Double Cartridge Seal RPW-516 – Durable Industrial Mechanical Seal
Double Cartridge Seal RPW-516 – Durable Industrial Mechanical Seal
Overview
HydroMax Seal RPW-516 | Flow Induced Double Cartridge Rotary Seal with Quench & Flush Ports
The RPW-516 is a multi-spring, hydraulically balanced, flow-induced double cartridge seal equipped with barrier fluid quench and drain ports, and O-ring secondary seals.
This Rotary Pusher Wet (RPW) Double Cartridge Seal features shrink-fitted seal faces and is designed for use with parallel rotating equipment shafts. The flow-induced design promotes enhanced circulation of barrier fluid, improving heat dissipation and seal longevity.
The cartridge is set screw driven and includes quench, drain, and flush port connections for compatibility with seal support systems. The seal is factory assembled and tested, ensuring reliable installation and performance.
Product Description
Design Features
- Large 3/8″ NPT port connections
- Cartridge seal design for easy installation with pre-set seal faces—eliminates risk of incorrect face load setting
- Supplied with Quench, Drain, and Flush connections as standard
- Available with a wide range of seal face materials to suit various applications
- Flow-induced design enhances barrier fluid circulation beyond conventional thermosiphon flow
Technical Specifications
| Seal Shaft Sizes | 20mm – 150mm (1.000″ – 6.000″) |
| Inboard Seal Face Combinations | Car/TC Car/SiC TC/TC TC/SiC SiC/SiC |
| Outboard Seal Face Combinations | Car/TC Car/SiC |
| Gasket | GFT |
| Elastomers | Viton ERP Aflas Kalrez |
| Shaft Speeds | Up to 20 m/s |
| Pressures | Up to 290.1 psig (process fluid) 16 barg (232 psig) barrier fluid – Shaft Size Specific |
| Pipework & Fittings | Plan 52 and Plan 53 |
| Temperatures | Up to 356°F |
WARNING:
The safe seal performance characteristics are typical values for each variable in isolation. The individual upper limit values of speed, pressure, and temperature should NOT be used in combination.
Typical Applications & Industry Use Cases
The RPW-516 Double Cartridge Seal is a hydraulically balanced, multi-spring double-cartridge mechanical seal designed for demanding parallel-shaft rotating equipment. It features an integrated flow-induced barrier fluid circulation path, along with quench, drain, and flush ports, to support stabilised face lubrication and heat removal. This combination makes the RPW-516 particularly suitable for services requiring controlled support-fluid flow and robust containment.
Industries Served
Chemical and petrochemical process plants
Refining, hydrocarbons, and solvent transfer systems
Power generation and utility fluid services
Water and wastewater treatment facilities
General industrial pumping applications
Equipment & Use-Case Scenarios
- Parallel-shaft pumps requiring dual-seal arrangements and external barrier or buffer fluid support
- Processes with fluctuating pressure and temperature, where stable face loading improves performance
- Installations benefiting from internal flow induction to assist barrier fluid circulation at higher speeds
- Systems where controlled quench/fluid circulation enhances seal life and reduces heat build-up
Why It Fits These Applications
- Balanced, multi-spring construction ensures uniform sealing face pressure even under variable operating conditions.
- Flow-induced barrier fluid circulation enhances cooling and lubrication of seal faces, supporting stable operation under higher thermal loads.
- Quench, flush, and drain provisions give flexibility in external support-fluid configurations and help maintain face cleanliness.
- Double-seal design improves process containment and reduces environmental emissions in critical services.
- Cartridge assembly simplifies installation and reduces potential for setup errors or misalignment compared to component seals.
Installation Guidelines
Surface Preparation
Begin by cleaning and inspecting the pump shaft, seal chamber bore, and gland face. Remove corrosion, scoring, debris, or surface defects to ensure proper sealing and alignment.
Cartridge Insertion
Carefully insert the RPW-516 double cartridge into the seal chamber. Confirm the correct orientation of the barrier fluid, quench, drain, and flush ports in accordance with your external support-fluid piping plan.
Connect Support Lines
Attach barrier, flush, and quench lines as appropriate. Prime and vent all support loops to remove trapped air before initial operation.
Controlled Startup
Start barrier fluid circulation first and verify stable flow and pressure. Then run the equipment under monitored conditions, observing barrier fluid parameters, seal-face temperature, and vibration before proceeding to full duty.
Maintenance & Inspection Best Practices
- Monitor Support Fluid: Regularly check the flow rate, pressure, and temperature in the barrier, quench, and flush circuits. Deviations can indicate blockage, degradation of fluid quality, or early seal wear.
- Scheduled Inspections: During planned shutdowns, inspect the cartridge for wear or damage; check the seal faces, springs, O-rings/gaskets, and gland hardware for signs of abrasion, corrosion, or debris buildup.
- Operational Logging: Track operating conditions including fluid properties, shaft speed, pressure, and temperature excursions. Use trend data to estimate seal life and refine preventive maintenance timing.
- Replace Consumables Proactively: Refresh secondary seals (O-rings, gaskets) and barrier fluid filters on a preventive schedule rather than waiting for visible failure to help maintain reliable operation.
- Adapt to Changing Service: If process conditions shift (higher speeds, temperatures, or more aggressive fluids), re-evaluate face materials, elastomer compatibility, and support-fluid plans to ensure continued reliability.
Service & Support Options
- Application Review: Confirm material and support-fluid plan selections based on fluid chemistry, temperature, and pressure to optimise seal performance.
- Spare Parts Availability: Keep replacement seal faces, elastomer kits, springs, and cartridge hardware in stock to reduce maintenance downtime.
- Installation Assistance: Technical support for alignment, port orientation, and monitored commissioning can help ensure correct first-installation performance.
- Preventive Maintenance Planning: Establish inspection intervals based on operational history to extend mean time between maintenance actions and reduce unplanned shutdowns.
- Upgrade Guidance: If future service demands become more severe, explore alternate face materials or enhanced seal designs tailored to the new conditions.
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Contact HydroMax Seal
Contact HydroMax Seal today for innovative solutions, expert guidance, and over a century of engineering excellence. Your journey to mechanical sealing excellence starts with HydroMax Seal!
E-Mail: sales@hydromaxseal.com
Address: 18511 Beaumont Hwy Building D
Houston, TX
77049
