Dual Cartridge Mechanical Seal, as a sealing device widely used in various industrial equipment, its function is to prevent fluid leakage, ensuring the equipment runs safely and efficiently. However, in actual use, dual cartridge mechanical seal sometimes experiences leakage, affecting the normal operation of the equipment. This article will delve into the causes of failure and measures to extend the dual cartridge mechanical seal's service life.
In theory, dual cartridge mechanical seals, under reasonable dynamic fluid lubrication conditions, should have a relatively high service life. However, in actual applications, the failure of dual cartridge mechanical seals is often related to several factors. Firstly, assembly errors are one of the main causes of leakage. During assembly, if the parts do not fit properly, it might result in the sealing surfaces not effectively contacting, thus causing leakage.
Moreover, human operational errors are also critical reasons for dual cartridge mechanical seal's failure. For instance, if operators fail to correctly monitor the equipment status during operation, it might lead to dry friction in the pump, accelerating seal wear. Additionally, the failure of the shaft seal water cooling system is another significant issue. If the cooling system is not properly turned on before starting the equipment, the friction pairs of the sealing surface may burn out due to lack of lubrication, leading to dual cartridge mechanical seal leakage.
Lastly, due to the instability of manufacturing processes, frequent start-ups and shut-downs impose severe impacts on dual cartridge mechanical seals, causing them to work under unfavorable conditions, which further exacerbates seal damage.
Regarding dual cartridge mechanical seal leakage issues, taking corresponding preventive measures is particularly important. Firstly, strengthening the control of mechanical seal assembly quality is key to extending its service life. Short-term seal failure, especially when the actual service life is less than 24 hours, is usually due to assembly personnel not thoroughly understanding technical requirements. Therefore, enhancing the training of assembly workers, improving their technical level, and ensuring strict adherence to mechanical seal technical requirements during assembly will effectively reduce leakage caused by assembly problems.
Secondly, strengthening operational control is an important measure to extend the dual cartridge mechanical seal's life. During the operation phase of the pump, avoiding frequent starts and stops reduces the wear of the friction pairs' end faces by solid particles in the slurry medium. By optimizing operational procedures to minimize equipment impact, the performance of the dual cartridge mechanical seal can be effectively improved.
Additionally, improving the shaft seal water cooling system can significantly enhance the performance of dual cartridge mechanical seals. Ensuring that the shaft seal water is turned on first before starting the pump, filling the sealing chamber with coolant and lubrication medium, is a crucial measure to protect the dual cartridge mechanical seal. Generally, it is recommended to wait at least 3 minutes after stopping the pump to turn off the shaft seal water, ensuring the friction pair end faces are sufficiently cooled and lubricated during shutdown, to avoid damage due to dry friction.