Seal FAQs

PLAN 53A

Plan 53A Schematic

Plan 53A Seal Illustration

Plan 53A uses an external reservoir to provide barrier fluid for a pressurized dual seal arrangement.
Reservoir pressure is produced by a gas, usually nitrogen, at a pressure greater than the maximum
process pressure being sealed. During normal operation, circulation is maintained by an internal pump-
ing ring. Reservoirs are usually made of pipe and piping components with an internal coil of tubing to re-
move heat. Unlike the heat exchangers used in Plan 23 systems, cooling water flows through the coils;
the barrier fluid flows over the exterior of the coils.

The reservoir is pressurized from an external source, typically the plant nitrogen system or bottled ni-
trogen. To control pressure, a pressure regulator is installed upstream of the gas supply isolation valve.
To avoid a release of potentially hazardous gas, the regulator is not normally self-relieving.

The circulation rate in a Plan 53A system is not controlled directly; it depends on the performance of the
pumping ring within the closed loop system. The pumping ring, reservoir and piping are selected to pro-
duce the desired operating conditions. Heat soak as well as heat generation must be considered in de-
termining the desired circulation rate.

By definition, Plan 53A is pressurized above the process pressure. The usual guideline is to operate at
least 10% above the process pressure but a minimum of 20 to 50 psi (1.4 to 3.5 bar) above the maximum
process pressure. The most common means of pressurizing a Plan 53A system is with pressurized nitro-
gen. API 682 cautions against using gas pressurization in direct contact with the barrier fluid when the
reservoir pressure is above 150 psig (10 barg). The concern is that gas is absorbed into the barrier fluid
but the API recommendation is overly conservative. However, based on field experience and tests, di-
rect contact gas pressurization can be used up to 300 psig (21 barg) as long as the barrier fluid tempera-
ture is less than 250 F (120°C).

A problem with Plan 53A direct pressurization comes if the system is depressurized, for example when
refilling the reservoir. Gas absorbed into the barrier fluid at high pressure is liberated at reduced pres-
sure. This means that a bubble of gas might collect around the pumping ring. If so, the pumping ring
might not work and the seals will become overheated in the gas bubble. The result will be severe seal
face damage.