HOW TO DETERMINE THE PRESSURE ACTING ON THE

SEAL CAVITY FOR CENTRIFUGAL PUMS AND MIXERS

There are times when you need to determine seal cavity pressure to calculate
seal generated heat, to determine seal flush rate or to make seal design analysis.
In some cases, the OEM or End User will not know the pressure acting on the
seal cavity. If pressure acting on the seal cavity is not given, then you may need
to make an intelligent estimation to determine what pressure acting on the seal
cavity.

Seal cavity pressure will be determine by the impeller design and/or pump
design. A simple way to determine pressure acting on the seal is as follows.

Nomenclature:

PS = Suction Pressure
PD = Discharge Pressure
PB = Pressure acting in the seal cavity (Bore Pressure)
PV = Vessel Pressure
TDH = Total Developed Head

1. Balance Holes in the Impeller

Balance Holes were used to reduce the axial thrust load on the shaft to improve
thrust bearing life. The Balance Holes also reduce the pressure acting on the
seal chamber. Depending on the size and quantity of balance in the impeller,
pressure acting on the seal cavity can vary from Suction Pressure to Suction
Pressure plus 10% TDH. To be Safe, use the equation 1 to calculate the
pressure acting on the seal cavity unless otherwise specified by OEM. This pump
design utilizes API 11 % 21 Piping Plans.

Equation 1 PB = PS + .1(PD − PS )

Impeller with balance holes are normally set with a given clearance between the
front of the impeller and pump volute to reduce suction re-circulation.

Example: A single stage suction pump with balance holes has a suction pressure
of 5 psig and discharge pressure of 95 psig. What is the seal chamber pressure?

PB = 5 + .1(95 − 5)
PB = 14 psig
 2. Back Vanes in the Impeller.

Some OEM’s utilize back vanes on the impellers to reduce the pressure acting
on the seal cavity. This arrangement will produce a slightly higher pressure than
balance holes in the impeller.

Equation 2 PB = PS + .25(PD − PS )

Impeller with back vanes are normally set with a given clearance between the
back of the impeller and the back plate at a predetermined clearance by the
pump manufacturer.

Example: A single stage suction pump with back vanes on the impellers has a
suction pressure of 10 psig and a discharge pressure of 125 pisg. What is the
seal chamber pressure?

PB = 10 + .25(125 − 10)
PB = 38.8 psig

3. Closed Impeller with Wear Rings & Balance Holes.

This design of impeller is normally found on API Pumps or those pumps that are
designed for heavy service. Depending upon the OEM, the pressure acting on
the seal cavity may vary from Suction Pressure to Suction Pressure plus 25%
TDH (Total Developed Head). To be safe, use the equation 3 to calculate the
pressure acting on the seal cavity unless otherwise specified by the OEM.

Equation 3 PB = PS + PD − PS

3a. Closed Impeller with Wear Rings & No Balance Holes.

This design of impeller is normal found on an API Pumps or those pumps that
are designed for heavy service. Depending upon the OEM, the balance holes are
omitted in an effort to increase the pump efficiency. The seal cavity is very close
to discharge pressure. To be safe, use equation 3a to calculate the pressure
acting on the seal cavity unless otherwise specified by OEM.

Equation 3a PB = PD

Example: A single stage API Pump with closed impeller, wear rings & no balance
holes has a suction pressure of 25 psig and a discharge pressure of 175 psig.
What is the seal chamber pressure?.

PB = 175 psig
 4. Vertical Turbine Pump.

On a Vertical Turbine Pump, the seal cavity seats in the discharge of pump. Most
vertical pump manufacturer’s place a long close clearance bushing in the bottom
of the seal cavity in an attempt to lower the seal cavity pressure to Suction
Pressure plus 25% TDH (total Developed Head). However, due to bushing wear
or bushing design with spiral grooves, the seal cavity pressure can be the same
a Discharge Pressure as the orifice in the API 13 piping Plan is taking total
pressure drop. To be safe, use equation 4 to calculate the pressure acting on the
seal cavity unless otherwise specified bye the OEM.

Equation 4 PB = PD

5. Double Suction Pump.

Based on the design of this pump, both seal cavities are subjected to Suction
Pressure. Use equation 5 to calculate the pressure acting on the seal cavity.

Equation 5 PB = Ps

Example: A single double suction has a suction pressure of 10 psig and a

discharge pressure of 145 psig. What is the seal chamber pressure?

PB = 10 psig

6. Two Stage Pump.

On this pump design, one seal cavity is subjected to Suction Pressure as shown
in equation 6. While the other seal cavity is subjected to Suction Pressure plus
50% TDH shown in equation 6a.

Equation 6 PB = PS

Equation 6a PB = PS + .5(PD − PS )

7. Multi-Stage Horizontal Pump with Balance Line.

This pump design has two seal cavities. One seal cavity is subjected to Suction
Pressure as shown in equation 7 while the other seal cavity is subjected to
Suction Pressure plus 25 psi (equation 7a).
Normally this pump design utilizes a combination of pressure breakdown bushing
and a balance line to reduce the pressure acting on the seal cavity on the high
pressure end of the pump to Suction Pressure plus 25 psi as shown in equation
7a.

Equation 7 PB = PS

Equation 7a PB = PS + 25 psi

8. Slurry Pumps.

Slurry pumps have a wide variety of impeller designs (Closed with & without back
vanes or open with back vanes). Depending on the type of service, customers
will experience high wear rates on impeller and the pump volutes, so it is very
difficult to regulate and determine the pressure acting on the seal cavity. To be
safe, use equation 8 to calculate the pressure acting on the seal cavity.

Equation 8 PB = PD

9. Mixers, Agitators & Autoclave.

For single seals, the pressure acting on the seal cavity is vessel pressure (Pv).
However, vessel pressure can be either operating pressure or design pressure.
When design pressure is given, the seal can be subjected to it. For safety, either
a rupture disk or relief valve is placed on the vessel to insure the vessel pressure
will not disk or relief valve is placed on the vessel to insure the vessel pressure
will not exceed the design pressure. Use equation 9 when estimating seal cavity
pressure.

Equation 9 PB = PV

For double seal arrangement, the Barrier Fluid Pressure should be 25 psi or
vessel pressure plus 10% when vessel pressure exceeds 250 psi.

Equation 9a PB = PV + 25 psi
or
PB = PV + 10% PV

Table 1

This table summarizes the more popular model made by the various OEM’s.
OEM MODEL EQUATION
IN, INI 1
SJ, SC7, DSJ, GSJ, SJH, DSJH, GSJH 1
TXR 1
BW/IP DVS, DVDSR 5
DVMX, SDMX, RBMX, DVSS, DVDS 7 & 7a
HDB, HSB 7 & 7a
VLT, VHT, VMT 4
Chemineer All Model 9 & 9a
MK2 & 3 (Seal Sentir) 1
MK2 & 3 (FRP) 1
MK2 & 3 (Recessed Impeller) 2
Duriron MK2 & 3 (Self Priming) 1
MK2 & 3 (inline) 1
MK2 & 3 (HSI) 1
MK2 & 3 (L-Line) PB = PS+.5(PD – PS)
3196, 3198, 3796, 3996 2
3175 2
3180, 3185 3
3181, 3186 1
3310 7 & 7a
3333, 3335, 3965 PB = PS
3410, 3415, 3420 5
3500 1
3600 7 & 7a
3700 3 & 3a
3900 3
Goulds
3620 5
7200 7 & 7a
VIC, VIT 4
JC 8
5000 & RX PB = PS
CKX 8
5500 & HP 8
5800 8
HS PB = PS+25(PD – PS)
6100 PB = PS+25(PD – PS)
EC, NC, MF 8
Fybroc 1500 Series 1
Lightnin All Models 9 & 9a
LaBour LVA 1
OEM MODEL EQUATION
D-Line 1
LR, LRS, LRV, S 5
LNNC, LNN, LN, LNH, SL, SSDS 5
CPX, DP-900, HOC2, GRP, VOC 2
FRBH, LP/LPO 3a
HPX, A, AM, AT 3
SVCN-7, HNN, HNNT 3
IDP HW, W, WH, WM, WB, HL, SPCN 3
J, JD, JS, JDS, JH, JDH, HDS 5
LC, LC-B, LC-V, LC-Y 8
LC-S, M, PL-C, R 8
LLR, GTB, GT, UZDL, HED, CGT, WTB 6
DA, DAD, DAH, UXH 7 & 7a
VTP, APW, APS, APMA 4
APM, APH, APHH, APHJ 4
A-Line 3
S, J Line SL 5
Ingersoll-Rand
HOC, VOC 1
DA, DAD 7 & 7a
SVCN, SPCN 3
Pacific HVC 5
ROV 6 & 6a
Pfaudler All Models 9 & 9a
Philly Mixer All Models 9 & 9a
CAP, CVA, JCVA 3
CD, CDA, HSB, HAS 5
Sulzer-Bingham MSE, MSD 7 & 7a
CP, CPA 7 & 7a
VCR, JVCR 4
D1010, D1160, D1130, DP900 CNG 3
HQ, HN, HNI 3
Worthington HD, HDS, LR, LLR, LN 5
FRBH 3a
UNB, UNQ 6 & 6ª
H 3
HOL 5
Union M 7 & 7a
UNICHEM 2
VLK 3
ESN, ESW, VIL, VILS 3
Wilson-Snyder DV 5
IVT 7 & 7a