The importance of a cool fluid film
A mechanical seal consists of two treads that provide the primary seal for the pump. Friction between the two treads creates heat, which can cause excessive wear and sealing failure. To prevent this, a cool liquid film is essential.
The traditional method to facilitate this is the “quench to drain” method, which wastes up to 6 million liters of water per pump per year. The thermosyphon seal flushing principle prevents waste and ensures that the seal is continuously cooled.
With a single mechanical seal, the process liquid functions as a liquid film between the treads. As long as the medium is suitable for this, this will not result in problems. However, many fluids are unsuitable for cooling and lubricating treads. Think of liquids that evaporate due to the pressure loss between the treads, too cold or too hot liquids, slurries and more. When the process fluid is not suitable, an external barrier fluid is critical to maintaining a good fluid film, which greatly increases service life.
The thermosyphon effect
In a natural way, the cooled liquid flows from the pressure vessel into the seal, with which the seal is cooled. The friction heats the liquid, which then flows back to the vessel, where it is cooled again.
The liquid in the seal flushing tank is selected based on the medium to be pumped. The pressure vessel is easy to clean with the removable lid.
Advantages of thermosyphon seal support
Huge water savings: the Thermosyphon seal flushing method provides annual water savings of approximately 1-6 million liters of water per pump.
Lower operating costs: thermosyphone systems are largely maintenance-free and reduce the extent to which seals must be replaced
Reduction of energy consumption: the amount of water that can reach the product along the treads is reduced to the absolute minimum, so that otherwise necessary evaporation processes within the production process are no longer necessary
Short payback time: the savings on water, energy and operational costs ensure a short payback time
Sustainable solution: the water and energy savings and longer service life of seals make this method a sustainable solution
