Tag Archives: end face seal

API, API 682, mechanical seal

API 682 “Engineered Seals”

The term “Engineered Seal” is widely misused and misunderstood with respect to API 682.  Let’s see how this came about.

API 682 imposes a wide range of design details for mechanical seals including materials, clearances, and design elements; however, it is not all inclusive of all seals and services. The 4th Edition Taskforce believed that this subset of details was prudent for seals which would be applied within the scope of the standard.   At the same time, the Taskforce recognized that at higher pressures, temperatures, speeds, or sizes the design details of the standard might be inappropriate for the intended application.   Outside of this scope, the seal OEM is permitted, even encouraged, to deviate from the prescribed requirements and to “engineer” a seal with specific characteristics that are appropriate for the specific out-of-scope application. By definition, this special seal will then not fall into the strict definition of a Type A, B or C seal – it is an Engineered Seal.

So, what is the scope of API 682 4th Edition and what is the official definition and description of an “Engineered Seal”?

The Scope of API 682 4th Edition is, or should be, given in Section 1, “Scope”, of the standard.  As written in Section 1, the scope includes pump shaft diameters between 0.75 and 4.3 inches; unfortunately, Section 1 does not address pressure, temperature or speed.

The official definition of an “Engineered Seal” per API 682 4th Edition, Clause 3.1.29 is:

Mechanical seal for applications with service conditions outside the scope of this standard.

NOTE Engineered seals are not required to meet any of the design or testing requirements of this standard. See 4.1.3 and A.1.2.

Why are Engineered Seals not required to meet any of the design or testing requirements of API 682?  Simple: standards cannot impose requirements on things that are outside the scope of the standard.  For example, a standard limited to a scope of, say, 600 psig would not state “for higher pressures, double the thickness of everything”.   Similarly, API 682 cannot state “Even though a seal may not be intended to be in accordance with this standard, it still shall meet the design and testing requirements of this standard”.

Section 4 is about sealing systems.  Clause 4.1.3 defines seal types — A, B and C — and notes that Type A and B are suitable for temperatures up to 350 °F whereas Type C is for temperatures up to 750 °F.  Clause 4.1.3 then states that seals outside the scope of Type A, B and C are termed engineered seals.  Although “Engineered Seal” is sometimes written as “ES”, there actually is no “Type ES” seal.  Seal type is either Type A, Type B or Type C.

It is worthwhile to note that pressure limits are included in the definition of seal category which is given in Clause 4.1.2.  Category 1 is limited to 500 °F and 300 psig whereas Category 2 and 3 are limited to 750 °F and 600 psig.  These limits are usually taken as part of the scope of API 682 but were not included in Section 1.

Annex A is an informative annex entitled “Recommended Seal Selection Procedure”.  However, since Annex A is informative, it cannot not impose any requirements.  Clause A.1.2 is entitled “Additional Engineering Required” and is a list of eleven concerns which might provide reason for a more detailed engineering review of the seal.  The list includes size, speed, temperature, pressures and seal chambers that are outside the scope of API 682 4th Edition.  Again, this list is informative, not normative.

To my way of thinking, an Engineered Seal is simply an “other” with respect to API 682 and shows attention to detail for a particular service that is not otherwise included in the scope of API 682. As a practical matter, API 682 Engineered Seals typically have some basis in API 682 — certainly that is the expectation of the Purchaser.  But again, as noted previously, API 682 cannot impose requirements on these out-of-scope designs.

An otherwise true API 682 seal is still an API 682 seal even if the seal chamber does not precisely conform to the API 682/610 dimensions.  Here is an example:  Suppose a seal OEM has designed a product that (somehow!) fulfills every requirement of API 682 when fitted into the proper seal chamber.  However, someone wishes to use this API 682 seal in a pump having a smaller seal chamber.  The API 682 seal fits into the chamber but its clearances no longer meet API 682 requirements.  The seal OEM could

  • Offer its standard API 682 design but take exception to API clearances
  • Offer a custom version of its standard API 682 design that meets API clearances in this particular pump but
    • Has a reduced pressure rating
    • Does not have multi-point injection
    • , etc.

The “custom” seal would be an API 682 “Engineered Seal”.  It is (most likely) a one-off design that has never been tested.  In a similar manner, an existing API 682 seal might be tweaked (materials, balance ratio, flush design, etc.) for somewhat higher pressures or temperatures as a one off “Engineered Seal” but never tested – it would be an Engineered Seal.

I hope that the 5th Edition of API 682 does a better and more concise job of defining the scope of API 682 as well as an “Engineered Seal”.  I believe that the “scope” of 5th Edition is likely to be clarified as well as expanded and therefore the need for “Engineered” seals will be reduced.  I’m on the taskforce and will be trying to do my part to make this happen.

end face mechanical seal, mechanical seal, Photography, Uncategorized, Wikipedia

Wikipedia Gripes

We interrupt the series on cell phone documentation to gripe about Wikipedia …

Previously, I posted about editing the end face mechanical seals article on Wikipedia.   Those edits are still holding as written.  However, the editors at Wikipedia did not like my link back to this site so it has been removed.  They said that SealFAQs was a self published blog and therefore a conflict of interest.  They also removed links to SealFAQs that I’d placed in a few other articles.  Surprisingly, they allowed a link to a commercial seal distributor!

Not my day at Wikipedia.  Unrelated to mechanical seals, I had created an article about my great, great, great grandfather, William Calmes Buck who was a noted Baptist preacher in the 1800s.  My submission was declined on the basis that, as a relative, I had a conflict of interest.    They also did not like that I used his memoirs as a major reference.  The article is still on Wikipedia but as a draft.  I’ve appealed and am modifying the references as requested but expect it will not be acceptable.

Oh well.

… and now we return to cell phone photography.

 

 

mechanical seal, Photography, pusher seal

Accessories for Cell Phone Cameras

iPhone 7+ and LED light on Joby Gorillapods
iPhone 7+ and LED light on Joby Gorillapods

We photographers certainly love our accessories!  Here are some suggestions for accessories to help get the image you want with your cell phone.

Tripod

Although many people prefer not having to deal with a tripod, it is still one of the first and best accessories for photography.   In this discussion, since the subject is cell phone photography, it is implied that the tripod be small and lightweight.  Also needed is a means of attaching the cell phone to the tripod.

One of the Joby Gorillapods seems ideal for cell phone photography.  I’m currently using this one with my iPhone 7+.  To use the cell phone with a more conventional tripod, you’ll need a cell phone mount .

When using the cell phone mounted on a tripod, I prefer to use a 2 second delay to trip the shutter.  This helps to prevent camera/tripod vibration from my touch.  For my iPhone, setting the shutter delay also automatically switches the camera to a 10 shot burst mode – which is not always desirable.  Unfortunately, there is no way to turn off this burst mode; however, a workaround is to turn on the “HDR” mode as well.  With HDR mode, only two shots are taken:  one shot is normal, the other HDR.  Actually, the HDR image is often a good one.

Diffuser and Reflector

A diffuser can soften the light and prevent hot spots when the subject is in bright sunlight.   You can make one with a translucent trash bag taped to a cardboard frame.

A reflector placed on the opposite side of the light source helps distribute the light and reduce shadows.  The reflector can be a piece of copy paper (or bring along a large sheet of foamboard).

Diffusers and reflectors can be difficult to handle – another reason to free up your hands by placing the camera on a tripod.

Backdrop

A backdrop can hide that unwanted background clutter but can be difficult to set up.  A painter’s drop cloth and a few spring clamps can be useful.  For small subjects, the backdrop and reflector can be a sheet of paper.

Lights

A small, inexpensive, battery powered LED light is probably the best way to add light to the scene.    I use one like this with a rechargeable battery (separate purchase); similar ones can be purchased for about $30. With the camera on a tripod, move the light around to find the best angle and distance to light the scene.  Unfortunately, a battery lasts only about an hour.  Add a reflector on the opposite side of the light to balance the lighting.

The original Joby Gorillapod is useful for holding the LED light.

Macro lens

There are a number of macro lenses available for cell phone close-up photography.  Some of these lenses are very powerful; however, getting good lighting can be a problem.  When using a macro lens on a cell phone, the lens will probably be only about an inch from the subject area.  As far as I’m concerned, if you buy a macro lens, you might as well buy a light or two while you’re at it.

Here are some macro lenses that are popular and appear useful:

I recently got the Olloclip kit of macro lenses and am trying to decide whether I like them or not.  I’ll probably get one or two of the less expensive lenses and compare them in a separate blog post.

Coming up

The next post will be about cell phone camera apps.

bellows seal, mechanical seal

Using Your Cell Phone Camera

A cartridge seal.

Your cell phone can be useful when documenting equipment failures, repairs, etc.  In fact, most readers have probably already used their cell phones to do so.  With the cell phone, you can dictate notes, record video or take still photographs.  This post is about improving those still photographs.

The advantages of using your cell phone camera to record damaged part information are

  • Always with you
  • More than adequate quality
  • Easy to use
  • Easy to send images to others.

I’m currently using an iPhone 7+ and really appreciate the quality and new features of its camera.  I especially like the telephoto (2x) lens.  Learn to use the features of your cell phone camera.   Here are some tips for getting good images from a cell phone camera without using additional auxiliary equipment:

  • Set focus point yourself, don’t rely on the camera autofocus
  • Zoom in (use 2x dual lens if available)
  • White Balance (color balance for the light source)
  • Adjust exposure manually, don’t rely on camera to set exposure
  • 2 second delay will help to avoid camera movement.

For more detailed information, especially with the iPhone, check out https://iphonephotographyschool.com/iphone-camera-controls/.

Remember that pictures you take will be used to tell the story of the failure or repair.  Be sure to establish the scene with the “big picture”.  Include some shots of components or areas before going too far with extreme close-ups or macros.  For example, in the report, you’ll want to be able to write things like:

  • Here’s the complete cartridge seal when first removed from the pump (the big picture)
  • Here’s the retainer (a component)
  • Notice the fretting inside the retainer (close-up of damage).

Clean up the background.

Remember the saying “90% of photography is moving furniture!” and apply this thought to removing the junk and clutter from the background of your photo.  Use cardboard, shop rags or copy paper for a background or to hide the clutter.

Fill the Frame

Move the camera in close and/or use the dual lens so that the screen is filled with the subject image.  This will save editing/cropping time and also produce a better image.  By filling the frame, you also allow for extracting a “macro” during editing.

Macros

Although macro lenses are available for cell phone cameras, those will be discussed in the next blog.  Most of the necessary documentation photos will not be macros or even close-ups but the camera can be moved very close to the subject to record details.   In post processing (editing) you can crop and zoom in for a “macro” image of details.

Don’t use the flash

The cell phone flash will produce hot spots on the image; turn the flash off and try to find good lighting.   Indirect light near a door or window can be very helpful.  If possible, move the parts outdoors on a cloudy day.

Select the best images

Get many pictures from different angles and distances, then select and use only the best ones.

Coming up

So far, the discussion has not included auxiliary equipment such as tripods, lenses and lighting.  Auxiliary equipment will be discussed in the next blog.

 

 

API, API 682, end face mechanical seal, mechanical seal, Wikipedia

Wikipedia: API Standard 682

Although Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, has a page for the American Petroleum Institute (API), it does not have a page for the seal standard API 682.  I’ve created a new page “API Standard 682” and written an encyclopedic type description.  Because this is a new page, it must be approved and I was told that approval might take several months because of the large backlog of new pages (2415 pending submissions!) waiting for approval.  In the meantime, the draft page can be accessed by searching for “Draft: API Standard 682” or by going directly to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft:API_Standard_682.  The draft article can even be edited if you wish to revise or add to it.

The draft article on API 682 does not contain nearly enough detail to replace the complete standard and is not intended to do so. Instead, the draft article builds up to the content of 4th Edition by providing the background and development of previous editions.  The draft article includes the Table of Contents for 4th edition and a brief descriptions of piping plans.

Whereas the terms “tandem” and “double” were used in the more general “End Face Mechanical Seals” article, I used the terms “Arrangement 2” and “Arrangement 3” in the API 682 article.

At this point in time, the Wikipedia draft page on API Standard 682 is in sync with SealFAQs but you can be sure that will change in the future.

API 682, end face mechanical seal, Wikipedia

Wikipedia: End Face Mechanical Seals

Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, has a page about mechanical seals:  “End Face Mechanical Seals”.  The “End Face” term is to distinguish the “mechanical seals” that are featured in SealFAQs from the many other types of seals and mechanical seals that are also on Wikipedia.

The Wikipedia page on end face mechanical seals is a pretty good one – I know because I wrote much of it. In fact, some years ago, I edited the page and convinced other editors to use the term “end face mechanical seals”.  Of course, Wikipedia is a collaborative effort and anyone can edit Wikipedia articles so much of my previous revisions had disappeared – just as my current revisions will also disappear over time.

This time around, my edits were largely to make the Wikipedia article consistent with API 682. Therefore, I insisted that an end face mechanical seal is comprised of five components:

  • Seal ring
  • Mating ring
  • Secondary sealing elements
  • Springs
  • Hardware

whereas the previous article had listed only four components by virtue of grouping the seal ring and mating ring into “primary sealing surfaces”. This combining has happened in the past and will probably happen again.  Obviously someone believes strongly in grouping the seal ring and mating ring.

I also added a very brief overview of seal piping plans, expanded the section on origins and development of mechanical seals and provided a list of references – including a link to SealFAQs.

At this point in time, the Wikipedia page on End Face Mechanical Seals is in sync with SealFAQs but you can be sure that will change in the future.