Seal Support Systems II
Usually I like to start my articles on a positive note in the form of a funny introduction or a bit of wisdom to share in order to make a point. So this article is a bit off for my style and maybe too directly to the point. Since I started focussing on the environment to make people aware of our biodiversity and complex ecosystems and its preserving, it is not difficult to find research and other articles from scholars that try to make us aware of the challenges we face. In my last article I focussed on water savings and we saw that seal support systems are a great way for saving water. But there are also other factors to keep in mind, such as pollution. According to a report from WWF published in July 2020, the population of migratory freshwater fish species has plummeted globally by an average of 76% since 1970 and in Europe even 93% due to overfishing and pollution. By the time we get to 2050, there will probably be no opportunities to spend some father- son time by going fishing. So here is how I would like to contribute to preserving our nature, by making people aware of the importance of single seal upgrades and its benefits.
Dual seal conversion and upgrades
As we all know by now, we know that all seals leak about a teaspoon a day. They have to leak in order to stay lubricated and cool. But what if the substance that is being pumped around is toxic, even in small quantities? H?S and Benzene are not the kind of chemicals you want to release in the atmosphere. So here are the most common reasons to upgrade to double seals and a support system.
1. Legislation (such as VOCs or Volatile Hazardous Air Pollutions VHAPs)
2. Health and safety
3. Corporate responsibility
4. Fire Risk
Fortunately there are guidelines available to help you navigate through the process, such as API guidelines, AESSEAL guides, best practice rules of thumb. Shell for example has the Shell DEP 31-29-00-33 Gen (Design Engineering Practice), where a fee will have to paid in order to use these standards, but there are also others such as SASOL and Takreer. A recommended user guide for example is the Phillips 66 REP 6-1-4. For crude oil refineries AESSEAL has also published a document that provides guidance.
The API 682 provides a seal arrangement selection method using material safety data sheet (MSDS) information. The MSDS is written according to GHS United Nations harmonised definition provide ‘H Statements’. These H statements in turn are divided into 4 groups according to their hazard. MSDS written according to The European Dangerous Substances Directive 67/548/EEC ‘R Phrases’ Can also be grouped in a similar way:
H Statements’ or ‘R Phrases’ are divided into 4 groups according to their hazard:
- Group I is the most hazardous group & includes highly toxic substances or high temperature applications G
- Group II includes substances that are dangerous if inhaled
- Group III includes substances that if leaked could potentially be flammable if there was a second event – such as a spark
- Group IV includes substances that are harmful to the environment
Depending with which group you are dealing with, a compatible double seal can then be selected as well as the Auxiliary system.
If you do not have a selection preference and are dealing with optimising the VOC and VHAP’s we can help you with this. Just send me a direct message and we can help you navigate through it.
Until next time and stay safe...