Coal Power Plant Improves Pump Seal Performance

As with all rotating equipment, pump seal wear is a constant factor requiring continual monitoring, maintenance, repair, and replacement to keep pumps operating as specified. In coal-fired power plants, mechanical seals are utilized in pumps throughout many processes.

Mechanical seals consist of a stationary primary element that is fixed within the pump housing and a rotating mating element fixed to the shaft. Precisely machined, these two components are pressed together, meeting at a wear face, while the extreme tolerances between the two elements minimize leakage. The seals rely on a certain amount of leakage to lubricate the moving surfaces. The rotating element is supported on an extremely thin lubricating film, typically 0.25 microns in thickness.

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