EIC - Wet Mechanical Seal Fundamentals

Company Profile
John Crane is the acknowledged leader and world’s largest developer, manufacturer and supplier of engineered sealing systems, solutions and associated products. John Crane provides a complete selection of engineered mechanical seals, mechanical packing and sealing support systems, complemented by power transmission couplings, engineered bearings and filtration systems all supported by their customer service and technical support network. John Crane is a subsidiary of Smiths Group PLC.

Ian Smith has spent the last 36 years working with mechanical seals; he started employment with the Manchester Oil Refinery – Mechanical Seals division (Flexibox) in 1972 as a Technical Apprentice.
Over the years he has worked in many area’s of the company including: Research & Development, Technical Sales, Group Technical Support, Senior Application Engineer and Technical Services Manager.
In 1999 Ian accepted the position of John Crane EAA (Europe, Asia & Africa) Training Manager and training facilities manager which is his present role.
In this role he has been responsible for all customer and Internal product training in John Crane and has provided numerous courses on Mechanical Seals to a wide range of customer’s world-wide.

This course is for managers, engineers, graduates, operators, maintenance and other personnel requiring general mechanical seal familiarization, specifically in the areas of specification, engineering, operation and maintenance of pumps and agitators.

This course has been designed for individuals who are new or are requiring awareness of mechanical seals in the field of engineering, operations and maintenance functions. However, it also provides an excellent review for individuals who have been involved with mechanical seals, but have not received formal training.
The workshop will give graduates an appreciation of equipment they may be procuring but may not have seen, and will also bring the UK supply chain closer to the customer. The workshop will include a test facility and service centre tour for attendees to learn and understand the process of assembly, quality assurance and testing involved in the delivery of the finished product.
The course provides attendees with a general understanding of the workings of mechanical seals and the underlying engineering principles from which they are designed. The course is intended to provide a broad based familiarization with mechanical seals technology, engineering features, operations and maintenance concepts to engineering and management staff.

Participants may submit questions on engineering and operation issues faced in their jobs in advance. Attendees’ understanding of the course is assessed through question and answer periods.

Course Highlights

Gland Packing (Review Only)
Its Advantages / Disadvantages and Materials Available
Why Mechanical Seals?
Simple Seal Development
Mechanical Seal Theory – How They Work
Primary Seal: Faces separated by fluid film
lapping: why / how / measurement
Secondary Seal: Sealing device allowing axial movement
including materials used and surface finishes required
pusher and non-pusher seals
Tertiary Seal: Four basic types
Pump Assembly Checks
Tolerances to give extended seal life
The Environment of a Mechanical Seal
Secondary Containment (Basic designs only)
Multiple Seals: Tandem; Pressurised; Dual
Seals for Top Entry Agitators
Sealant Systems
Cartridge Seals
What are they?
Advantages
Why Seals Fail (Overview only)
Wet seal Failure Analysis
Case Studies
Latest Technology (A Flavour)
Dry Gas Seal cartridge designs.
Spiral Groove Technology Seals for Pumps
LaserFace®
Course Review & Close
Q & A
Feedback

Time

Programme

Responsibilities

Comments

08:40-09:00

Arrival & Registration Tea/Coffee

09:00-09:15

Introduction to Company, Course and Course Objectives

09:15-09:30

Gland Packing

Where it fits, why it is required, and how it works. Materials available, and their uses. The advantages and disadvantages of Gland Packing. Quickly reviewed.

09:30-10:30

Mechanical Seal Theory – Part 1
Why Mechanical Seals?

How a mechanical seal works, identifying the various components and understanding why they are there and what they do. How mechanical seals are lubricated. Hardware materials. Single seals.

10:30-10:40

Tea/Coffee

10:40-11:40

Mechanical Seal Theory – Part 2

Pusher and non-pusher seal designs, their uses in various applications and industries. Elastomer materials used and their performance parameters. Machinery preparation and assembly tolerances and checks.

11:40-12:30

The Environment of a Mechanical Seal

A single seal may not be acceptable due to safety, function or cost considerations. Secondary Containment & various Multiple Seal arrangements. Seals for Top Entry Agitators. Cooling & lubrication systems for multiple seals.

12:30-13:10

Lunch

Informal Question & Answer Session & general discussion

13:10-13:50

Latest Technology

Reduced contact and non-contacting mechanical seal designs, with extremely low wear and power consumption, with low to zero leakage and extended life.

13:50-14:40

Group A 13.50 – 14.15 Service Centre Tour Group
Group A 14.15 – 14.40 Hands on fitting
Group B 13.50 – 14.15 Hands on fitting
Group B 14.15 – 14.40 Service Centre Tour Group Group C/D 13.50 – 14.40 Technology Lab Tour

Typical seal build up
Installation procedure for “component” seals

13:50-14:40

Typical seal build up
Installation procedure for “component” seals

14:40-14:50

Tea/Coffee

14:50-15:40

Group C 14.50 – 15.15    Service Centre Tour Group
Group C 15.15 – 15.40    Hands on fitting
Group D 14.50 – 15.15    Hands on fitting
Group D 15.15 – 15.40    Service Centre Tour Group Group A/B 14.50 – 15.40 Technology Lab Tour

Test facility tour

15:40-16:40

Seal Failure Analysis (Wet Seals)

Wet Seal failure analysis, why do seals fail? Case studies and observations. What causes most mechanical seal failures on a plant? How failures can be analysed and corrected. Sample case studies.

16:40-17:00

Q & A

We try and answer your questions / problems

17:00-17:15

Self Assessment

Multiple choice test

17:15-17:30

Course Close Out

We welcome your feedback.

17:30

Depart

Thank you, and have a safe journey home.

The following hotel is recommended:

The Tulip Inn Manchester, Old Park Lane, Trafford Centre, Manchester M17 8PG
Tel. 0161 755 3355

£71 per room plus £8.95 for breakfast. There is a licensed bar and restaurant and all rooms have en suite facilities and internet access. Please mention John Crane when booking. The hotel is about five to ten minutes by car to John Crane.