Mechanical seals for refining: robustness and extreme performance
Plants and processes associated with hydrocarbon processing, including offshore and onshore extraction, crude oil transfer and refining, require equipment capable of operating at extremely high pressures and temperatures. The fluids handled often contain substances that are highly toxic and harmful to both humans and the surrounding environment. These substances are often easily ignitable and explosive. The mechanical seals installed on the process pumps used in these plants must comply with the API682 (American Petroleum Institute) standard, which establishes strict guidelines for seal design, selection and installation in order to ensure the required zero emissions to the atmosphere. Fluiten is one of the very few companies in the world capable of supplying seals in compliance with the API682 standard, endorsed by major pump manufacturers and oil & gas companies.
The distinctive characteristics of the refining industry
Refining processes pose several technical challenges:
- Emission control and safety: Stringent environmental regulations demand advanced seals for controlling volatile emissions and managing hot fluids, pressurized fluids, corrosives, and liquids containing suspended solids.
Operational reliability: There’s no room for compromise. Every component of the mechanical seal – regardless of cost – must be designed to withstand the mechanical stresses the seal is subjected to, even under extreme conditions of cavitation and excessive vibration.
Fluiten provides seals and auxiliary lubrication systems tailored to the specific requirements of refineries:
Category 1 for pressures of up to 20 bar and temperatures of up to 260°C. Category 2.3 for pressures of up to 40 bar and temperatures of up to 400°C.
Type A with preloaded springs and elastomeric secondary seals; Type B with metal bellows and elastomeric secondary seals; Type C with metal bellows for high temperature with secondary grafoil gaskets.
Configurations 1, 2, 3 include single seals, non-pressurized double seals, and pressurized double seals, respectively, all in cartridges with flanges and shaft sleeves designed for specific new or existing machines.
The range comprises seals suitable for flushing or pressurization with inert gas, thanks to seal rings developed with FLUILIFT technology.
Additionally, auxiliary lubrication systems and fluid control instrumentation are available in accordance with technical specifications and the customer’s requirements.
Fluiten seals
- API mechanical seals: Compliant with the latest API standards to ensure maximum safety and reliability.
- Advanced sealing rings: Using silicon carbide and tungsten to seal effectively even when used with abrasive and crystallizing fluids.
