OVERVIEW OF API 682 SECOND EDITION

by
Michael B. Huebner
Staff Engineer
Flowserve Corporation
Deer Park, Texas

used in industry. Users had also shown interest in expanding the

Michael Huebner is a Staff Engineer at scope of the standard to include pumps commonly used in
Flowserve Corporation, Flow Solutions chemical industries. The application of the First Edition created
Division, in Deer Park, Texas. He has more international challenges since it was written primarily defaulting to
than 20 years experience in the design of other American standards such as ANSI and ASME. The API Task
mechanical seals, centrifugal and positive Force was given the assignment of taking a very successful First
displacement pumps, and fluid conditioning Edition and creating an updated and expanded Second Edition that
equipment. For Flowserve, he has served in would address these issues.
design, testing, and application functions in
both the U.S. and Europe. GENERAL
Mr. Huebner is a member of the At first glance, there is very little in common between the First
International Pump Users Symposium Edition and Second Edition other than the size of the document. This
Advisory Committee and the API 682 Task Force. He received his is because the standard has been completely reorganized in
B.S. degree (Engineering Technology) from Texas A&M University. preparation for its publication as an ISO standard (ISO 21049). This
has resulted in a completely different arrangement and numbering of
the document. Any references to specific clauses or appendixes from
ABSTRACT the First Edition will not be correct in the Second Edition. Upon
APIs recent release of Standard 682, Second Edition, represents closer examination, the reader will find most of the information
a major revision to this standard. The latest revision has greatly from the First Edition is still there although there have been
expanded the scope of the standard by including applications to significant additions in many areas. Although this tutorial covers
more pumps, adding new seal types, and creating seal categories. many of these additions, the reader should review the standard for a
While the standard has changed significantly, the original focus of thorough understanding of the requirements of the Second Edition.
the standard has remained the same—to guide the user into
selecting proven seal technology to successfully seal a variety of DIMENSIONS
applications. This tutorial introduces some of the more significant Since the Second Edition has been written as an ISO standard,
changes to the Second Edition. all dimensional data have been presented in SI units. US customary
units are also given in parentheses as a secondary reference. The
INTRODUCTION user will specify whether data, drawings, hardware (including
API Standard 682 (1994) was originally published in 1994. This fasteners), and equipment supplied to this standard will use SI units
standard was the result of the efforts of a number of key rotating or US customary units.
equipment engineers in the refinery industry. The purpose of the
standard was to capture proven solutions to the most common SEAL CATEGORIES
sealing applications seen in refineries. There was no attempt to Seal categories are “subspecifications” within the Second
cover every type of rotating equipment or mechanical seal. There Edition. Before defining a category, it would be helpful to
was also no attempt to cover every application. Rather the standard understand why they were created. The First Edition specified a
was to serve as a guide to selecting seals based on what was seal designed for demanding services. This included features such
working in actual services. In the process, the Task Force had to as a distributed flush arrangement and floating throttle bushing on
define a number of key concepts. all single seals. These features made these seals larger and more
The sealing industry had developed with very little effort on costly than required for many general duty applications. For these
standardization between various pump and seal original equipment applications, some users have specified seals that had only some of
manufacturers (OEMs). This resulted in a continuous spectrum of the features required on a standard seal. Customers referred to
seal sizes and designs. There were no standard seal models, design these seals as being designed “in the spirit of 682” or with the
features, materials, or operating windows. Even the nomenclature “intent of 682.” It was clear that all the features required by the
between seal components was different between different OEMs. First Edition were not required for every application. As the
Before the 682 Task Force could create a standard, it had to define standard was expanding the scope to include more chemical
a great number of concepts related to seals. This included nomen- pumps, it was seen as inevitable that this practice would continue.
clature, seal types, and seal arrangements. It also created a It was also critical to recognize that chemical duty pumps and
methodology for seal selections based on process fluids and their seals were intended to be applied in a smaller operating
operating conditions. window than the traditional First Edition seals. Most chemical duty
This standard has been used around the world on new projects, pumps are designed to operate at lower pressures and temperatures
expansions, and seal upgrades. Its acceptance has been truly inter- than the API 610 pumps so it was consistent to create a seal
national. Since the introduction of the First Edition in 1994, category that reflected the pumps’ capabilities.
though, there have been many changes in the sealing industry that A seal category is a subspecification that defines the intended
made a revision to the standard beneficial. First, new seal models pump, operating window, materials, design features, and docu-
(such as dry gas seals and containment seals) have been widely mentation requirements for the seal. There are three categories
117
118 PROCEEDINGS OF THE TWENTIETH INTERNATIONAL PUMP USERS SYMPOSIUM • 2003

defined as Category 1, 2, and 3. A Category 1 seal is a seal intended

for chemical duty pumps. A Category 2 seal is intended for API
610 (ISO 13709) pumps in refinery services requiring fewer
features than a 682 First Edition seal. The Category 3 seal is
intended for API 610 pumps and is basically the same seal defined
in the First Edition. Table 1 outlines some of the features and
requirements for each category.

Table 1. Comparison of Features of Categories.

Figure 2. Standard and Alternative Type B Seal.

SEAL TYPES
The seal type defines the basic design of a seal as well as the
materials of construction. These are largely unchanged from the
First Edition. Seal types are defined as Type A, B, or C. A Type A
seal is a pusher seal with a rotating flexible element, silicon carbide
versus carbon faces, alloy C-276 springs, fluoroelastomer O-rings,
and 316SS metal components (Figure 1). A Type B seal is a
bellows seal with a rotating flexible element, silicon carbide versus
carbon faces, alloy C-276 diaphragms, fluoroelastomer O-rings,
and 316SS metal components (Figure 2). A Type C seal is a
bellows seal with a stationary flexible element, silicon carbide
versus carbon faces, alloy 718 diaphragms, flexible graphite
secondary seals, and 316SS metal components (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Standard and Alternative Type C Seal.

A containment seal is a backup seal in a dual unpressurized seal

arrangement. It is designed to operate at less than 10 psi for the life
of the inner seal. When the inner seal fails, the containment seal is
designed to run under full seal chamber conditions for a minimum
of eight hours and prevent or minimize process fluid leakage to
atmosphere. The containment seal is designated as “CS.”
A noncontacting seal is a seal that is designed to intentionally
create a hydrodynamic lift and operate with a specific face
separation. This design is used primarily on dual pressurized gas
seals. It may also be used on liquid or mixed phase applications.
This seal design is designated as “NC.”

SEAL ARRANGEMENTS AND CONFIGURATIONS

A seal arrangement defines the number of seals in the cartridge
and the pressure in the cavity between dual seals. In the First
Edition, seal arrangements were relatively straightforward. An
Arrangement 1 seal was a single seal. An Arrangement 2 seal was
a dual seal in a series (face-to-back) orientation. The buffer fluid
Figure 1. Standard and Alternative Type A Seal. cavity between the two seals was maintained at a pressure lower
than seal chamber pressure. An Arrangement 3 seal was a dual seal
In the First Edition, all seals were assumed to be contacting wet in a series (face-to-back) orientation with a barrier fluid pressure
seals. Although there have been many lively discussions about greater than the seal chamber pressure.
whether standard liquid mechanical seals are contacting or not, for In the Second Edition, the same definitions of arrangement
the purpose of this standard they are designated as contacting wet apply although there are more options available due to the
(or “CW”) seals. The Second Edition introduces two other seal inclusion of containment seals and noncontacting seals. This made
designs: the containment seal and the noncontacting seal. it necessary to introduce the concept of the seal configuration. The
 OVERVIEW OF API 682 SECOND EDITION 119

configuration is a subset of the arrangement and it defines the In the First Edition, process connection sizes, orientations, and
function of the seal (contacting wet, noncontacting, or containment markings were specified for the three arrangements. In the Second
seal). It may also define the type of bushing (on a single seal) or Edition, the greater number of configurations along with the
the orientation on Arrangement 3 seals. An example of a configu- different seal categories has resulted in an extensive chart detailing
ration is 1CW-FL. This would be interpreted as an Arrangement 1 the required connections. One of the key objectives is to eliminate
seal where the inner seal is a contacting wet (or CW) seal with a the potential for connecting process piping to atmospheric
floating (FL) bushing. A 2CW-CW seal is interpreted as an connections. In the First Edition, this was accomplished by
Arrangement 2 seal where the inner and outer seals are both making all process connections 3/4 NPT and all atmospheric
contacting wet (CW) seals. connections 3/8 NPT. In the Second Edition, most process
Arrangement 3 seals have the most options. These seals can be connections are 1/2 NPT, atmospheric connections are 3/8 NPT, and
provided as dual pressurized liquid seals in a variety of orienta- liquid barrier/buffer fluid connections are 1/2 or 3/4 NPT (depending
tions. These are contacting wet seals (CW) in a face-to-back (FB), upon the shaft diameter).
back-to-back (BB), or face-to-face (FF) orientation. A 3CW-FB is There are also a greater number of possible connections in the
an Arrangement 3 contacting wet seal in a face-to-back orientation. Second Edition. This has resulted in different connection symbols.
Arrangement 3 seals can also be provided as dual noncontacting Table 2 shows these differences. All other connections such as
gas seals (gas barrier fluid) in a variety of orientations. A 3NC-BB flush (F), cooling (C), drain (D), and quench (Q) remain the same.
is an Arrangement 3 noncontacting seal in a back-to-back
orientation. The relationship between seal arrangements and Table 2. New Connection Symbols.
configurations is shown in Figure 4.
Arrangement 1 Arrangement 2 Arrangement 3
One seal per cartridge Two seals per cartridge assembly with a Two seals per cartridge assembly
assembly containment seal chamber which is at a that utilize an externally supplied
pressure less than the seal chamber pressure barrier fluid

Liquid buffer fluid Gas buffer fluid or Liquid barrier fluid Gas barrier fluid
no buffer fluid

Contacting Dual contacting Contacting wet Contacting wet Non-contacting

single wet seal wet seals inner seal with a seals in a seals in a
with a fixed containment face-to-back back-to-back
throttle bushing seal configuration configuration
Configuration Configuration Configuration Configuration Configuration
1CW-FX 2CW-CW 2CW-CS 3CW-FB 3NC-BB

Contacting Non-contacting Contacting wet Non-contacting

single wet seal inner seal with a seals in a seals in a
with a floating containment back-to-back face-to-face
throttle bushing seal configuration configuration
Configuration Configuration Configuration Configuration
1CW-FL 2NC-CS 3CW-BB 3NC-FF

Contacting wet
seals in a
Non-contacting
seals in a
In addition to the sizes and symbols for connection, the Second
face-to-face face-to-back
configuration configuration Edition also specifies the angular orientation of the connections
Configuration
3CW-FF
Configuration when viewed from the end view of the seal. All connections that
3NC-FB
are self-venting (such as the flush, buffer/buffer fluid outlets, and
flush outlets) are located at the top of the seal (or zero degrees).
Figure 4. Seal Configurations.
All connections that function as a drain (such as the drain and
containment seal drain) are located at the bottom of the cavity (or
On Arrangement 3 seals, the order of the configurations shown
180 degrees). These locations are defined as the location where
in Figure 4 designates the order of preference as defined by the
the connection intersects the cavity. This does not require the
standard. The default configuration for a dual pressurized,
actual connection port to be at this location on the outside
contacting wet seal is in a face-to-back orientation (3CW-FB). This
diameter (OD) of the seal gland. This is especially true for
was the default Arrangement 3 from the First Edition. For a dual tangential ports where the piping will connect to the gland at
pressurized, noncontacting seal, the default configuration is a some angle off vertical.
back-to-back orientation (3NC-BB). The First Edition specified clearances between the inside
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS—GENERAL diameter (ID) of the seal sleeve and the OD of the shaft to be
between 0.001 and 0.003 inch including tolerances on both parts.
The Second Edition states that the “standard does not cover the This was independent of the shaft diameter. Depending upon the
design of the component parts of mechanical seals…” This refers tolerances of both parts, this could lead to clearances under 0.001
to the requirements that are typically covered in standards such as inch. On larger diameter seals, this created installation and removal
allowable stress levels and deformations. The standard does problems in the field. In the Second Edition, the allowable
however contain a great number of requirements covering clearance (along with the tolerances on the sleeve and shaft) are
everything from O-ring sealing surfaces to drive collars. The defined as F7/h6 according to ISO 286-2. This has resulted in
majority of the design requirements are unchanged from the First clearances up to 0.0037 inch on the larger seal sizes.
Edition. Some of the changes are noted below. The First Edition specified that the default material for all seal
One of the significant changes is the separation of pump and seal faces was premium grade, blister-resistant carbon versus reaction
standards. Both the API 610 and API 682 Task Forces made efforts bonded silicon carbide. For seals requiring two hard faces, the
to remove redundancies between the two standards. In API 610 default face materials were reaction bonded silicon carbide versus
(1995), most seal requirements, the seal code, and seal piping plans nickel bound tungsten carbide. In the Second Edition, there is a
have been eliminated with a reference made to API 682. In API 682, difference between materials for different seal categories. Since a
Second Edition (2002), all shaft and seal chamber tabulations have Category 1 seal will typically be used in a chemical pump, the
been eliminated. All references to seal chambers and pump require- default face materials are premium grade, blister-resistant carbon
ments are made back to the original pump specification. This is also versus self-sintered silicon carbide. Categories 2 and 3 are the
consistent with the inclusion of ASME B73 and ISO 3069 Frame C same as the First Edition (premium grade, blister-resistant carbon
seal chambers. The only pump requirements remaining in the versus reaction bonded silicon carbide). For seals requiring two
standard pertain to the interface between the pump and the seal. hard faces, the default material for both faces is silicon carbide.
120 PROCEEDINGS OF THE TWENTIETH INTERNATIONAL PUMP USERS SYMPOSIUM • 2003

ACCESSORIES CV PI PSL FSH

Seal Coolers
A seal cooler is used to reduce the temperature of the fluid in the
seal chamber. This is often done to increase vapor pressure or
improve fluid properties for the seal. The First Edition outlined
some of the construction details for seal coolers. In general, all seal If specified
To seal
coolers had to be designed with process fluid on the tube side and
cooling water on the shell side. Both the tube and shell sides had
to be completely drainable. Piping for the tube was required to be
3/4 inch tube with a minimum 0.095 inch wall thickness.
From gas supply
The Second Edition maintains these requirements but adds an
additional smaller size cooler for smaller shafts. For shaft sizes of
2.500 inches or less, a cooler with 1/2 inch tubing and a minimum
wall thickness of 0.065 inch should be used. For shafts larger than
2.500 inches, a seal cooler with 3/4 inch tubing and a minimum
0.095 inch wall thickness should be used. Of course, the primary
V FIL PR FO FI
consideration in selecting a seal cooler must be adequate heat
removal. This may result in a larger seal cooler being applied to
seal with a shaft diameter under 2.500 inches. Figure 5. Typical Barrier/Buffer Gas Supply Panel.

Barrier/Buffer Fluid Reservoirs operation is to isolate the containment seal cavity from
atmosphere. Per the standard, the pressure in the seal cavity should
Reservoirs are used on Plan 52 and Plan 53A piping plans to be less than 10 psi. The containment seal’s real work begins when
provide buffer and barrier fluids to the seals. The First Edition had the primary seal fails. In this condition, the containment seal may
detailed requirements for the dimensions, materials, and instru- be operating on high pressure vapors or process fluids. The quali-
mentation for these reservoirs. One of these requirements was that fication testing is designed to simulate normal operation as well as
the volume of the barrier fluid in the system at the normal liquid failure of the inner seal. Leakages and pressure drops are
level was five gallons. The Second Edition maintains most of the monitored and recorded at key points during the testing. The
same requirements for reservoirs but has added a smaller size containment seal test sequence is shown in Figure 6.
reservoir for smaller shaft sizes. For shafts with a diameter of 2.500
inches and smaller, the standard reservoir shall have a capacity of Dynamic test Static test Dynamic test Static test
phase phase phase phase
three gallons at normal liquid levels. For shafts larger than 2.500
Speed (RPM)

inches, the capacity should be a minimum of five gallons as 10 PSI Propane 40 PSI Diesel
3600
detailed in the First Edition.
25 PSI
Condensate Collection Reservoir Nitrogen 250 PSI
Diesel
0
The condensate collection reservoir is a vessel used to collect
leakage from a Plan 75 system. This reservoir not only collects the
leakage, it provides a place for liquid and gas phase leakage to Minimum Minimum
separate and be piped to the appropriate recovery system. The 100 hours 5 Minutes 100 hours 4 Hours

reservoir will also be instrumented to monitor inner seal leakage Figure 6. Containment Seal Test Sequence.
through both the liquid level and pressure in the reservoir. The
standard provides details of the construction for this vessel. Dual gas seals are designed to run with barrier gas maintained at
Barrier/Buffer Gas Supply Panels a pressure higher than the seal chamber pressure. In actual service,
there may be interruptions in the gas supply that could affect seal
Gas supply panels are used on Plan 72 and Plan 74 systems to performance. Qualification testing for these seals includes steady-
provide a filtered regulated inert gas to the mechanical seals. The state testing under the same conditions outlined for liquid seals.
supply panels must have, at a minimum, a pressure regulator, This includes starts and stops along with variations in the pressure
coalescing filter, flow meter, low pressure switch, pressure gauge, and temperature of the process fluid. After completing this testing,
check valve, and isolation valve. A typical arrangement for these the seal is exposed to upsets in the barrier gas supply. The first
components is shown in Figure 5. The purchaser and seal OEM phase simulates a complete loss of barrier gas pressure under static
shall mutually agree on the instrumentation and general arrange- conditions for one hour. The seal is then repressurized and tested at
ments for the panel. 3600 rpm. During testing, the barrier pressure is isolated from the
supply pressure and allowed to decay while the seal continues
SEAL QUALIFICATION TESTS operation. The pressure is reestablished and allowed to reach
The First Edition introduced the concept of the standardized seal equilibrium. The tester is then stopped, the seal isolated, and
qualification test. Since one of the goals of the standard was to pressure decay measured for 10 minutes. Leakages and pressure
provide seals with high probability of achieving three years of drops are also monitored and recorded at key points during
uninterrupted service, it was natural to try to obtain some objective operations. The dual gas seal test sequence is shown in Figure 7.
evidence that this could be accomplished. Seal testing was done on All testing of liquid seals performed under the First Edition is
a number of representative fluids under common operating valid for the Second Edition with one caveat. The First Edition did
conditions. In addition to steady-state operation, there were a not define an acceptance criterion for the seals during testing.
number of starts and stops along with pressure and temperature Basically, it was up to the seal OEM to determine if the seal was
variations to evaluate the seals on real world conditions. suitable for the service. While it is still the seal OEMs responsi-
The Second Edition has continued with this philosophy and bility to ensure an acceptable seal, there is now an acceptance
introduced qualification testing for containment seals and dual gas criterion. During testing, the seals must maintain a leakage rate of
seals. Containment seals are designed for long runs under less than 1000 ppm (as measured by EPA Method 21) or 5.6 gr/hr.
relatively low duty conditions. Their function during this stage of This leakage criterion does not apply to testing of dual gas seals or
 OVERVIEW OF API 682 SECOND EDITION 121

Static test Dynamic test Static test

phase phase phase

Barrier at Barrier at
Speed (RPM)

test Barrier at test

pressure 0 PSI pressure
3600

Barrier
Barrier at 0 PSI blocked in
0

1 Hour Equilibrium 1 Minute Equilibrium 10 Minutes

To pump suction

Figure 7. Dual Gas Seal Test Sequence. From pump discharge

V
containment seals under failure conditions. In addition, the FI FO Q/D
measured wear on the seal faces must be less than 1 percent of the
available wear.

HYDROSTATIC TEST
Hydrostatic testing is required for all the pressure boundary of
the seal and support system. This includes the seal gland, all
piping, reservoirs, and other auxiliary equipment exposed to
process fluids. In the Second Edition, there is an exemption for seal Figure 8. Standard Seal Flush Plan 14.
glands machined from a single piece of wrought material or bar
stock. Cast seal glands still require testing. (Figure 9). The barrier fluid is pressurized by an external source
such as a regulated supply of nitrogen. The reservoir serves to
ANNEX A—RECOMMENDED
remove heat from the barrier fluid as well as provide makeup fluid
SEAL SELECTION PROCEDURE for normal seal losses. Excessive seal leakage is detected by a
The seal selection procedure was introduced in the First Edition change in fluid level in the reservoir. The primary disadvantage of
to give guidance to the user in selecting a seal for a specific this plan is that there is an interface between the pressurization gas
application. These applications, as well as the procedures, are and the barrier fluid. At higher pressures, this can lead to
broken down into three process fluids: nonhydrocarbon, significant gas absorption into the barrier fluid resulting in poor
nonflashing hydrocarbon, and flashing hydrocarbon. The seal performance.
procedure goes through a number of steps including selection of
From external pressure source
the seal type, arrangement, and piping plan. The selection By purchaser
procedure has been revised for the Second Edition to include the
new seal designs and categories. It also has a greater focus on the By vendor
selection of the seal arrangement. Normally open
PI PSL
If specified

ANNEX D—STANDARD FLUSH Make up barrier fluid

Reservoir
LSH

PLANS AND AUXILIARY HARDWARE LI

LSL

Annex D contains all the standard piping plans for mechanical

seals. While most of these piping plans were also in the First
Edition, there have been several changes to reflect different tech- LBO
nologies and address the requirements of the new seal designs.
PLAN 14 LBI

Plan 14 is a combination of a Plan 11 and a Plan 13 (Figure 8).

From external pressure source
This is most commonly used on vertical pumps where there is a need
to provide a flush to the seal chamber while continually venting back
to suction. This plan was included in API 610, Eighth Edition (1995),
Reservoir

and has now been moved in API 682, Second Edition (2002).
PLAN 53
V
A Plan 53 is a dual pressurized liquid seal support system. In the
F LBO LBI
First Edition, this was defined as a reservoir that is pressurized by
an inert gas. While this is the most common method of providing a
Plan 53, other options also exist. It was difficult to specify these
options, though, since there were no recognized designations for
them nor any standardized details on piping and instrumentation.
The Second Edition has addressed this by defining three variations
of the Plan 53: Plan 53A, 53B, and 53C. These variations are
considered as technically equivalent. If the user specifies a Plan 53, Figure 9. Standard Seal Flush Plan 53A.
any of these variations may be provided.
Plan 53B
Plan 53A This plan replaces the reservoir with a bladder accumulator
This is the Plan 53 as defined in the First Edition. Barrier fluid (Figure 10). The accumulator provides both pressurization of the
is maintained in a reservoir and circulated by the mechanical seal barrier fluid and makeup fluid to compensate for normal seal
122 PROCEEDINGS OF THE TWENTIETH INTERNATIONAL PUMP USERS SYMPOSIUM • 2003

losses. The bladder separates the pressurization gas from the Piston accumulator PI PSL

barrier fluid preventing absorption of the gas at high pressures. LI

Since the bladder is precharged with the pressurization gas, the LSL
plan can be operated without a permanent connection to an Make up barrier fluid
external gas supply. The barrier fluid is circulated by the seal If specified
through a loop that includes a seal cooler and other instrumenta-
tion. Excessive leakage is detected by a drop in the pressure in the
seal loop. This plan is normally more expensive than a Plan 53A. TI

Bladder charge connection

LBO

Bladder accumulator
LBI
PI PSL

Piston accumulator
Make up barrier fluid

If specified

TI
V

LBO F LBO LBI

LBI

Bladder charge connection

Bladder accumulator
Figure 11. Standard Seal Flush Plan 53C.

V
F LBO LBI GBI
CSV

CSD

V
F CSV CSD GBI

Figure 10. Standard Seal Flush Plan 53B.

Plan 53C
Another variation of this plan uses a piston accumulator (Figure
11). Pressure from a reference source (normally the seal chamber)
is piped to the bottom of the piston accumulator. Due to the
differences in the areas on the piston, a higher pressure is generated Figure 12. Standard Seal Flush Plan 71.
at the top of the accumulator. This is piped into a seal loop. Like
the Plan 53B, the barrier fluid is circulated by the mechanical seal PLAN 72
through a seal cooler. With no pressurization gas, there is no
chance of gas absorption into the barrier fluid. Since the piston Plan 72 is an external buffer gas supplied to the containment seal
accumulator pressurizes the barrier fluid based on the reference cavity through a control panel (Figure 13). This plan is provided
pressure, the barrier pressure automatically tracks actual operating when it is beneficial to sweep the containment seal cavity with an
conditions including system upsets. One of the disadvantages of inert gas. Buffer gas is maintained at a pressure lower than seal
this system is that the accumulator is exposed to process fluid. This chamber pressure and less than 10 psi. This plan is almost always
is a concern in corrosive or abrasive applications. In addition, this used in conjunction with a Plan 75 or 76 to sweep the buffer gas
plan is generally more expensive than either the Plan 53A or 53B. and seal leakage into a closed collection system. Requirements for
the control panel are detailed in the standard.
PLAN 71
The 70 series of piping plans addresses piping requirements of PLAN 74
dual gas seals and containment seals. Plan 71 is designated for Plan 74 is an external barrier gas supplied to a dual pressurized
seals where the containment seal cavity is run dead-ended (Figure gas seal (Figure 14). Barrier gas is provided at a pressure higher
12). It will also be used when no other containment seal piping has than seal chamber pressure to positively prevent process fluids
been specified and the connections are plugged for purchaser’s use. from leaking to atmosphere. Normally an inert gas such as plant
 OVERVIEW OF API 682 SECOND EDITION 123

By vendor By purchaser

Buffer gas panel

If specified
FSH
F
PSL FI I From external source
PCV L
PI GBI
To vapor
collection system
CSD
GBI CSV By purchaser

PI
CSD PSH
Test connection
By vendor
From external
source

LG LSH

V F CSV CSD GBI

If specified
To liquid
collection system

From external
source

Figure 13. Standard Seal Flush Plan 72. V

F CSV CSD GBI
nitrogen is used as the barrier gas. Requirements for the control
panel are detailed in the standard.
By vendor By purchaser
Gas barrier panel
If specified
FSH
F
PSL FI I From external source
L
PI

Figure 15. Standard Seal Flush Plan 75.

leakage to atmosphere, the containment seal cavity is piped into a

vapor recovery or flare system. High leakage rates past the inner seal
GBI will result in a pressure increase between the seal and the orifice in
the piping. This will be detected by the pressure indicator and high
GBO pressure switch indicating failure of the inner seal. Specification for
the piping and instrumentation are detailed in the standard. This plan
From external
may be used by itself or in conjunction with a Plan 72.
source
To collection system
V By purchaser
GBO GBI

Pipe
By vendor
Tube

PSH PI
Figure 14. Standard Seal Flush Plan 74.
150 (6") min
PLAN 75
A Plan 75 is used to collect leakage into the containment seal
cavity when the process fluid does not completely vaporize (Figure GBI CSV
15). This leakage may be liquid phase or a mixture of liquid and
vapor phases. The accumulation of liquid leakage in a containment
seal cavity may adversely affect seal performance so all leakage CSD
should be drained from the low point drain at the bottom of the
containment seal cavity. The leakage is piped to a collection
reservoir that is connected to liquid and vapor recovery systems. From external
source
Inner seal performance is monitored by pressurization of the
reservoir and by monitoring the liquid level in the collection V
reservoir. The inner seal can also be tested by blocking in the F CSV CSD GBI
reservoir and noting the time/pressure buildup relationship in the
reservoir. Requirements for the reservoir are detailed in the standard.
This plan may be used by itself or in conjunction with a Plan 72.
PLAN 76
A Plan 76 is used to collect leakage into the containment seal
cavity when the process fluid completely vaporizes (Figure 16). Since
containment seals are normally used to prevent or minimize process Figure 16. Standard Seal Flush Plan 76.
124 PROCEEDINGS OF THE TWENTIETH INTERNATIONAL PUMP USERS SYMPOSIUM • 2003

ANNEX F—MECHANICAL SEAL DATASHEETS One of the comments made about the new code is that it does not
include information about seal face and gasket materials. The Task
The First Edition introduced a very comprehensive set of seal
Force considered this and concluded that all seal types have a
data sheets. This consisted of five pages of seal data plus two
default set of materials defined in the standard. If the user desires
additional pages of pump data. While they were thorough, users
to specify alternative materials, these will need to be defined
seldom, if ever, completely filled these out. The Second Edition
outside the seal code.
revised these data sheets so that all the necessary information is
contained on two pages. Since the data requirements and design CONCLUSIONS
options are different for different seal categories, there are two sets
of data sheets. One set of data sheets covers Category 1 and 2 seals This tutorial provides a quick glimpse of the many changes in
and one set covers Category 3 seals. These data sheets are provided API 682, Second Edition (2002). The user is encouraged to review
in both SI and US customary units. a copy of the revised standard to determine the extent of the
changes and its effect on their organization. Overall, the Second
ANNEX J—MECHANICAL SEAL CODE Edition will allow the benefits of API 682 to be applied to a greater
number of applications and be used more easily in a global market.
Historically, many seal users have relied on the old API 610
(1995) coding for general designations of mechanical seals. The REFERENCES
code BSTFN (and its many variations) can still be seen on seal and
pump data sheets today. While this code was useful, it does not API Standard 610, 1995, “Centrifugal Pumps for Petroleum,
convey information that is required on seal selections in API 682. Heavy Duty Chemical and Gas Industry Services,” Eighth
Before developing the new code, the Task Force investigated who Edition, American Petroleum Institute, Washington, D.C.
was using seal codes. It was determined that the primary users API Standard 682, 1994, “Shaft Sealing Systems for Centrifugal
were engineering contractors working on projects. During the and Rotary Pumps,” First Edition, American Petroleum
project stage, operating conditions for the pump are defined, but Institute, Washington, D.C.
very little is known about the equipment that will be used for the
application. API Standard 682, 2002, “Pumps—Shaft Sealing Systems for
At the project stage, the Task Force identified four key pieces of Centrifugal and Rotary Pumps,” Second Edition, American
information that will be required for the seal OEM to select a seal: Petroleum Institute, Washington, D.C.
the seal category, the arrangement, the seal type, and the piping BIBLIOGRAPHY
plan. The first position of the code defines the category and is
designated as C1, C2, or C3. The second position defines the Huebner, M. B., Thorp, J. M., Buck, G. S., and Fernandez, C. L.,
arrangement and is designated as A1, A2, or A3. The third position 2002, “Advances in Mechanical Sealing—An Introduction to
defines the seal type and is designated as A, B, or C. The last API 682 Second Edition,” Proceedings of the Nineteenth
position defines the piping plan(s) and is designated by the two International Pump Users Symposium, Turbomachinery
digit piping plan number. If more than one plan is required (such Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas,
as on dual seals), the additional plans are added to the end of the pp. 59-65.
code.
An example of a new seal code is C1A1A11. This is interpreted ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
as Category 1 (C1), Arrangement 1 (A1), Type A (A) seal with a The author would like to thank the American Petroleum
Plan 11. An example of a dual seal with multiple piping plans is Institute for its cooperation and permission to reproduce figures
C3A2A1176. This is interpreted as a Category 3, Arrangement 2, for this tutorial. Special thanks go to Andrea Johnson for her
Type A seal with a Plan 11 on the inner seal and a Plan 76 on the “behind the scenes” work at API during the creation of this
outer seal. standard.