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ump seal standard API 682

as deficiencies
ustryguidelines' attempt to increase Looking in-depth on this seal standard, many perfor-
mance and design criteria were identified that will affect
ling system's reliability may take a future pump selections. Using API 682-qualified seals
er time to fully impact plant usage offers benefits such as increased service, fugitive emis-
sions control, etc., but at a cost. The following reviews
the pros and cons for API 682 from the pump-user'& view-
It. Iyer, Reliance Petroleum, Ltd., Jamnagar, India point.

truggling to meet ever-tightening, stringent emis- Prominent features. To understand the benefits and
sion regulations, hydrocarbon processing plants shortcomings of API 682, we must know what it contains.
are evaluating all possible alternatives that can cut The standard's salient features are:
eluninate fugitive releases. Nearly 70% of centrifugal • API 682 applies to 909< of the refinery services and
;"'l:p maintenance is due. t.o mec~a~ical seal failures, a seal sizes ranging from 30 mm to 120 mm, temperature
dmg contributor to fUgItIve emISSIons. The new stan- from -40°C to 260cC and pressures from 0 to 34.5 tar .
•.•-API 682 was developed exclusively to set guidelines • The standard COWl'S seven major refinery services
1 dictate mechanical seal performance and specifica- areas including:
..s.API 682'5 goal: define centrifugal pump seal-seal- Water and aqueous solutions
S\'stems performance and design criteria that will Sour water
-vereliability, increase pump-seal service life and help CausticsJ1ean amines and other crystallizing
I vac emissions. surfaces
Acids
'"9 pains, API 682 focuses on defining shaft-seal- Nonflashing hydrocarbons (vapor pressure Ie'};;
~ systems for centrifugal and rotary pumps; however, than 1 bar at pumping temperature)
IS not a mechanical seal standard. Also, it sets perfor- Flashing hydrocarbons (vapor pressure greater
nee and design criteria for mechanical seals used in than 1 bar at pumping temperature)
latest generation API 610 7th and 8th edition, and Rich amines,
1676 pumps. • The seven areas are defined into two pressure l"?nges
Published in October 1994, and several tempetdture
I 682 was developed by a ranges; the upper pressure
'en-member end-user task range begins at 250 psi".
with input from pump • For applications not
.d seal manufacturers. falling in the listed categories
publication, users won- (about lOC;; of the refinery
r if the guideline's first services), an applicatiof;cspe-
aft met the task force's orig- cific review and engineered-
,a! goals. Questions have sealing system maY' be
n;-.en such as: What does required.
PI 682 intend to achieve? • API 682-qualified Y2als
at benefits does it offer to should provide at least ~hree
'mp users? What are the years of uninterrupted ser-
"-'l"t:'Omings within the stan- vice while still complying
'rd') What standard seg- with emission regulatio::s.
nts need improvement? Fig_ 1. Arrangement 1-single mechanical seal. • A standard sea] design
/\
Al-Gl'ST 1S'S7
 GLOSS;\Ff{
A completely se1f-Gonta1neG unit (including
sea!: gland; :3!e2·-~'e and iTlating ring)} which \s
preasserr,oiej and prsset before instailatiofi.
A mechanical seal, \vhich is flushed by
pumping liquid or uses liquid as
buffer/bard9f rnediurn.

A seal type in \-vhich the sea! faces are

separated by inert gas as against a liquid
for a wet seal. This seal type is not covered
by API 682.
One of the seal faces, which is flexibly
mounted using springs or bellows and can
axial!y move.
The seal face that provides the primary
seal when in contact with the seal ring. The
mating ring can either be mounted on the Fig. 2, Arrangement 2-dual un pressurized buffer mechanical s,
shaft sleeve or in a housing. Thus, it can
either be a rotating or stationary face of
the seal. The mating ring can not axiai!y mU3t be te3ted and qualified under the service co;
move and is rigidly fixed.
ticE3 for which it will opt:rate. Seals mlist pass inteF
A seal arrangement using more than one
seal in the seai chamber in any orientation
tes"Ling. i.f .. air te:3ting of the assen1bly. Pressure-;:
that can use either a pressurized barrier fluid taining parts, e.g .. seal chamber and seal gland, she-
or a nonpressurized buffer fluid (pre'ilous!y be hydraulically tested at 1.5 times the maximum
referred to as a double or tandem sea!). able pump working pre33ure.
It refers to the seal confguration in the seal Qualification te3ting iI1\'0lye3 evaluating
chamber. Le .. whether the sea! is single or
dual (pressurized or un pressurized) seal. seal sizes, types and arrangementc:: i"
three categoric
Defines the construction of the seal, Le., nonhydrocarbons, nonfla3hing hydrocarbons and Hz,
whether the seal is pusher type or having hydrocarbons, This test does not cotl3titute an ac.
rotating bello'tis or stationary bellows. tance test. Thus, there is no pas3/fail require men'
A mechanical seal in which the secondary the seal design qualification: the purchaser is em,
seal, such as shaft packing or ring, is
ered to evaluate the tested seal design and to decide
mechanicaily pushed along the shaft or
sieeve to compensate for face wear. suitability for the intended service. The inten t is De

A mechanical seal in which the secondary test every individual seal size in all fluids. but to quo
seal is fixed to the shaft the overall design.
A device such as an o-ring or bellows, that The qualification test seals shall have the saWE(
allows a>:ial movement or the seal face figuration, type, design and materials as offered to
without undue leakage. It also applies to
other o-rings or gaskets that prevent
purchaser. Testing v,'ill be done with four different
leakage around the seal oomponents such fluids-water, propane, 20S: NaOH solution and mil'
as gland gasket, mating ring, a-ring, etc. oiLEach test fluid shall consist of three phases--dyDJ'
The two seal faces, seai ring a'1d mating ring static and cyclic.
are calied the primary seaL They are primarily • Dual seals will be tested both as single and dud:·
responsible for preventing pump leakage.
A fluid that is introduced between the dual
• The qualification test shall be done at maxiCl
mechanical seals to compietely isolate the
angular and radial misalignment.
pump process liquid from the environment. • Fully complement API 682 seals can not fit into
Barrier fluid pressure is always higher than API 610 7th edition pumps without considerable me>;
the process pressure being sealed. cations and expen3e.
A fluid used as a lubricant or buffer
between dual mechanical seals. The fluid
• The standard specifies that cartridge seal arrB;
is always at a pressure lower than the
ment shall be required for all services,
pump process pressure being sealed. " Three basic sealing arrangements and three
A neutral fluid, usually water or steam, types are defined {Figs. 1--3 and Table 2):
introduced on the seai's atmospheric side •••.Arrangemen t 1 is a single catridge seal iFig·
to retard solid formation that may interiere Arrangement 2 is a dual un pressurized seaL'"
tJ>
with the seal movement. It is usually
provided for crystallizing process fluids. was previously known as tandem seal (Fig, 2) .
A device that forms a restriC'tive close tJ> Arrangement 3 is a dual pressurized 3eEll
clearance around the sleeve or shaft at the seal faces in tandem arrangement. but with the outer
outboard end of the mechanical seal. API chamber at a higher presc::urethan the product (Fig·
682 requires that it be made from
~ Type A seal is a pu:::her seal incorporating 0-
nonspar1r<ing material.
A device that forms a restrictive close
as secondary seals {Table Ii
clearance around the sleeve or shaft Typ~B seal is low temperature metal belloWS
tJ>

between the seal and impeller. Thus, it is (Table 1).

on the seal's inboard end. ~ Type C seal is high temperature metal b~(.
 Table 1, API 682 sea! types

Type A--Pusher
Rotallng flexible elernent. multiple spring, a-ring secondarif -
Reaction bonded silicon carbide 'is premium grade biister-fr::-
carbon
Fluoroelastonler o~rings
Hasteailoy C springs
Premium carbon Hoating bushing in giand

Type B---RotaUng bellows

Rotating bellows, o-ling secondaries
Reaction bonded silicon carbide vs. premium grade bliste,
•
;J;. Afranaement
' •..• 3-dual seals with pressurized barrier. resistant carbon
Fluoroelastomer a-rings

being pumped andior a buffer/barrier liquid. Dry Hastealloy C bBl!ows

;n(", DOllcontacting or gas lubricated seals are not Premium carbon floating bushing in gland
>·U
Type C~Stat~onary beHo'l'ls
I' \\';'1enever barrier/buffer fluid systems are used. a Stationary beHows, flexible graphite secondaries
forced seal-flush system like pumping ring
Reaction bonded silicon carbide lIS. premium grade blister-
flush pump shall be provided. Systems using resistant carbon
to maintain circulation are not permis.~-
Flexible graphite secondaries
Incone! 718 bellows
" Seal support systems are specified in detail &nd are
Premium carbon floating bushing in gland
in roost cases .
• Material recommendations are yery specific. The
- mandates using premium material grades. The
I ring shall be of premium grade, blister-free carbon, Merit-s of ';'\PI 6-82. T:'1e potential benefits for users und;c
API 682 are:
if' the mating ling is a reaction bonded silicon carbide.
abrasive services. using two hard materials is recom- II;>- Complement "eals should achieve a seal life ofthn
ded. years, which translate" into increased pump performan,_'
• Allseal components, including sleeve and gland. must and reliability, reduced maintenance and downtime an'
""1?,nufac.turedby the seal manufacturer. lower operating expenses.
~;~ot cO',ered by API 682 is the design ofthe sears com- ~ Emission control compliance is enabled.
!t> It aims at standardization and mechanical seal COD·
~;cntparts However, the design and
shall be compatible for the specified servi.ce con- sistency.
~. making the seal assembly in catridge arrang'-"
•.All documents related to the seal should be furnished ment mandatory. installation errors are eliminated an,
thE' results of qUlfdilJ,:::alcion also downtime is reduced since the seal is preset and i;
'ld hydraulic tests, rate offace generated heat and esti- "ready to instal!" condition.
2ted heat soak for the design, thrust loads associated f» Since an seal components are supplied by the sea
mechanical seal including spring forces and hydraulic vendor, any mismatching of components supplied by twr
'~"t'" The seal supplier should supply the maximum a..x.ial vendors (pump and seal vendors) is avoided, The sea'
,,,ment (both in extension and compression) from the performance or nonperformance is entirely the seal sup-
, position that the seal can tolerate without adversely plier's responsibility. Before the standard came into exis
perforrnance. If purnping ring has been provided, tence, the pump vendor used to supply sleeve, gland
seal vendor v;:i1lfurnish head vs. flow performance plate, etc.
<,'.1 on actual test results and also the device's NPSHR I> By specifying qualification, integrity and hydraulic
~P8HA. tests, the selected seal is proven before instalJation.
•. The standard prescribes a systematic and simple seal 1>.API 682 enables the sea] to function in a more envi-
,<,tion procedure. For each three basic service condi- ronmentally friendly atmosphere. The maximum per-
nonhydrocarbons, nonflashing hydrocarbons missible shaftnmouts, the clearame between the cham
hydrocarbons, three seal typos arc recom- bel' and seal's OD auxiliary support systems, et:., are very
,ded. One is the standard seal type, the second is the stringent.
. ",dard and the last is the required special fea- /> The standard specifies voluminous data to be trans-
ferred from the seal vendor to the end-user that \"'as not
• Shaft sleeves shall be designed as one piece and furnished earlier.
a shoulder (or shouldersi for positively locat- ll>. The seal selection procedure is very simple yet sys-
element. Also, coating the sleeve with tematic.
-";,e-o:.-ide or aluminUlTr oxide under flexible member is
;ecornn1E~ndf'd.
Doating throttle bushing is r0com~ cJ;:ed'}~ n(jn~t,JJI6H2 catridge seals are ver.y slrnilar
'~d~·din the seal gland. and close variEwts of the API 682 seal, but do not
 . welL How can API 682 seals be expected to Consequently. jf a particular seryice meets the pressure,
,en .
.~j '''Tupwd seaJ, "(
li.t: 01"" ~'Pl
a,}()U! tnrt'(' years' \Ii Wf(' temperature, and :'lze Jim]ts. but the speed exceed" 25
$!,Ji,
"1'1"'.(' ,'f'f '}h
-~f;'prence.s? The <'i:U.fer-ence lS t_)at t e /'1...)
~:,
6~.:52
'fI m:s. then the '>"Ton§'",election can occur.
dId' in ~ •.i
a friendly and cooler• ~
atmosphere.
..
The r>
I> The standard does not include non-contacting. gas
• a,n'l/ . ]1
~ • .i;
~prhanical
.•·.,·•....
-
seal to prOVlQesatrsiaclory
. •
p'cr- barrier seals. which are popular seals. These seals have
: ·,,-.n''i- on material
elJ deuel' .-4-_' ,"
integTitv and desig.'!1that
' <-- ~ <-
proven to be more reliable and em'ironmentally-friendly
. of the sealing faces. Sealing face distor- than the wet mechanical seals.
~"(:;n b'_e c-""ed >- By its variety reduction and standardization, API
a ,-",-"- - bv hYdraulic
~'~,~ ,. pressure.
'_.'. mechanical
. . .
""prmal dlstortlOl1S. By•.' usmg 682 kills initiativE'. For instancE', seal manufacturers ha\'e
q",;';: an'
• ct-
lJl_ ,<..-......rlgld speCIfl-
.
,,~.'"..{,. the seal-chamber pressure, seal·chamber dnnen- developed a "vide variety of components and designs for
,,), .·mW'1 "haft run outs perrGissible, seal support seals such as:
maX-J j ), •. J.._ '. ' •

'- _;.~ premJum crade matenals specs, etc., con-

a"~'<&!J.., <..J
\\lave springs, single coil spring
;~:;de the API 682 seal chamber are more com- Varieties of seal face materials like ceramic, Nire-
,:~... the seal. These stipulations in API 682 sist, severa] grades of carbon, silicon carbides and tungston
carbides
:',,<r h)rn~'u'r"thlat
(.' i'"' .,-' the seal will onerate in cooler envi-.r--

-\:--', a~d include: Various beJ]ow material like tetlon bellows, metallic
radial clearance betvveen rotating mem- bellows, rubber bellows
sea] and/or pumping ring "ith the seal chamber l\lany secondary seals like U-cup seal, tenon wedge
should be a minimum of 3 mm. and follower, TEC rings
seal-flush system such as circumferen- Outside mount<"d seal for acid and alkali service. etc.
multi-port arrangement for all single seals ",;ith The seal vendors used to offer these designs depend-
'''''".,1' flexible elements. ing ;-"pon the application. Now with the standardization,
,d""" " •.. th .. " -- -:d +' - o~; -h 11b ,~ - theo:e deo:igns l1lay be very limited.
{.XH")J~lectlonsLV~e pI OL-eb::' ~J e 0-.:-bE ~~18..u .€ 1J1 lTi. Q...i

;" place of usual 7~ in. >- For ··bctv.'een-b~'ariDg" pumps using a pUD1ping ring

HbettA-'een-bearing pUJnps: if the seal re(r~ires a COO}ET and. or single ce,il spring, the direction ofrot.ation should be
huffer/barrier reservoir, a separate cooler and rese-r~ conf:rmed be:fbre ir:st.3.~ing the catridge assernblies. because
, - be provide~ f~r e~ch In~c~h:ni('~113eal. . the single cojl spring 2.Iu:1 pUTI1ping ring are w1idirecbonal.
for barner.[)uner flUlo. sh,)ud nave a coolIng The standard does not specify any foolproof provision to
ensure that NDE and DE side cat ridge assemblies are not
These factors Blake the ~.\PI 6S2-qualif1ed seal as hav- accidently interchanged by the mechanic, Stamping/chem-
e high probability in achie\~lng a s~ryice-life of three ically etching of directie'na} arrows and Jetter DE 8..11d NDE
rs or D1ore. on the gland plate or some other similar mean.s should be
Inandated to ensure that such mistakes do not occur.
re are t::4:epr-wbh~IYt:s? \:llith any ne\\' z.:.tandard.ization
,eam. there are always short gaps. API 682 has pro- In r~tntHii!Jie{:t. The full impact of A..PI682, which was
~Dmegreat guidance ftTf'
_~:~~;~d but sonle areas are introduced in 1994, is still not knov,n and v,ill take more
time. Type A and B seals in configuration/Arrangements
~ API 682 is a stELnd~,aJc~nc~seal. standard. It is not 1 al1d 2 have been in e:lstencE' prior tDAPI 682. Type C seal
w pre-i\PI
610 7th edition and ANSI pumps. in AIrangement 3 is reiatiwly new and its performance
present scope is limited to only the latest API 610 and feedback is unkno\vn. For the API 682 standard to become
}i 676 pumps. Retrofitting pre-API 7tb edition pumps universally applicable and revolutionary, the standard's
th API 682 seal is very costly and may not produce the scope should be expanded so that it becomes a standard for
"'ired life, since the pump wij] not comply with maxi- mechanical seals. Areas where it is lacking should be con-
permissible shaft deflections and seal chamber sidered and revised. In India, it will take years to force
,T;i·nsions.Thus. the standard's benefits can only be real- seal vendors to offer API 682-quaJified seals and for pur-
in new plants. chasers to specify API 682 seals.
II> r'.he standard aims and does not guarantee a seal life
BLRLIOG1-L4.PHY
',hree years. If the seal fails prematurely, the seal ven-
~~nd RClar-:, ~ Flrs'. Ed-. 1994
is not penalized. End-users may end up paying Scaling S:a.ndard. H,dro{~.rhon P.r'xe.;:.,;;

reased costs for the same seal life as nonAPI 682 seal.
> The seal qualification test does not have any pass or
For any test to be meaningful, a dear
",.:Tai]criterion is essential. Seal vendors should not be
to interpret results and decide whether the K. R. !yer is a senior manager (Pianning) for
is suitable for the intended service. Heliance Petroleum Ltd" Jarnnagarr India. He
has a.lso y/orkf:;'o in fertilizer cornpanies like KRfB~
l>- The qualification and test is specified only /-iCO, Tata Chemicals Ud" and Oswai Agro
seal assemblies .. Normally, users buy only CiJemicais and Fertiiizer Ltd. He has over 14
components as spares. Some fear that the standard years of experience jn gas-based fertilizer units
and has authored rnany arVcfes in various inter-
increases for seal spares.
national and Indian technical journals. t"A!: lyeI'
the g""-uidelines/scope, on1,}" ternperature~ has also de/ii/Bred rnany pa{H3rS arid case-studies in various sem-
siTe and n1edia art: specified. 'rbe stand2ird sets inars and is B gr"r:f!..!citernechanJcal engineer frorn Safe/at Patel Uni~
-mits for speed. It only that if exceed versify. He a F:<'G.Diplorne business 2i-drninistr~:.J.tjona.(jrj rnain-
ienance rnanagernent.
s, s: detailed re"\ric\v UJa:,- be rf:quire-:d.