Installation Steps for Mechanical Seals in Stainless Steel Reactors

Pre-Installation Inspection

1. Quality Verification of Seal Components
   • Thoroughly inspect dynamic and static seal ring faces for scratches, cracks, or wear marks.
   • Check O-rings for deformations, aging, or damage that could compromise sealing performance.

Surface Preparation

2. Cleaning and Lubrication
   • Use a clean soft cloth to remove foreign particles from dynamic/static ring surfaces and O-ring grooves.
   • Apply a thin layer of compatible lubricant to the seal faces, following the medium-specific requirements of the reactor.

Alignment and Calibration

3. Level and Verticality Checks
   • Use a spirit level to ensure the mechanical seal ring is horizontal.
   • Employ a dial indicator to verify the verticality of the agitator shaft's sealing section, adjusting to meet specified tolerances.

Installation Process

4. Mounting the Seal Base and Fixed Ring
   • Secure the mechanical seal base to the reactor flange, ensuring proper alignment.
   • Install the fixed ring on the agitator shaft, tightening the inner hexagon screws uniformly.
   • Adjust the compression springs to ensure even force distribution, guaranteeing a tight contact between dynamic and static ring faces.
5. Balanced Tank and Pipeline Setup (If Applicable)
   • Mount the balanced tank on the frame as required.
   • Connect pipelines between the seal fluid inlet/outlet and mechanical seal.
   • Install pipelines between the ammonia cylinder, pressure regulator, and balanced tank.
   • After verifying static pressure, connect the water jacket and cooling lines for system commissioning.

Cooling System Configuration

6. Temperature-Driven Cooling Solutions
   • For Media Temperature ≤ 80°C:
     • Fill the cooling tank with a compatible oil that:
       ▪ Does not contaminate reactor materials
       ▪ Has high specific heat capacity
       ▪ Maintains low impurity levels and excellent lubricity
   • For Media Temperature > 80°C:
     • Activate the bottom water jacket and cooling tank for circulating water cooling, ensuring a stable temperature gradient.

Post-Installation Commissioning

7. Leakage Test and Run-In
   • Perform a low-pressure leak test on the seal system before full operation.
   • Run the reactor at low speed initially, monitoring for abnormal vibrations or heat generation.
   • Gradually increase to operating parameters, checking seal face temperature and fluid leakage regularly.

Maintenance Tips

• Regular Inspections:
  ▪ Check O-ring wear every 6 months
  ▪ Monitor seal face flatness annually using a lapping plate
• Cleaning Protocol:
  ▪ Disassemble and clean seals with neutral detergents after processing corrosive media
• Lubricant Replacement:
  ▪ Refresh cooling oil every 12 months or as dictated by media contamination

Conclusion