The Development of Special Seals for Multi Phase Pumping

Summary

Multi phase pumping offers great advantages in oil production and a number of pumps are being developed for that purpose.

This has created a requirement for new generations of mechanical seals which must meet the difficult duty requirements and give reliable service for long periods whilst simultaneously being very compact to fit into restricted space envelopes. This Paper describes the design and development of such seals for a positive displacement screw pump.

It further describes initial field experiences and some of the problems encountered, including a most unusual mechanism which had a dramatic effect on seal life but which was eventually traced and corrected.

The Paper concludes that mechanical seals are quite capable of meeting the service requirements and makes a number of operational recommendations for getting the best out of them.