To be able to cope with the sand, water and gases found in crude oil, mineral oil pumping systems require heavy-duty pumps with reliable, hard-wearing mechanical seals that feature dure-able sliding faces with good emergency running,  characteristics. Often it is necessary to seal pres-sures in excess of 100 bar and sliding velo-cities of over 60 m/s. The ideal combination for such conditions has proven to be high-strength carbons running against silicon carbide. It also scores high marks for resistance to chemicals and erosion as

well as for its emergency running characteristics. 

These seals are designed not to clog even if affec-ted by solid deposits. 

Use is made of materials resistant to sea water such as the standard 1.4462 (similar to Duplex, AISI 329), 

but also specialty materials such as Carpenter 20, Monel K500, Hastelloy ® C and B, Inconel ® 625 and Titanium.