START-UP AND
OPERATION OF
MECHANICALLY SEALED
EQUIPMENT
START UP & OPERATION
SEALS ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE
DURING THIS TIME, SO IT IS IMPORTANT
TO GIVE ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING
INFORMATION
SINGLE INSIDE SEAL
Start-Up Procedures
• Gradually Heat up or Chill Down if
Applicable
• Heating / Cooling on
• Steam / Gas Purge on
• Verify that Environmental Control
Piping is Properly Connected
SINGLE INSIDE SEAL
Start-Up Procedures
Suction Valve Open
Discharge Valve Closed to One-Quarter
open
Start Pump and Gradually Open
Discharge Valve to Proper Flow
SINGLE INSIDE SEAL
Operating Procedures
• After Start-Up, Check for: Leakage, Squealing,
Vibration or Cavitation
• Never Adjust Flow with the Suction Valve. It
must ALWAYS BE WIDE OPEN
• If the Pump is Running Dry, the Seal is Not
Being Lubricated. Severe damage to the seal
and/or pump may occur. Turn the Pump Off
Immediately
DUAL PRESSURIZED
SEAL
Start-Up Procedures
• Gradually Heat up or Chill Down if Applicable
• Heating / Cooling on
• Steam / Gas Purge on
• Verify that Environmental Control Piping is
Properly Connected
DUAL PRESSURIZED
SEAL
Start-Up Procedures
• Ensure Adequate Liquid Level in Buffer Supply
Tank or
• Ensure that Barrier System is Operational
• Double Check Barrier Piping to the Seal Inlet &
Outlet to Ensure that They are Correct for Pump
Rotation
DUAL PRESSURIZED
SEAL
Start-Up Procedures
Apply and Check for Adequate Barrier
System flow through the Seal
Ensure that Barrier Pressure is 20 to 25
psi. Greater than Anticipated Stuffing
Box Pressure (Suction + %(Differential))
DUAL PRESSURIZED
SEAL
Start-Up Procedures
Suction Valve Open
Discharge Valve Closed to One-Quarter Open
Start Pump
Gradually Open Discharge Valve to Full Open
DUAL PRESSURIZED
SEAL
Operating Procedures
• After Start-Up, Check for: Leakage, Squealing,
Vibration or Cavitation
• Never Adjust Flow with the Suction Valve. It
must ALWAYS BE WIDE OPEN
• If the Pump is Running Dry, damage may
occur to the pump. Turn the Pump Off
DUAL PRESSURIZED
SEAL
Operating Procedures
• Never Remove Barrier Supply from the Seal
While the Pump has Process Liquid Applied
• If Seal Begins to Leak Barrier Fluid to
Atmosphere, Plan Maintenance as Soon as
Possible. Delaying Removal may Damage the
Seal Beyond Economical Repairability
Reminders
The Pumped Liquid Lubricates Single and Non-
Pressurized Inner Seals only! Dry running destroys
them !
Suction Valve Always Wide Open Before Pump Start-
Up
Heat or Cool Gradually
Never Throttle a Pump with the Suction Valve
Start a Centrifugal Pump with the Discharge Valve 25
Percent Open Where Possible
Always Start a Positive Displacement Pump with the
Suction and Discharge Valves Wide Open
Reminders
Report Cavitation, Vibration, Leakage, Squealing
Do Not Run a Pump at Shut-Off
Barrier Liquids for Pressurized Seals Must Be
Pressurized Before the Pump Valves are Opened
Barrier Fluid Circulation Systems Must Be
Operational and Applied Before the Pump Valves
are Opened
Inlet & Outlet Must be Piped in Accordance with
Specified Rotation of The Pump
Reminders
Use Tubing Where Possible
Do Not Tie Inlet & Outlet Lines Together
Do Not Remove Pressure Source to Add Barrier
Fluid to a Sealing System that is in Operation
Seal & Piping System Must Not Trap Air Anywhere
All Supply Lines Must Slope up to Reservoir / Tank
Flush Out All System Components after a Seal
Failure
THE END
