Choosing between “component” and “cartridge”

mechanical seals
Liquid Pumpage Vaporized Liquid

Rotating Shaft
By Gene Vogel
EASA Pump and Vibration Specialist
For many larger centrifugal pumps, Rotating Seal Face Stationary Seal Face
there are options for installing “com-
ponent” or “cartridge” mechanical Figure 1. Common mechanical seal.
seals. Understanding the advantages
and limitations of each will allow you
to recommend the best solution for
customer applications.
There are many suppliers for both
types of seals, and a wealth of detailed
information is available from any
competent supplier for a specific ap-
plication. Here we will try to present
the basics.
Mechanical seals have two ele-
ments: a rotating element and a
stationary element. Each element has Figure 2. Component seal. Figure 3. Cartridge seal.
a precision smooth lapped face which
mates against the other element face.
are vibration, heat and the pumpage and elastomers may be damaged by
See Figure 1. The condition of the
characteristics. sliding over shaft shoulders, keyways
faces and the pressure applied to them
or sharp edges of the seal housing.
are the primary factors in how well Component mechanical seal Often the seal housing provides limited
the seal performs. Other key factors Standard mechanical seals are access, so small hands and precision
generally component seals. When adjustments are needed. While a good
you open the box for a replacement

“
experienced pump technician can do
For many larger cen- component seal, you have ‘compo- a fine job of installing any component
trifugal pumps, there are nents’ – seal faces, holding brackets, seal, the opportunities are there for
O-rings, boots, etc. See Figure 2. The
options for installing “com- pump technician needs the knowledge
mistakes.
pone nt ” or “car t r idge ” and skills to properly install and adjust Cartridge mechanical seals
mechanical seals. Under- the seal components. Incorrect instal- Cartridge mechanical seals (see
standing the advantages lation practices are a common cause of Figure 3) use components similar
and limitations of each will mechanical pump seal failure. The seal to those in component seals, but the
faces may not be properly seated on the shaft-mounted components are pre-
allow you to recommend shaft or in the seal housing, resulting assembled onto a mounting sleeve
the best solution for cus- in misaligned faces. The seal tension
tomer applications.
” may not be set properly, or O-rings Continued on Page 2

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Choosing between “component” and “cartridge” mechanical seals
Continued From Page 1

and the stationary components are Applications

pre-assembled into a housing. The Cartridge mechanical
sleeve mounts over the shaft and seals seals are not a solution for
to the shaft with an O‑ring. Typically many pump designs. The
the cartridge seal housing replaces details of whether a car-
the gland cover plate and seals to the tridge mechanical seal can
pump housing with a gasket, O‑ring be fitted to an application
or other elastomer. are complex. But a basic
Since the components of the concern is whether the
cartridge mechanical seal are pre- seal installs from the wet
assembled onto the sleeve and into the side or dry side of the seal
cartridge housing, there is no opportu- chamber. Pumps where
nity for mis-installation. An important the seal installs from the
factor in a successful seal installation is wet side, behind the im-
the amount of spring tension applied to peller, are generally not
the seal faces. With a component seal, candidates for cartridge
this may be set manually by adjusting mechanical seals. In addi-
the installed seal spring length. With tion, submersible pumps,
cartridge mechanical seals, the spring which are most often fit-
tension is preset and the rotating ted with dual component Figure 4. Cartridge dual mechanical seal.
and stationary elements are held in seals, cannot be converted (Photo courtesy of Garlock.)
alignment by a retaining device. The to cartridge mechanical
retaining device is removed after the seals, because the seals install from the ed from eliminating seal failures
seal is mounted in place so that the wet side of the pump. that result from improper installation
proper tension is assured. of component seals by technicians with
Decisions limited knowledge and skill in seal
There are two main concerns when installation, and less than optimum

“
deciding between a component and installation conditions.
If a service center is cartridge seal: ease of installation
working with a customer and cost. In the service center, ease Other decision factors
to find the most cost effec- of installation may have little value, There are many pumping envi-
since presumably the work is done by ronments and applications that are
tive, long-term solution to a competent pump technician under tough on seals: high temperature, high
pump maintenance, and good working conditions. So the con- pressure, foul pumpage laden with
in-service seal replacement cern is for subsequent seal replacement abrasives and lots of others. For many
is expected, a cartridge me- at the customer ’s facility, likely by of the tough applications, a double
chanical seal will likely be their technicians. If the repair is being seal provides a very effective solution.
quoted in a price competitive situation, Double seals have a chamber between
a good choice. Also, when a component seal would be the obvious the seals into which barrier fluid can
converting a pump from a choice. Cartridge mechanical seals may be pumped to provide cooling, lubri-
packing type to mechanical cost 2 to 3 times more than a compo- cation and protection from abrasives
seal, a cartridge mechani- nent seal. But if the customer wants in the pumpage. But it would be very
the most cost-effective, long-term challenging to redesign a single seal
cal seal offers an excellent pump to accept dual component seals.
solution, and expects that maintaining
means of engineering the the pump may include in-service seal Cartridge mechanical seals can be a
change. For quotes where replacement, the cartridge seal can be solution. The precision components
low initial cost is an impor- shown to be worth the higher initial of a cartridge mechanical seal can be
tant concern, component investment. designed so that dual seals can easily fit
The savings come from lower labor in the space where a single component
seals – and a well trained costs and less production downtime seal had been. See Figure 4.
pump technician – provide when subsequent seal replacement is
the best option.
” needed. Further savings can be project-
Continued on Page 3

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Choosing between “component” and “cartridge” mechanical seals
Continued From Page 2

Impeller clearance adjustment seal faces and other circumferential Summary

Some pumps, particularly those components are split in two halves so If a service center is working with a
with semi-open impellers, require they can be assembled on the pump customer to find the most cost effective,
periodic adjustment of the impeller without disassembling the pump. long-term solution to pump mainte-
face clearance. The adjustment is often Since each circumferential component nance, and in-service seal replacement
achieved by moving the pump shaft has to be properly fitted and sealed is expected, a cartridge mechanical seal
axially. This affects the tension on back into a single piece, installation will likely be a good choice. Also, when
the seal as the shaft is moved. Reset- of split seals can be problematic and converting a pump from a packing
ting the tension on a component seal requires a high degree of technical type to mechanical seal, a cartridge me-
would require significant disassembly ability. Any mistakes and the seal – chanical seal offers an excellent means
of the pump. However, most cartridge won’t. Recent developments in seal of engineering the change. For quotes
mechanical seals are provided with technology have made available split where low initial cost is an important
retaining devices, which can be rein- cartridge mechanical seals, which concern, component seals – and a well
stalled, allowing easy resetting of the greatly simplify the installation of trained pump technician – provide the
seal after the impeller face clearance split seals. The decision on choosing best option. l
has been adjusted. a split cartridge mechanical seal vs.
other options is again ease of instal- l l l l l
Split cartridge mechanical seals lation vs. cost. If the application has
Replacing a mechanical pump seal, historically required in-service seal Editor’s Note: A PDF of this article is
component or cartridge, usually re- replacement, and pump disassembly available in the “Resource Library” at
quires disassembly of the pump. One is difficult, the additional cost may www.easa.com.
way around having to disassemble the well be justified.
pump is to use a “split” seal. The split

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