MAY05PUMPS&SYSp24-33 4/19/05 4:04 PM Page 24

It’s one of
the few
methods you
have to
control the
environment
outside a
mechanical
seal.

By Keith Schindler, PE,

Schindler Engineering, Inc.,
and Paul McMahan,
Flowserve Corporation

API Piping Plan 62:

A Reliable Quench System
For years, users and manufacturers have attempted to increase mechanical seal reliability. Focus often
has been placed on the seal flush arrangement and methods to control the parameters that affect the seal
environment. Engineering improvements have been made in seal design, face material combinations and
configurations to comply with EPA’s low-emissions regulations and the American Petroleum Institute’s (API)
recommendations. However, little attention has been given to the environment outside the mechanical seal
(atmospheric side) and how this environment affects seal reliability. This article discusses one of the few
methods used to control the environment external to the seal. An appendix beginning on page 28 outlines
guidelines for operation, shutdown and troubleshooting of these systems.

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A n external fluid quench
system (API Piping Plan
62) is designed to im-
merse the outside of a mechani-
cal seal assembly and the sec-
ondary seals with a clean non-
hazardous fluid [1, 2]. This fluid
serves multiple purposes.
1) It occludes the atmosphere
from the atmospheric side of
the mechanical seal assembly,
thereby reducing oxidation.
2) Since it is at a slightly higher
pressure than atmospheric, it
provides a low flow through
the area to assist in drainage
or removal of product leakage
across the seal faces.
3) Depending on temperature
and solubility of the pump-
age in the quench fluid, it
helps to prevent solidification
product leakage until such
leakage has exited the close
clearances encountered in the
gland. This build-up of prod-
uct, if not removed, will oth-
erwise accumulate to cause
the seal assembly to hang up.
4) For hydrocarbon products at
or near their auto-ignition
point, the quench fluid cools
the normal leakage from the
seal assembly to a tempera-
ture below the product auto-
ignition temperature.
When considering an exter-
nal fluid quench system, certain
requirements must be incorpo-
rated in the design of the seal for
the quench system to be reliable.
I The mechanical seal gland
must be equipped with inlet
and outlet (drain) quench
connections. The quench
fluid must drain through the
outlet connection, making it
necessary for the outlet con-
nection to be lower than the
inlet connection. This ar-
rangement will help wash
away any product leakage at
the seal faces. The drain con-
nection should be located at
PUMPS & SYSTEMS
the lowest possible point on
the seal gland to prevent a
dead spot where product
leakage can accumulate and
affect seal performance.
I The mechanical seal gland
must be equipped with a
close-clearance throttle bush-
ing or other suitable device.
Since the quench fluid is fed
to the gland under pressure,
the pressure forces the fluid
out of the gland toward the
driver or bearings through the
space between the shaft and
gland ring bore. The close-
clearance bushing di-rects the
quench flow and any product
leakage to the drain instead of
along the shaft, and reduces
the amount of quench fluid
leakage from entering the
bearing housing and contam-
inating the bearing lubrica-
tion. The bushing contains
the quench fluid in the area
of the seal assembly where it
is needed, by directing the
quench fluid to the atmo-
spheric side of the seal assem-
bly and the secondary seals.
The bushing also acts as an
orifice to control the amount
of leakage to the atmosphere
in the event of a catastrophic
seal failure.
Applications
In applications such as hot
hydrocarbons and caustics,
where oxidation, coking or crys-
tal formation (crystallization) is a
problem on the atmospheric side
of the mechanical seal, steam is
typically used as the quench
fluid. The steam is introduced
into the inlet quench connection
where it is directed around the
sealing faces.
The steam quench acts as a
coolant for the mechanical seal in
high temperature applications
(>300° F) [2]. The steam cools
the leakage on the atmospheric
side of the sealing faces, which
reduces coke formation and sub-
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sequent seal hang-up. For hydro-
carbon product streams at or
near their auto-ignition point,
the steam helps cool the normal
leakage from the seal assembly
below its auto-ignition tempera-
ture. It also reduces cooling of
the seal faces and the product in
viscous or high freezing-point-
temperature applications while
the pump is not running.
Damage can occur to the mech-
anical seal at start-up, if the prod-
uct thickens or freezes at the seal
faces.
For a steam quench applica-
tion with enough space in the
pump, the mechanical seal gland
should be equipped with an anti-
coking baffle [2]. (Figure 1). The
anti-coking baffle routes the
steam to the area of the seal
where solids collect, then directs
the steam so that it carries the
material away from the seal and
sealing faces to the outlet (drain)
connection [2].
The steam quench pressure
should be regulated between 1–3
PSIG at the inlet quench connec-
tion to prevent any seal prob-
lems. Higher-than-recommend-
ed steam pressures could affect
the performance of the seal—and
will cause the excess steam to
exhaust out of the seal gland.
Excess steam will cause moisture
to enter the pump bearing hous-
ing if the bearing housing is not
properly protected [3].
When steam is used as a
quench medium for high-tem-
perature applications, it is essen-
tial that the steam quench be
operated in a gaseous state and
liquid water must not be intro-
duced into the gland area. If con-
densed steam is introduced to the
atmospheric side of the seal
assembly, it may result in flashing
of the steam in the seal face area,
with the consequence of unstable
hydraulic forces affecting the
atmospheric side of the seal faces.
Another possible consequence is
damage to secondary graphite
sealing members either through
galvanic corrosion or damage
MAY 2005 25
MAY05PUMPS&SYSp24-33 4/17/05 3:49 PM
Figure 1. Mechanical seal with anti-coking baffle
that occurs when the condensa-
tion trapped in the secondary
sealing member area flashes back
to steam.
Figure 2 shows the recom-
mended piping system to ensure
that “dry” steam is available as a
quench fluid. If the steam supply
line to the equipment is longer
than 25 feet, or is taken from a
high pressure source where there
is more than a 50-PSI drop
Circle 112 on Reader Service Card
26 MAY 2005
Page 26
across the controller, reducing
the initial steam pressure to a
usable level for the quench, addi-
tional measures to prevent con-
densation in the steam quench
system may be needed. Insu-
lation and tracing of the steam
supply system is one option.
Others include using the heat of
the equipment to reheat the
steam quench by wrapping a
short section of tubing around
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the equipment, or routing the
steam quench through a water
jacket on the equipment.
In applications where oxida-
tion or coking is a problem on
the atmospheric side of the
mechanical seal and steam is not
available or can’t be used, nitro-
gen is the second most common
quench fluid used (as shown in
Figure 3). Similar to the steam
quench application, a nitrogen
quench is introduced into the
quench inlet connection of the
seal gland where it is directed
under the sealing faces. The
nitrogen quench purges the oxy-
gen from the atmospheric side of
the seal to reduce oxidation and
the flow of fluid helps remove
any build-up from under the seal
faces to prevent seal hang-up.
The nitrogen quench also acts as
a coolant for the seal in high-
temperature applications by cool-
ing the leakage on the atmo-
spheric side of the sealing faces,
which reduces or prevents coke
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MAY05PUMPS&SYSp24-33 4/17/05 3:46 PM Page 27
formation and subsequent seal
hang-up in hot services (>300°F)
[2]. Since nitrogen is a gas and
the recommended flow rate is
low, there is no visible evidence
at the seal gland that the nitrogen
quench system is in service [3].
The only indication that the sys-
tem is working properly is a flow
reading from a reliable flow
meter.
The nitrogen quench flow
rate should be controlled to
approximately one (1) standard
cubic foot per minute (scfm).
Higher-than-recommended
nitrogen flow rates will not affect
the performance of the seal, but
will substantially increase the
operating cost of the external
quench piping system [3].
Water is a quench fluid used
in sour water, caustic soda and
saltwater brine applications,
where the product crystallizes on
the atmospheric side of the
mechanical seal. The water
quench fluid is introduced into
the inlet quench connection of
the seal gland where it is directed
under the sealing faces (Figure
4). The flow of water washes
away any build-up from under
the sealing faces to prevent seal
hang-up.
The quench pressure should
be limited to prevent any seal
problems. The flush rate should
be controlled so that a slow drip
appears at the back side of the
seal gland. This should be
enough to keep any crystals from
forming under the sealing faces
to prevent seal hang-up.
A water quench typically
becomes a housekeeping prob-
lem. The water drips on the
pump bracket and the pump
baseplate, accelerating corrosion
[3]. In cold climates, the water
freezes and becomes a slipping
hazard. For this reason, it is com-
mon practice to pipe the outlet
of the drain connection on the
seal gland to a suitable drain
location around the equipment
PUMPS & SYSTEMS
pad when there is minimal risk of
plugging or fouling of the addi-
tional drain piping.
Line-Up & Operating
For an external fluid quench
system to be reliable, it must be
operated and maintained proper-
ly. This includes establishing
clear equipment line-up, operat-
ing, preventative maintenance,
shutdown and troubleshooting
tasks for maintenance and oper-
ating personnel. (A detailed
description of each task is listed
in the attached Appendix.)
Remember that the main
isolation valve on an external
fluid quench line should never be
opened after the equipment has
been prepared for service, or
while it is in service. The external
fluid quench system should be
placed in service prior to lining
up the equipment for opera-
tion—and should not be isolated
until the equipment is removed
for maintenance. Opening the
fluid quench line while the
equipment is in service (HOT)
can seriously damage the
mechanical seal—and expose
operating personnel to a serious
safety risk.
Conclusion
An external fluid quench sys-
tem (API Piping Plan-62) can
reliably control the environment
outside a mechanical seal if the
system is installed and operated
properly. Designed to immerse
the seal faces and the secondary
seals with a clean, non-hazardous
fluid, this system will remove any
Circle 119 on Reader Service Card
product leakage and build-up
from the atmospheric side of the
seal to prevent seal hang-up, thus
extending seal life. Depending
on the product or material being
sealed, the quench system can be
tailored to fit the application.
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MAY05PUMPS&SYSp24-33 4/19/05 4:01 PM Page 28

APPENDIX
Equipment Line-Up &
Operating Guidelines
The following steps are rec-
ommended when putting an
external fluid quench system
(API Plan-62) into service. This
line-by-line description can be
used to assist maintenance and
Figure 2. API Piping Plan-62 Steam Quench Piping Layout
operating personnel with their
daily line-up, operating and trou- piping is HOT and all from back of seal gland
bleshooting tasks. condensate is out of the and force condensate to
1. Open main valve isolating the system, close drain valve. enter bearing housing of
external quench system. iii. Note: the pump or driver.
2. Follow the procedure listed I A small amount of b. Nitrogen Quench: (Fig. 3.)
below for different quench condensate may drip i. Note:
mediums. from the seal flange. I Throttle needle valve
a. Steam Quench: (Fig. 2.) This is normal, but most (or adjust pressure
i. Open the drain valve to of it should be removed regulator) until flow
begin heating up the from the quench system meter reads one (1) stan-
steam quench line and by the steam trap. dard cubic foot per
to remove the conden- I Higher steam quench minute (scfm). There
sate from the system. pressure will cause the will be no other visual
ii. Once the steam quench excess steam to exhaust indicators at the seal
Circle 110 on Reader Service Card

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MAY05PUMPS&SYSp24-33 4/19/05 2:32 PM Page 29

WARNING: Never open the main

isolation valve on an external fluid
quench line after the equipment
has been prepared for service or
while it is in service. The external
fluid quench system should be
placed in service prior to lining the
equipment up for operation and
should not be isolated until the
equipment is removed for mainte-
nance. Opening the fluid quench
line while the equipment is in ser-
vice (HOT) can seriously damage
the mechanical seal and places the
F i g u r e 3 . A P I P i p i n g P l a n - 6 2 N i t r o g e n Q u e n c h P i p i n g L ay o u t operating personnel at a serious
safety risk.
gland to show nitro- regulator) on quench
gen is flowing. The pres- line near the primary
sure gauge and flow me- seal gland to create I Proceed with opening
ter are the only indica- all process valves to place
recommended flow. (See
tors to show the system
Table 1.) the pump in service.
is operating properly.
I Nitrogen is expensive.
Excessive nitrogen flow
rates will not damage the
mechanical seal or affect
its performance, but will
increase operating cost
of the system [3].
c. Water Quench: (See Fig. 4.)
i. Open needle valve (or
block valve upstream of
pressure regulator) on
quench line near prima-
ry seal gland to create
recommended flow.
ii. Throttle needle valve
(or adjust pressure regu-
Circle 120 on Reader Service Card

lator) until a slow water

drip appears at back side
of seal gland.
I Open needle valve
controlling the quench
pressure (or block valve
upstream of the pressure

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MAY05PUMPS&SYSp24-33 4/19/05 2:32 PM Page 30

2. Proceed with closing all pro-

cess valves to isolate pump
from service.
3. Close main valve isolating the
external fluid quench system.
a. Steam Quench: Open
drain valve to remove
any condensate from
system. This step is
important to reduce risk
of freezing during cold
weather.
F i g u r e 4 . A P I P i p i n g P l a n - 6 2 Wa t e r Q u e n c h P i p i n g L ay o u t
b. Nitrogen Quench: No
I Check for leaks around ensure the system is per- additional steps are
any valves and connec- forming. required to isolate the
tions in the external fluid system for maintenance.
quench line. c. Water Quench: No addi-
I Start pump per nor-
Shutdown Guidelines tional steps are required
mal start-up procedure. The following steps are rec- to isolate the system for
ommended to safely isolate an maintenance.
I Once the pump is in
external fluid quench system for 4. The equipment is now isolat-
service, check the visual
maintenance. ed and ready for mainte-
indicator (exhausting
steam, water dripping 1. Shut down pump per normal nance.
and pressure reading) to shutdown procedure.
Circle 108 on Reader Service Card

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Table 1: Recommended flow rates and/or pressures

Preventative subsequent inspections, dripping from back of

the steam quench sys- the seal gland.
Maintenance Tasks tem should be more ii. Visually note reading
The external fluid quench thoroughly reviewed to on pressure gauge (if
system should be checked daily ensure it is operating applicable). The exter-
during normal operator rounds. properly. nal water quench pres-
The Preventative Maintenance b. Nitrogen Quench: sure should set be-
(PM) steps outlined below are set
i. Visually note reading tween 1 – 3 PSIG at the
up to assist operating personnel
on flow meter (if appli- inlet connection.
in troubleshooting the system.
cable). The flow meter
1. Verify that the main isolation should read ~ 1 scfm. Troubleshooting
valve for the external quench The typical failure mode for
ii. Visually note pressure
system is open. an external fluid quench system
gauge reading. It should
2. Follow the next steps for the be between 1 – 3 PSIG is a closed valve or clogged
different fluid quench appli- quench line. In the event the
at the inlet connection.
cations. Preventative Maintenance indi-
a. Steam Quench: c. Water Quench: cators show that the system is not
i. Visually note steam ex- i. Visually note water operating properly, shut down
hausting from back of
seal gland.
ii. Verify steam trap is
operating properly by
opening drain valve to
see if there is any con-
densate in the system.
iii. Visually note reading
on pressure gauge. The
external steam quench
pressure should set
between 1–3 PSIG.
iv. Visually note reading
on the flow meter (if
applicable). It should
read between 5 lbs/hr
and 10 lbs/hr.
v. Take a temperature
Circle 170 on Reader Service Card

reading at the interface

of the shaft and sec-
ondary sealing device
and note the tempera-
ture when the steam
quench is operating
properly. If the temper-
ature varies by more
than 10° F upon

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MAY05PUMPS&SYSp24-33 4/19/05 4:01 PM
the equipment according to the
steps outlined previously.
The tips below are set up to
assist operating and maintenance
personnel in troubleshooting the
system.
1. Verify that main isolation valve
for the external fluid quench
system is open. For an external
steam quench system, open
drain valve to see if there is ade-
quate pressure from the main
isolation valve.
2. Open and close needle valve (or
block valve) to make sure it is
not plugged by debris.
3. If this proves successful, adjust
pressure and put equipment
back in service according to the
line-up procedure. Otherwise,
isolate the equipment and pre-
pare to remove external fluid
quench line for inspection.
4. Once the equipment is ready for
maintenance, remove external
fluid quench line from seal
gland.
a. Check needle valve (or
pressure regulator) for
pluggage.
b. Check main isolation valve
for pluggage.
5. If this proves successful:
a. Reconnect external fluid
quench piping.
b. Prepare external quench
system for service accord-
ing to line-up procedure.
6. If the problem can’t be found,
contact your Mechanical Seal
representative for assistance.
P&S
32 MAY 2005
Page 32
References
1. Dura Seal Manual, The Sealing
Technology Guidebook, Flow-
serve Corporation, Copyrighted
1994.
2. API-682 Shaft Sealing Systems
for Centrifugal and Rotary
Pumps.
3. API Piping Plan, Training Man-
ual, Flowserve Corporation,
Copyrighted 2000.
Keith D. Schindler is a Rotating
Equipment Engineer with Schindler
Engineering, Inc. The firm specializes
in machine repair, procedure writing,
Root Cause Failure Analysis on prob-
lem equipment and operator training.
Schindler holds a BS degree in
Mechanical Engineering from the
University of Houston, and is a
Registered Professional Engineer in
Michigan and Virginia. Contact him
directly at SchindlerInc@aol.com
Paul McMahan is the Rotating
Equipment Specialist Program Man-
ager for Flowserve FSD Seal Group
in the Baton Rouge, LA, Service
Center. He has more than 30 years of
experience with mechanical seals and
was one of the pioneers in the
mechanical seal alliance concept.
McMahan can be reached at pmcma-
han@-flowserve.com
A piping plan pocket pal with a
brief description of many of the stan-
dard API piping plans, including
Plan 62, is available as a download
in .PDF format or as a handy pocket
reference. To obtain your piping plan
pocket pal, log on to www.Flowserve.-
com/seals/literature and request “Me-
chanical Seal Piping Plans” publica-
tion FRA160.
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