Mechanical Seals

Overview

The Mechanical Seals course consists of four lessons designed for persons with a basic understanding of the operation and maintenance of pumps, agitators, and rotating equipment. The lessons in this course train participants to work effectively with mechanical seals. The functions, operation, and repair of common mechanical seals are demonstrated. The course presents specific procedures for failure analysis and identification, seal removal, disassembly, reassembly, and installation

Objective

• Explain the purpose of mechanical seals.
• Identify the basic components of a mechanical seal.
• Identify the types of materials commonly used to make seal faces and elastomers.
• Describe the characteristics of materials commonly used to make seal faces.
• Identify the types of materials commonly used to make seal hardware.
• Describe the characteristics of materials commonly used to make seal hardware.
• Identify the primary sealing points of a mechanical seal.
• Identify the secondary sealing points of a mechanical seal.
• Identify the characteristics and limitations of mechanical seals.
• Describe the characteristics of packing.
• Identify applications in which packing is installed to control process leakage.
• Explain when packing should be replaced by a mechanical seal.
• Describe a single seal and list its uses.
• Describe a double seal and list its uses.
• Describe a tandem seal and list its uses.
• Describe a cartridge seal and list its uses.
• Define an inside seal and explain its use.
• Define an outside seal and explain its use.
• Explain how process fluid affects mechanical seals.
• Explain how temperature affects mechanical seals.
• List the steps necessary to prepare for removing a failed mechanical seal.
• List the steps to removing a failed mechanical seal.
• Perform a failure analysis to determine the cause of seal failure.
• Identify the means to correct the problem or condition that caused seal failure.
• List the steps to follow to properly analyze seal failure.
• Describe seal damage caused by chemical attack.
• Describe seal damage caused by heat.
• Describe seal damage caused by mechanical action.
• Remove a failed mechanical seal.
• Disassemble a failed mechanical seal.
• Identify the correct tool for O-ring extraction.
• Remove O-rings from a mechanical seal.
• Replace O-rings on a mechanical seal.
• Perform the preliminary checks prior to seal installation.
• Reassemble and install a new or repaired mechanical seal.