DiamondFace-coated sliding faces in boiler feed pumps
DF-SAF(P)I seals as a solution against electrical corrosion
Situation
Boiler feed pump in a nuclear power station in southern Germany
Challenge
Complicated repair jobs and expensive downtimes due to destructive electrical corrision
Solution
EagleBurgmann mechanical seals DF-SAF(P)I with DiamondFace
Ever since October 2010, the world‘s first mechanical seal with diamond-coated sliding faces has been operating in a boiler feed pump at a nuclear power station in southern Germany, to the complete satisfaction of the operator, E.ON. EagleBurgmann is the first and only company to offer this convincing technological solution which has currently been used in the SAF(P)I seal type.
The outstanding advantage of the DF-SAF(P)I is that it puts an end to the electrical corrosion that has a destructive effect on the silicon carbide rings. Even without conditioning the feed water, e.g. by injecting ammonia, the seal with coated seal face and seat achieves a significantly longer service life. Complicated repair jobs and expensive downtimes are both minimized as a result.
Tested under scientific conditions, proven in practical applications
Before the DiamondFace coating was used, it was tested under scientific conditions and with the original fluid as part of a project undertaken jointly by EagleBurgmann and the Technical University of Graz in Austria. After more than 10,000 hours of continuous operation without any signs of electrical corrosion on seal face or seat, it was then possible to go on to successful practical application of the seal solution together with E.ON.
Features
- Cartridge design
- Single seal
- Balanced
- Independent of direction of rotation
- Integrated pumping device
- Double pressure balanced
- Stationary springs
Seal face and seat with DiamondFace coating
Advantages
- Seal resistant to deformation, for very high sliding velocities and pressures
- Specifically developed for use with water that has a high electrical conductivity in conjunction with high sliding velocities
- Resistant to electrical corrosion
- Economy due to standardized internal components
- High flexibility due to adaptation of the connecting parts to the pump installation space
- Optimum heat dissipation due to integrated pumping device
- Lower power consumption than conventional seals
- Non sensitive to shaft movements due to stationary design
- Quick and easy installation because it is a preassembled unit
- Only a few seal components
The operator‘s expectations were met in full, and as a result he ordered additional DiamondFace seals for re-equipping another pump. In the meantime, orders for power stations operated by other customers in the USA, South Korea and Switzerland had been placed and completed. Reports on the experience at EagleBurgmann's reference customer, E.ON, were one of the decisive factors leading to these decisions.
Reliable partnership
EagleBurgmann has been working successfully and in a spirit of partnership with E.ON for more than 20.years, to the mutual benefit of both partners. This confirms that EagleBurgmann's success is determined not only by innovative technology but also by the commitment and customer orientation displayed by its employees.
- Shaft diameter: d1 = 120 ... 200 mm (4.72" ... 7.87")
- Pressure: p1 = 70 bar (1,015 PSI)
- Temperature: t = 300 °C (572 °F)
- Sliding speed: vg = 70 m/s (230 ft/s)
- Axial movement: +/- 3 mm
- Seal face and seat: Silicon carbide with diamond coating (DiamondFace)
- Secondary seals: EPDM (E), FFKM (K)
- Springs: CrNiMo steel (G)
- Metal parts: CrNiMo steel (G)
