Boiler feed / Condensate
Boiler feed applications require adequate lubrication between the seal faces at all times. This lubrication may be negatively impacted by a condition called ‘flashing’ or ‘popping’, which occurs when water vaporizes to steam. This process allows the seal faces to open and close rapidly causing leakage.
Flashing causes seal faces to chip, which may allow abrasives onto the sealing face surfaces, accelerating face wear. Flashing will also add to equipment vibration, causing wear to the drive mechanisms and potential seal hang-up, leading to seal failure.
Flexaseal Recommends
- Flexaseal Style 58A Heavy Duty API Stationary Multi Spring Cartridge
- Stationary design allows for better face tracking than rotating pusher designs, especially at higher shaft speeds
- Multi-point injection ensures uniform cooling around the entire circumference of the faces
- Antimony impregnated carbon versus silicon carbide is the best face combination to provide the lowest coefficient of friction, high strength, and high thermal conductivity to assist the removal of heat generated at the faces
- Hydraulically balanced faces reduce face loading and reduces the amount of heat generated
- Piping per API 682 Plan 23 with integral pumping ring uses a tangential, vertically located connection to circulate water in the seal chamber to the heat exchanger and back
- Stationary springs located outside of product, won’t wear or clog due to solids
- Positively retained non-sparking bushing helps to minimize leakage in event of seal failure
- Dynamic elastomer slides on the clean surface of the stationary seal ring, eliminating fretting on shafts and sleeves