Growing attention has focused on the need to increase meantime between failure (MTBF) for pumps used in the chemical process and refinery industries. Increasingly, discussion has centered on mechanical seals and the benefits of optimizing seal chamber design to improve the seal's operating environment and hence, its service life. A test program was recently completed which examined typical heat transfer phenomena within seal chambers of various selected designs. The test results confirmed previous research in this area, identified specific causes of deficient seal performance, and indicated definitive areas of improvement for seal chamber design.
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