Causes of Mechanical Seal Leakage in Pumps

Pump systems utilize mechanical seals to prevent leakage, maintain pressure balance and operational consistency, protect the environment from hazardous fluids, and extend the pump's life through reduced maintenance. However, when these critical components fail, it can lead to unexpected shutdowns, reduced productivity, increased maintenance costs, and exposure to potential safety hazards. It is essential to address any potential mechanical seal leakage causes to avoid critical seal failures that may delay operations.

As a reliable source of pumps, pump parts, and replacement solutions, Springer Parts offers an extensive selection of high-quality mechanical seals for various industries, supported by decades of experience and a team of knowledgeable and friendly experts to assist in addressing your mechanical seal leakage issues.

Understanding Mechanical Seals

Installed where the pump shaft passes through the pump housing, mechanical seals are critical components in pump systems that prevent fluid from leaking along the shaft. They create a tight, controlled boundary between rotating parts and stationary parts. Mechanical seals feature several key components that contribute to preventing leaks, including seal faces, secondary seals, springs, and hardware.

Mechanical Seal Components

The components used in mechanical seals all play a critical role in their operation. Seal faces consist of a rotating face, attached to the shaft, and a stationary face, attached to the housing, that are pressed together to form the primary sealing connection and include a thin fluid film for lubrication to minimize wear. Secondary seals, such as O-rings, gaskets, and bellows, create the link between the seal faces and other components, while preventing seal leakage around the faces by accommodating slight movement or misalignment.

The springs apply the force to keep the seal faces in contact and ensure continuous performance over time. While hardware refers to all other supporting components, including seal glands, retainers, set screws, and drive collars to hold the assembly in place.

Types of Mechanical Seals

Depending on the fluid type, pressure, temperature, and application requirements, a variety of mechanical seal configurations are available to choose from:

• Single seals are a basic mechanical seal with one sealing interface that can be used for clean, non-hazardous, low-pressure fluids, like water pump applications.

• Double seals feature two sets of sealing faces for an additional buffer to be used in hazardous, abrasive, and high-pressure applications, such as chemical processing.

• Cartridge seals are pre-assembled, self-contained solutions for simplified installation in applications where speed and reliability are crucial, including industrial pumps for pharmaceuticals and food processing.

• Split seals can be installed without disassembling equipment, providing easy mounting in large pumps, mixers, and other industrial equipment for wastewater, mining, and other heavy-duty industries.

Common Causes of Mechanical Seal Leakage

Mechanical seal leakage can be a frequent issue in rotating equipment, often stemming from various underlying factors. Misalignment, insufficient fluid, incompatible operation, as well as incorrect torque and high temperatures, can lead to seal failure, cause leaks, and compromise the seal’s effectiveness across applications. Mechanical seal leakage causes include the following:

• Improper installation

• Dry running

• Excessive vibration

• Chemical attack

• Thermal deformation

• Contamination

• Incorrect seal selection

Preventative Measures and Best Practices

With routine maintenance and proactive strategies that adhere to best practices, mechanical seal leakage can be prevented, allowing your system to perform as intended and extending the lifespan of your equipment. By taking the proper precautions in installation, maintenance, compatibility, and training, you can minimize leakage risks and improve system performance. To mitigate mechanical seal leakage, it can be helpful to incorporate preventative measures and best practices, such as:

• Following the manufacturer’s guidelines and using trained personnel for seal installation

• Regularly checking equipment for signs of wear, vibration, and temperature fluctuations

• Using seal materials that are compatible with the fluids and operating environment

• Implementing sensors and monitoring systems for the detection of seal failure warning signs

• Ongoing training for personnel to ensure best practices for seal handling and maintenance

Contact Us for High-Quality Mechanical Seal Products and Pump Solutions

Offering an extensive selection of OEM and direct replacement spare parts backed by decades of experience, Springer Parts is a trusted supplier of pumps and replacement parts repair kits, including mechanical seals. Our inventory includes mechanical seals for industrial equipment, sanitary operations, agricultural machinery, and heating and cooling processes to meet your requirements while providing cost-effective solutions. With pump solutions typically priced 20-40% cheaper than OEMs, and specifications and warranties that meet or exceed OEM expectations, we specialize in high-quality solutions that won’t sacrifice performance for price. Contact Springer Parts to discuss your mechanical seal equipment or request a quote to get started.