Plan52 mechanical seal
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Our centrifugal pumps use a 11+52 flushing method, but the tank corresponding to 52 is not connected to a flare or is not in contact with the atmosphere; the drain valve is simply closed. Will this have an impact on the mechanical seal? I saw on forums that many 52-tank systems use orifice plates for venting, with connections to flares. The medium we transport is methanol, and the medium in these tanks is also methanol
Our vent is also not connected to the flare; it’s directly connected to the atmosphere. It’s usually kept shut, so there should be no impact.
It has an impact! The first seal leaks, preventing the pressure in the sealed tank from being released; as a result, the high pressure in that tank affects the second seal. If the pump is not stopped and the mechanical seal is not replaced, the second seal will also fail after a short while, which is very unsafe. That would render the dual-seal modification pointless! Flare off using the flow-limiting orifice plate designed by the manufacturer.
At present, the mechanical seals of several pumps are leaking, which is causing an increase in pressure and liquid level in the storage tanks; for now, no venting is being done, and the pressure is being held at its current level