. Whether the medium (including seal oil) is clean (condition of system purging and replacement). 3. Quality of equipment installation (mechanical parts). 4
It seems that it cannot withstand a pressure of 5 MPa.
This post was last edited by FORREST_GUMP on 2015-7-5 17:11. What material is used for the sealing of the reactor? 5MPA is quite a high pressure. What is the temperature at work? Static seal or dynamic seal? Is there lubrication when it’s in use? Is there any rotation? It is recommended to try using PEEK450CA30 as a material for a seal.
The design pressure is 5 MPa; during trial operation it is 0.4 MPa, and the operating temperature is below 80°C℃； The upper part of the stirring shaft is sealed with an end cover, followed by a rubber seal, and then a mechanical dynamic seal below. With an operating time of no more than 40 hours, both the rubber seal and the mechanical dynamic seal have been damaged, resulting in water leakage at the shaft and leakage of fluid from the mechanical seal.
Oh, are there any photos? What is the speed of rotation? What material is a mechanical seal made of? Metal or rubber?
The rotation speed is low, ranging from 40 to 150 revolutions per minute, and the mechanical seal is made of wear-resistant steel
The rotation speed isn’t high; is there lubrication? Can the rubber seal be replaced with a rigid seal? Materials with better wear resistance, strength, and fatigue resistance, such as PEEK, could be tried out.
It should also be related to the installation; it’s worth checking
If several seals are damaged at the same time, check the coaxiality as well as the shaft’s wobble during operation.
Can a skeleton oil seal be used? What is the sealing method used by the poster?