1. Seal Support Systems for Rotating Equipment How the new API-682 standard can improve safety, performance, & reliability Presented by: Randy Rieken Global Chemical & Refining Manager Swagelok
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
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2. References For Additional Support
Mechanical Seal Manufacturers / Pump OEMs
Local Swagelok Distributor
API-682 (Redline version recommended)
EPA.gov , EPA.gov/ok (local & federal emission regulations, LDAR best practices, etc.)
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
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3. Cost of Failure
Pumps essential for consistent, safe, & profitable operation
Pump repairs consume ~7% of maintenance budget
Pump failures = slowdowns, shutdowns, & lost revenue
Pump failures can also lead to safety and environmental incidents, and often fires.
Negative impacts can include equipment damage, downtime injuries, and even deaths
The result is negative publicity, more frequent environmental agency audits, and remediation costs and fines.
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
Swagelok confidential. For internal use only

4. What is API-682
API 682 is the leading “best practices” document for mechanical seals in petrochemical, chemical, and pipeline services worldwide.
Common source of information on aspects of seal design, testing, standardization, and applications
As seal technology has advanced, the standard has expanded to incorporate new seal designs, materials, seal selection guidance, and piping plans.
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
Swagelok confidential. For internal use only

5. History of API-682 1st Edition Oct 1994 First complete seal Standard
Default to proven sealing solutions
2nd Edition
July 2002
Applications outside of refining
Applications to non-API 610 pumps
Advancements in sealing technology
Creation of International standard (ISO 21049)
3rd Edition
Sept 2004
3rd Ed API 682 was almost exactly same as 2nd
Aligned API 682 with ISO 21049
Most changes were editorial
4th Edition
May 2014
Revision and improvement of the standard
Consideration of sealing technology advances
Exchange of experience (seal failures)
Eliminate unclear wording
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
Swagelok confidential. For internal use only

6. Scope of API-682 Fourth Edition
Purpose
Specification of requirements for the selection and operation of shaft sealing systems
In order to…
Provide solutions that cover 80% of applications
Target
Improvement of equipment reliability and safety, reduction of emissions and life-cycle costs
Industries
Petroleum, natural gas, chemical
Typical Pumps
New and retrofitted centrifugal & rotary pumps
Typical Fluids
Water, caustic, some acids, hydrocarbons
Mainly hazardous, flammable and/or toxic
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
Swagelok confidential. For internal use only

7. Parameters of API-682 Fourth Edition
Details
Pressure (G)
0 … 40 bar
Temperature
-40 °C … +400 °C
Shaft size
From 20 … 110 mm
Seals
Pusher and bellows, single and dual seals, wet and gas-lubricated, contacting and non-contacting
Seal qualification
Test procedures and documentation
Supply support systems
Piping plans, instrumentation, accessories
Scope
New equipment, spare parts
and equipment in upgrade projects
Equipment / standards
Centrifugal as well as rotary:
API 610, ISO 3069, ASME B73.1, B73.2 and API 676
Industries
Petroleum, natural gas and chemical
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
Swagelok confidential. For internal use only

8. Seal Hierarchy Today’s Focus (Primarily Sec 8 & 9)
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
Swagelok confidential. For internal use only

9. What is a Seal Support System?
A sealing system consists of a sealing arrangement and external accessories to operate the seal arrangement in according to specified “piping plans”.
The selection of the piping plans depends on the application & end-user needs.
Seal Arrangement
Piping Plans
Process Side
01, 02, 03, 11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 41
Between Seals
52, 53A, 53B, 53C, 54, 55, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76
Atmospheric Side
51, 61, 62, 65A, 65B, 66A, 66B
Engineered 99
New in Fourth Edition
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
Swagelok confidential. For internal use only

10. Why is it Important?
Research has shown that the biggest preventative measure of mechanical seal failure is the use of effective Seal Support Systems¹. This means that no matter how well designed your mechanical seal or bearing systems are, without a reliable Seal Support System there is still the possibility of your mechanical seal failing.
¹Stephen Flood, Performance Plus Ltd - “Mechanical Seal Reliability - What Realistically Can Be Achieved?”
presented at The Mechanical Sealing Technology Seminar, I Mech E, London, April 07
© 2014 Swagelok Company. Swagelok confidential. For internal use only

11. Important Changes in Fourth Edition… Impacting Safety, Reliability, & Performance
Tubing vs. Pipe
Tubing specifications added in Sec 8
Tubing & pipe calculations added in Annex F
General guidelines to reduce pressure loss
New material guideline tables for piping plans
Barrier reservoir connection guidelines added in sec 8 and Annex F
Friction loss calculations for both tubing and pipe added in Annex F
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
Swagelok confidential. For internal use only

12. Important Changes in Fourth Edition… Impacting Safety, Reliability, & Performance
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
Swagelok confidential. For internal use only

13. Important Changes in Fourth Edition… Impacting Safety, Reliability, & Performance
Tubing vs. Pipe
Tubing advantages (ASTM A )
Fewer connections
Vibration tolerant
Less susceptible to leaking
Lower flow losses, drag, & pressure drop
Lower total cost to install, maintain, & retrofit
Can be welded (standard calls for >0.1” wall)
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
Swagelok confidential. For internal use only

14. Important Changes in Fourth Edition… Impacting Safety, Reliability, & Performance
Minimize Pressure Drop (Reference Sec 8.2)
Length and number of fittings should be minimized
All lines should slope up toward the reservoir at ½” per ft. using smooth radius bends & minimize connections
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
Swagelok confidential. For internal use only

15. Important Changes in Fourth Edition… Impacting Safety, Reliability, & Performance
Minimize Pressure Drop (Reference Sec 8.2)
The total length of tubing/piping from the seal and the support system should not exceed 5M (16.4 feet)
Lines connecting the barrier/buffer system to the seal:
½” min for shaft diameters < 60 mm
¾” min for shaft diameters > 60 mm
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
Swagelok confidential. For internal use only

16. Important Changes… Impacting Safety, Reliability, & Performance
Preference to Indicating Transmitters vs. Switches
Switches can still be used if specified (section 9)
Higher costs, but some clear advantages
Local & remote monitoring
Exact measurement vs. high and low
Able to trend data for predictive maintenance
Identify problems before they occur
On-instrument diagnostics
In-line calibration & testing
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
Swagelok confidential. For internal use only

17. Piping Best Practices for Seal Systems
Instrument Isolation & Testing
Gauges shall be equipped with block-bleed valves (reference sec 9.4.2)
Transmitters shall be equipped with a manifold to:
Allow adjusting, and testing
Allow actuating element without interfering with normal equipment operation
Reference sec
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
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18. Piping Best Practices for Seal Systems
Utility Tie-ins & Return (Reference Sec )
Air, gas, water, return lines shall be manifolded to a common header
The manifold size should be of sufficient dimension to handle the maximum flow of components that may require simultaneous use of the specified utility.
Be able to isolate each utility drop
Think about future additions when specifying manifold header
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
Swagelok confidential. For internal use only

19. Piping Best Practices for Seal Systems
General (sec 8.1)
All seal auxiliary systems should have a vent (at highest point) as necessary to remove air / vapor
All seal auxiliary systems should have drains (at lowest point) to safely remove liquids
Drains & vents mounted vertically
Operation, venting, and draining should be accomplished from grade
© 2016 Swagelok Company.
Swagelok confidential. For internal use only

20. Questions? © 2016 Swagelok Company.
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21. © 2014 Swagelok Company. Swagelok confidential. For internal use only