Process industries use pumps by the hundreds of which centrifugal pumps hold a lion’s share. Gland Packing (GP) sets have mostly given way to Mechanical Seals (MS) because of present day environmental regulations not tolerating even the small necessary leaks of Gland Packing. In addition the small gland leaks pose numerous problems e.g. lost fluids, housekeeping problems, leaks reaching the bearings and consequent premature failures and above constant power loss to the tune of 2% of even more of the power required for pumping, as the GP grips the shaft tightly like forgotten to disengage handbrake of an automobile. This article discusses static MS failures and remedies and MS dynamic seal misalignment problems and remedies.

2013 Chari Static and Dynamic Mechanical Seals Failure.pdf