How to Choose a Seal Support System Reservoir for Reliably Processing Heavier Crudes

While safety has always been the top priority, COVID-19 has put extra pressure on many refineries. A major seal system leak or other reportable and fineable events could be a disaster in today’s business environment. So, with business on pause, it’s the perfect time to audit the refinery systems and subsystems to ensure top condition—starting with the seal support system.

A complete review of your seal system for upgrades and replacement can help identify and prevent future reliability problems with your critical equipment. From there, you can then select an appropriate seal support system reservoir. Here’s where to start.  

Considerations When Selecting a Seal Support System Reservoir  

As some refineries switched to heavier and more sour crude stocks, like in the California Bay Area plants, you’ve probably noted that not all of the systems and subsystems have kept up with the more recent process requirements. You may have even noticed the potential impact on smooth operations. Corrosion, specifically, can be insidious, revealing itself slowly over time, especially in seal support systems that may not get looked at as frequently. 

At its worst, corrosion can cause the need for both the mechanical seal and its seal support system to be upgraded or replaced. That’s why anytime there are problems with a heavier crude oil pump seal or seal system, it’s a good practice to review the seal support system and reservoir as well.  

A proper seal support design will take into consideration the process fluid, its temperature and pressure, and the likelihood of leakage—especially of H2S from sour crude slates. Subtle process changes that lower lubrication or slightly increase corrosion can take a long time to show up in how they affect subsystems like a seal support system.  

If the seal support system is not meeting the cooling needs of the mechanical seal and pump system, reservoir upgrades for the current operating conditions can be worthwhile to help lower equipment lifecycle costs. Your first question should be: 

Would the seal support system benefit from an upgraded reservoir with improved metallurgy and superior quality materials?

Both of these can help to lower the lifecycle cost of the pump. From Benicia to Martinez and beyond, many refineries now run crude slates with a much higher Naphthenic acid content. When that is the case, you will have to deal with the associated metallurgy concerns as the effect of those acids works its way through various subsystems. The potential end result: leaks. 

Once you decided that a seal support system reservoir upgrade or installation is necessary, two of the top considerations that you need to keep in mind when choosing one include: 

✔ Will the seal support system reservoir work with the capabilities of the current seal? 

With heavier and more viscous process fluids, do new seal or barrier fluids need to be considered?  Changes to the process may be unintentionally reducing seal lubrication or heat removal. 

✔ Does the reservoir system have a practical, ergonomic, and accessible installation? 

A seal reservoir upgrade is a perfect time to address any other ergonomic or accessibility problems. Consulting with a local design and fabrication partner may be useful, especially when you are trying to fit new equipment and components in an older, retrofitted plant. 

Properly selected reservoir systems are an important element in preventing leaks and reducing the overall lifecycle costs of your heavy oil pumps. But, obviously, it’s not as simple as checking a couple of boxes. To truly get the seal support system reservoir that fits the process requirement, current seal and seal support, and is practically designed with user-friendliness in mind, you should get an expert consultation. 

Reduce Lifecycle Costs With an Expert Consultation

One vendor that can help you select, design, and fabricate the complete reservoir and seal support systems gives your facility a single point of contact. Even more, though, you should expect better solutions, lower overall project costs, and a faster project schedule. The seal support system and reservoir will be in your facility for a long time, so you also need a company that stands behind their work.

Swagelok can do all of this with the added benefit of faster local service and support. Our Field Engineers can provide expert consultation—either on-site or via virtual contact—to help you determine which seal support system reservoir suits your needs or follow-up with any concerns. And, because we know the quality of our work stands above the others, we also offer the best Lifetime Warranty in the industry. 

Swagelok Northern California can help you with all of your heavy crude oil seal support system reservoir troubleshooting, selection, and Design Build needs. Contact our team today by calling 510-933-6200.

About Paul Lesnau | Sales Manager, Business Development Manager, and Field Engineer

Paul holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from North Dakota State University. Before joining Swagelok Northern California, he was the West Coast Regional Sales Manager for an organization based in Illinois involved in pneumatic and hydraulic applications where he supervised product distribution throughout the western United States, Canada, and Mexico. While in this role, he was able to help provide technical and application-specific expertise to customers and distribution to drive specifications.