SNS-VN

Engineered Seals

Custom-designed seals (engineered seals) are developed specifically for special conditions that standard seals struggle to meet, such as high speed, pressure, or temperature, special media, or limited installation space.

When to use custom-designed seals

Standard seals are optimized for most common applications. When equipment falls outside of that range, or standard seals fail repeatedly, custom design is more effective in the long run.

Design process

  • Collect operating parameters: medium, pressure, temperature, speed, shaft and seal chamber size.
  • Analyze working conditions and risks such as evaporation, crystallization, solid particles.
  • Propose suitable configuration, material, and auxiliary system.
  • Manufacture samples, check dimensions, and conduct testing when necessary.
  • Install, monitor operation, and adjust.

Common special conditions

  • High peripheral speed causing centrifugal force and heat generation at the seal face.
  • Extremely high pressure causing seal face deformation.
  • Very high or very low temperatures, such as liquefied gas.
  • Highly corrosive media, many solid particles, or easy crystallization.
  • Small or non-standard seal chamber.

Analysis and testing

Custom design often relies on calculations of seal face deformation and heat, flow analysis around the seal, and experimental verification. This helps predict potential leakage, overheating, or wear.

Improving problematic seals

If a seal fails repeatedly, it's necessary to analyze the root cause first, then adjust the material, seal face geometry, drainage or cooling system, rather than just replacing it with the same old one.

Benefits

  • Reliable sealing in harsh conditions.
  • Reduced downtime and long-term maintenance costs.
  • Suitable for special equipment or renovations.

Note

Custom-designed seals often require longer manufacturing time and higher initial costs. Please provide complete information to shorten the design time.

Consultation

SNS-VN supports surveying and consulting custom-designed seals for special rotating equipment in oil and gas, petrochemical, and energy industries. Please contact us for support.