Classification of Mechanical Seal

Pusher element requirement

1. Pusher Seal – Face closing force applied by Dynamic secondary seal, mostly O ring, and spring
2. Non-pusher (Bellow) – Face closing force by bellow assembly. For high temperature
application or vapor of process fluid tends to solidify and crystalize at atmospheric condition
Pusher element type
1. O ring – Dynamic secondary seal is O ring
2. V ring – Dynamic secondary seal is V ring (Normally PTFE)
3. Wedge – Dynamic secondary seal is wedge (Normally PTFE)
Spring type
1. Single spring – Simple design, clean service, Unidirectional
2. Multi spring – Uniform loading, Most widely used, Bidirectional
3. Wave spring – Compact design, Accommodated in small axial space
Bellow type
1. Metal bellow – Proven for most challenging condition like high temperature and light HC
2. Rubber bellow – Water and other simple application
3. Teflon bellow – Handle highly corrosive application, Mostly externally mounted seal
Balancing pressure
1. Balanced – Seal design to withstand very high pressure
2. Unbalanced – Seal design for normal pressure application
3. Reverse balanced – Capable of handle pressure from atmospheric or non-process side
Arrangement
1. Single – For simple application where containment or back-up arrangement is not required
2. Duel – Tandem – Safety back up and emission control For light HC, hazardous or toxic service
3. Duel – Back to back – Zero emission, Isolate process, light HC, dirty, abrasive, vacuum service
4. Duel – Face to Face - Zero emission, Isolate process, light HC, dirty, abrasive, vacuum service
Assembly
1. Component (Non-cartridge) – Sleeve, compression unit, meting ring and other components
are supplied as loose parts. Seal setting is required.
2. Semi-cartridge – Loose components but seal setting is not required
3. Cartridge – All the seal components are in assembled condition for easy installation

Lubrication media and contact

1. Contacting Liquid seal – Very common design for majority of pumps and other equipment
2. Contacting Dry running – Low rpm application in reactor or as a containment seal in pump
3. Non-contacting Dry gas seal –light HC when product dilution is not allowed, as a Containment
seal, Compressors
Construction type
1. Full – Normal economical design
2. Split – Seal components in split design for quick and easy installation without dismantling the
equipment, disturbing coupling and removing driver
Mounting method
1. Inside – Normal design
2. Outside – Corrosive application, vacuum application
Entry into the equipment
1. Side entry
2. Top entry
3. Bottom entry
Drive type
1. Positive drive – Positively driven rotary unit with the use of set screw or disc or key
2. Friction drive – Rotary is driven through clamping and friction force, no positive drive
mechanism
Compression unit
1. Stationary CU – Proven designed for normal application
2. Rotating CU – Recommended design for high speed and high temperature application

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