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What are the sealing types used in chemical process pumps?

  What are the sealing types used in chemical process pumps?

Chemical process media are often corrosive, toxic, flammable, and explosive; the sealing system directly determines whether the pump leaks and whether it operates safely. Common types of seals are broadly categorized into mechanical seals, gland packing seals, magnetic‑drive seals, and dry‑gas seals.

  Mechanical seal (most commonly used)

  It relies on the tight contact between the rotating and stationary rings to form a sealing surface, offering excellent sealing performance, minimal leakage, and a compact design. It is available in single‑face and double‑face mechanical seals; the double‑face configuration provides superior sealing and is well suited for highly corrosive, toxic, flammable, or explosive media, making it the preferred choice for chemical process pumps.

  Packing seal

  The shaft is wrapped with soft packing materials such as graphite or PTFE, and the packing is tightened to achieve a seal. This design is simple, cost-effective, and easy to maintain. However, it tends to have relatively high leakage rates, requiring periodic re‑tightening of the packing. It is commonly used for mildly corrosive media and in non‑high‑risk service conditions, but is now less frequently employed in high‑end chemical processing applications.

  Magnetic sealing (leak-free sealing)

 

[For more information on process‑chemical pump models, specifications, selection criteria, and pricing proposals, please click the image above.]

  It employs magnetic coupling transmission, with the pump shaft completely enclosed and no shaft‑seal leakage, ensuring exceptionally high safety. It is well suited for highly toxic, strongly corrosive, flammable and explosive, or valuable media; however, it cannot handle fluids containing large solid particles and has a relatively higher cost.

  Dry gas seal

  Sealing is achieved by forming an air film on the sealing surfaces using high-pressure gas, resulting in virtually zero leakage and excellent resistance to high temperature, high pressure, and high-speed operating conditions. This type of seal is commonly used in large-scale petrochemical and high‑temperature, high‑pressure chemical process pumps, but it entails stringent technical requirements and high manufacturing costs.

  In summary: For standard operating conditions, packed gland seals are recommended; for most chemical‑process applications, single‑ or double‑ended mechanical seals are used; for highly hazardous and toxic media, magnetic seals are preferred; and for large‑scale, high‑temperature, high‑pressure equipment, dry gas seals are employed.

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