Rotating Equipment Measurement
Rotating Equipment Measurement
Rotating Equipment Measurement
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INTRODUCTION SOURCES OF EQUIPMENT DIMENSIONS WHERE TO TAKE DIMENSIONS RECORDING DATA MEASURING EQUIPMENT & ACCURACY MEASUREMENTS & CHECKS RETROFITS - REUSING EXISTING SEAL PARTS UPGRADES FROM GLAND PACKING DOUBLE SEALS PRE-COMMISSIONING EQUIPMENT CHECKS OTHER EQUIPMENT STUFFING BOX & SLEEVE DATA SHEET
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Access Window
Shaft
Nearest Obstruction
See Section 6.3.1
Direction of Rotation
See Section 6.5
Radial Obstruction
See Section 6.3.2
Flush Connection
See Section 6.6
Spigot Location
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
Mechanical seals are not stand-alone items, but always form part of a larger rotating equipment assembly. Obviously if the seal is to function properly it is vital that the design of the seal installation is based on the correct dimensions and information covering all aspects of the rotating equipment which affect the seal. In many cases, this information is reliably available from drawings, but in some situations, there is no alternative but to take measurements of the actual equipment in the field. By their nature, rotating equipment tends to be very diverse in design; hence, it is not possible to produce a document guide covering all such designs that may be encountered in the field. Rather this document covers normal measurements for a typical centrifugal pump, but also refers to other equipment types in passing. With some field experience, it should be possible to apply the points given in this guide to other types of equipments on a case-by-case basis.
3. COMPETITOR
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
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While the other options should be considered first, this document focuses on option no. 4 above, i.e. measurement of rotating equipment on site. This measurement is invariably carried out by John Crane personnel, either because the site engineers are too busy to do this and regard it as a seal vendor's task, or because they are unwilling to take the responsibility of measuring it themselves in case the seal ultimately does not fit!
6.0 MEASUREMENTS & CHECKS 6.1 CRITICAL SURFACES FOR SEALING & LOCATION
The following are critical surfaces for location of seal components and for secondary sealing. Accordingly special care must be taken to ensure these elements of the equipment are properly measured / checked.
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6.1.1 Shaft The shaft of the equipment sets the position of all the rotating portion of the seal assembly, either through a close clearance shaft sleeve or directly to a retainer / collar etc. It also forms part of a static or dynamic seal (e.g. sleeve o-ring / trapped gasket / secondary seal etc.). For stepped shafts, it is essential to measure all relevant diameters in the seal chamber area, both inboard and outboard of the seal. Where the design is a hooked sleeve, the position of the hooked step, the minor diameter and the keyway should all be noted. The major diameter on the shaft should have an adequate lead-in chamfer (typically 1.5mm long X 20o) to ensure that the sleeve / sleeve o-ring / secondary seal can easily be passed onto the shaft during seal installation. If this does not exist then the end-user should be asked to modify the shaft. Note should be taken of any special features existing on the shaft, for example pin or setscrew holes, threads etc., and their size and position should be recorded. NOTE: Some shaft sleeves have a high hardness (chrome steels etc.) or a hard coating (Metco, chrome oxide spray etc.) in the area of the seal. It is important to note the position of any such coatings, and to establish the shaft hardness (normally via the OEM or possibly with a hardness tester), since this would affect the holding power of setscrews (seal head or drive collar). Typical manufacturing tolerance: + 0.02 to + 0.05mm Required measurement tolerance: + 0.01mm Surface finish: 0.8m Roundness: 0.05mm TIR Preferred method of measurement: Micrometer 6.1.2 Bore of seal chamber / spigot diameter Good practice for all mechanical seals demands a radial location of the stationary element, to ensure those parts are centred relative to the shaft. For the majority of seal installations the bore of the seal
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chamber is used as a close clearance pilot diameter, to radially locate the stationary portion of the seal assembly. The exceptions are installations where: the radial location is taken from an OD spigot, in which case similar comments apply to that OD surface instead of the ID some cartridge seal designs are radially set through setting spacers or centralising rings (e.g. Type 5600 series etc). For either of the seal chamber bore is then less critical, since it is not used for sealing or location.
ID Spigot
OD Spigot
Where an ID spigot is used, there may be a short recess machined as a counterbore into the face of the seal chamber. In such cases this recess is intended specifically for spigotting purposes, hence should be a controlled (tight tolerance) diameter. For some seal designs, an o-ring in the bore of the seal chamber forms the static seal between the gland plate and the seal chamber. In such cases the surface finish of the seal chamber bore must be sufficient for sealing purposes (see below), and there must be an adequate lead-in chamfer to ensure the o-ring does not get cut during installation (typically 1.5mm long X 20o). Similarly, if the o-ring has to pass over any connection holes or other steps on the ID surface, these should be dressed or relieved to prevent o-ring damage during installation. Typical manufacturing tolerance: varies Required tolerance: + 0.02mm Required measurement tolerance: + 0.02 - + 0.05mm Surface finish: 0.8m Roundness: 0.05mm TIR Preferred method of measurement: Vernier 6.1.3 Face of seal chamber The face of the seal chamber is normally used as a sealing surface for either an o-ring or gasket in the seal gland plate. Although this is a static secondary seal, nevertheless it is important that the surface finish of the seal chamber face is adequate for sealing purposes. The face of the seal chamber also acts as an abutment for the gland plate, hence must be square to the shaft to prevent any misalignment of the stationary seal assembly. Surface finish: 0.8m Squareness to shaft: TIR 0.005mm per 10mm of seal chamber bore
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the studs. The mean of these 2 dimensions should then be taken and this considered as the PCD. With 4 studs, this should be checked with the opposing pair of studs to ensure the figure is the same! The angle of the bolt positions should be noted, e.g. TDC and 90o positions, 45oC positions, special positions / non-standard angle etc. In the latter case, it may be necessary to 'construct' the positions of the bolt studs by taking several measurements. NOTE: there is often a wide tolerance on the actual positions of bolt studs; hence, even for orthodox bolt positions it is still worth constructing the position as a check. The bolt stud extension should be measured, since this will limit the section of the seal gland plate or require replacement longer studs. This dimension should be measured from the end face of the seal chamber to the end of the threaded portion of the stud. Note that for seal retrofits the thickness of the existing gland plate can also be used as a guide to allowable envelope dimensions. Typical manufacturing tolerance: + 0.2 - 0.5mm Required measurement tolerance: + 0.2mm Preferred method of measurement: Vernier
6.3 OBSTRUCTIONS
Most seal selections and designs are constrained by the available space in the seal chamber. This problem is compounded in a growing number of upgrades to double seal installations in older equipments, resulting from greater emphasis on emissions/ reliability / safety etc.
Access Window typical endview of seal chamber:
Drain Hole
The major constraints facing the seal supplier are as follows: 6.3.1 Axial The most important axial obstruction to consider is the distance to the bearing housing. This is variously referred to as the N.O. (Nearest Obstruction) or the F.O.B. (First OBstruction). This restricts the length of the seal assembly outboard of the seal chamber. It is normally impossible to increase this distance, because the bearing position will be fixed as part of the original design. Therefore, the only way to make more space available would be to machine back the surface of the seal chamber. However, this is unpopular with end-users due to the difficulties of making the modification, and because it is an irreversible process. Note that the distance to the nearest obstruction at the shaft may be less than at a larger diameter, due to the inclusion of a bearing deflector. Typical build tolerance: + 0.5mm Required measurement tolerance: + 1mm Preferred method of measurement: Vernier or ruler
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6.3.2 Radial Radial obstructions typically include bearing brackets or other features limiting the design of the seal installation. These can affect the gland plate OD, the size and position of tapped connections for flushing / quenching etc. Thought must also be given to the 'ergonomics' of the seal design, for example the space available for tightening of setscrews, removal of setting spacers etc. The positions of any obstructions should be 'constructed' by taking various measurements relative to the face of the seal chamber, the shaft, the bearing housing etc. Bearing bracket designs will be vary depending on the individual equipment, however typical configurations include those shown on the Stuffing Box and Sleeve Data Sheet. Typical manufacturing tolerance: + 0.5mm Required measurement tolerance: + 1mm Preferred method of measurement: Vernier or ruler For retrofitting projects, the competitors' seal components are a reliable guide to acceptable seal envelope dimensions, since they have already been installed in the available space. Therefore, by measuring the OD of the existing gland plate, the overall length of the existing sleeve etc., it is safe to conclude that these dimensions will be less than the radial or axial obstructions. 6.3.3 Access Windows Where the seal assembly may have to pass through an access window, this will be a constraint on the overall dimensions of the seal. Similarly, if a seal is to be fitted from the coupling side of the equipment, the DBSE (Distance Between Shaft Ends) should be noted, since with the coupling removed this dimension will limit the overall length of the seal.
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site operators The direction of shaft rotation should be recorded as from the motor side. Note that conventionally an API pump will rotate CW while an ANSI pump will rotate CCW, as seen from the motor side. TO BE CHECKED.
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It is quite possible that wear on the shaft or the face of the seal stuffing box may have taken place from the gland packing installation (see below). Any such wear should be noted and recorded. This may affect the type of seal design used, and in extreme cases may necessitate substantial modification and / or replacement of parts of the rotating equipment before a seal could be installed.
Worn Shaft
The gland packing follower will typically have been tightened using only 2 gland bolts / studs, however for even tightening of a seal gland plate 4 bolt studs are recommended. Therefore, the feasibility of adding in 2 more bolt studs to the face of the seal chamber should be considered.
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pre-com missioning surface finish & dim ensional check equipment checks
- 1. dimensions and surface finishes
0.8
Figure #1 check the shaft and seal chamber dimensions and surface finishes as noted
Figure # 2 measure the shaft r unout at the seal location - the maximum value should not exceed 0.05m m FIM
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pre-com missioning surface finish & dim ensional check equipment checks
- 3. axial float
Figure # 3 the m aximum value should not exceed 0.08mm FIM - remove any sharp edges or burrs on the shaft over w hich the seal sleeve m ust pass
Figure #4 the maximum value should not exceed 0 005 per 10mm of seal chamber bore diameter FIM
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11.1 AGITATORS
For agitators the driver unit (motor ' gearbox) may not be removed for seal installation, as this is a time-consuming process. Rather the maintenance procedure may involve the coupling only being removed, and the seal then installed through an access window. The dimensions of the access window are frequently small and restrict the overall envelope dimensions of the seal. If this is not taken into consideration then the result can be an expensive seal that finally cannot even be installed!
Access Window
Shaft runout and vibration levels on agitators are invariably higher than for a pump, because the equipment is larger and alignment less precise. These should be discussed on site, and axial and radial shaft float should be measured if practical. If the equipment is running then it should be possible to qualitatively assess the shaft movement and vibration, e.g. 'normal', 'high' etc. Vibration levels at the area of the seal can be recorded if suitable measurement equipment is available. Where an integral radial bearing is required in the seal cartridge, the necessary load figures are needed to correctly size the bearing. These may be available from site data sheets or the OEM, or in the case of a retrofit the size / specification of the existing bearing should be noted.
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PCD
45
Indicate which method - if needed Mark location of flush and quench connection Connection size: _____
Number of studs:_____ Boss Counterbore Stud size:_____ Scallop Slot Spigot detail dimension
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3 Sheet 1 of 2
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JC reference :____________ Pump type :____________ Pump model :____________ Date :____________ Measure by:____________
Sheet 2 of 2