This document provides guidelines for starting up and operating mechanically sealed equipment. It describes start up procedures for single inside seals which involve gradually heating or cooling, turning on environmental controls, and starting the pump while gradually opening valves. It also provides procedures for dual pressurized seals which involve ensuring adequate barrier fluid supply and pressure before starting the pump. General operating guidelines include never adjusting flow with suction valves, and addressing any leakage, squealing or vibration immediately. Keys are properly connecting piping, avoiding dry running, and maintaining adequate barrier fluid for pressurized seals.

1. START-UP ANDSTART-UP AND
OPERATION OFOPERATION OF
MECHANICALLYMECHANICALLY
SEALEDSEALED
EQUIPMENTEQUIPMENT
1:131:13

2. START UP & OPERATIONSTART UP & OPERATION
SEALS ARE ESPECIALLYSEALS ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLEVULNERABLE
DURING THIS TIME, SO IT IS IMPORTANTDURING THIS TIME, SO IT IS IMPORTANT
TO GIVE ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWINGTO GIVE ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING
INFORMATION...INFORMATION...

3. SINGLE INSIDE SEALSINGLE INSIDE SEAL
Start-Up ProceduresStart-Up Procedures
• Gradually Heat up or Chill Down ifGradually Heat up or Chill Down if
ApplicableApplicable
• Heating / Cooling onHeating / Cooling on
• Steam / Gas Purge onSteam / Gas Purge on
• Verify that Environmental ControlVerify that Environmental Control
Piping is Properly ConnectedPiping is Properly Connected

4. Start-Up ProceduresStart-Up Procedures
 Suction Valve OpenSuction Valve Open
 Discharge Valve Closed to One-QuarterDischarge Valve Closed to One-Quarter
openopen
 Start Pump and Gradually OpenStart Pump and Gradually Open
Discharge Valve to Proper FlowDischarge Valve to Proper Flow
SINGLE INSIDE SEALSINGLE INSIDE SEAL

5. Operating ProceduresOperating Procedures
• After Start-Up, Check for: Leakage,After Start-Up, Check for: Leakage,
Squealing, Vibration or CavitationSquealing, Vibration or Cavitation
• NeverNever Adjust Flow with the SuctionAdjust Flow with the Suction
Valve. It mustValve. It must ALWAYS BE WIDE OPENALWAYS BE WIDE OPEN
• If the Pump is Running Dry, the Seal isIf the Pump is Running Dry, the Seal is
Not Being Lubricated.Not Being Lubricated. Severe damage toSevere damage to
the seal and/or pump may occur. Turnthe seal and/or pump may occur. Turn
the Pumpthe Pump OffOff ImmediatelyImmediately
SINGLE INSIDE SEALSINGLE INSIDE SEAL

6. DUAL PRESSURIZEDDUAL PRESSURIZED
SEALSEAL
Start-Up ProceduresStart-Up Procedures
• Gradually Heat up or Chill Down ifGradually Heat up or Chill Down if
ApplicableApplicable
• Heating / Cooling onHeating / Cooling on
• Steam / Gas Purge onSteam / Gas Purge on
• Verify that Environmental Control PipingVerify that Environmental Control Piping
is Properly Connectedis Properly Connected

7. DUAL PRESSURIZEDDUAL PRESSURIZED
SEALSEAL
Start-Up ProceduresStart-Up Procedures
• Ensure Adequate Liquid Level in BufferEnsure Adequate Liquid Level in Buffer
Supply TankSupply Tank oror
• Ensure that Barrier System is OperationalEnsure that Barrier System is Operational
• Double Check Barrier Piping to theDouble Check Barrier Piping to the SealSeal
Inlet & Outlet to Ensure that They areInlet & Outlet to Ensure that They are
Correct for Pump RotationCorrect for Pump Rotation

8. DUAL PRESSURIZEDDUAL PRESSURIZED
SEALSEAL
Start-Up ProceduresStart-Up Procedures
 Apply and Check for Adequate BarrierApply and Check for Adequate Barrier
System flow through the SealSystem flow through the Seal
 Ensure that Barrier Pressure is 20 to 25Ensure that Barrier Pressure is 20 to 25
psi. Greater than Anticipated Stuffingpsi. Greater than Anticipated Stuffing
Box Pressure (Suction + %(Differential))Box Pressure (Suction + %(Differential))

9. DUAL PRESSURIZEDDUAL PRESSURIZED
SEALSEAL
Start-Up ProceduresStart-Up Procedures
 Suction Valve OpenSuction Valve Open
 Discharge Valve Closed to One-QuarterDischarge Valve Closed to One-Quarter
OpenOpen
 Start PumpStart Pump
 Gradually Open Discharge Valve to FullGradually Open Discharge Valve to Full
OpenOpen

10. Operating ProceduresOperating Procedures
• After Start-Up, Check for: Leakage,After Start-Up, Check for: Leakage,
Squealing, Vibration or CavitationSquealing, Vibration or Cavitation
• NeverNever Adjust Flow with the SuctionAdjust Flow with the Suction
Valve. It mustValve. It must ALWAYS BE WIDE OPENALWAYS BE WIDE OPEN
• If the Pump is Running Dry, damage mayIf the Pump is Running Dry, damage may
occur to the pump.occur to the pump. Turn the Pump OffTurn the Pump Off
DUAL PRESSURIZEDDUAL PRESSURIZED
SEALSEAL

11. Operating ProceduresOperating Procedures
• NeverNever Remove Barrier Supply from theRemove Barrier Supply from the
Seal While the Pump has Process LiquidSeal While the Pump has Process Liquid
AppliedApplied
• If Seal Begins to Leak Barrier Fluid toIf Seal Begins to Leak Barrier Fluid to
Atmosphere,Atmosphere, Plan Maintenance as SoonPlan Maintenance as Soon
as Possible.as Possible. Delaying Removal mayDelaying Removal may
Damage the Seal Beyond EconomicalDamage the Seal Beyond Economical
RepairabilityRepairability
DUAL PRESSURIZEDDUAL PRESSURIZED
SEALSEAL

12. RemindersReminders
 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

13. RemindersReminders
 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

14. RemindersReminders
 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

15. START-UP ANDSTART-UP AND
OPERATION OFOPERATION OF
MECHANICALLY SEALMECHANICALLY SEAL
EQUIPMENTEQUIPMENT