Hydrostatic Feed is a method of introducing clean filtered water directly into the seal interface to achieve optimum performance. It can be applied to any of the S M Seals range of shaft seals.

For effective operation the hydrostatic feed water should be at a higher pressure than the water being sealed. The level of filtration plays an important part in achieving optimum performance and S M Seals can supply a system for filtration of either station cooling water or penstock water.

The sketch (fig 1) shows a typical example of a S M Seals hydrostatic control system, we can also incorporate an automatic hydrocyclone into this system. Alternatively we can advise customers who may wish to provide their own systems.

(click here for pdf of fig 1)

Benefits

• Longer Life - The injection of a continuous pressurised supply of clean water directly into the centre of the running faces ensures improved lubrication and cooling and also excludes abrasive particles.
• Improved Performance - The use of hydrostatic feed enables higher speeds and pressures to be catered for due to improved lubrication and cooling.
• Effective Air Sealing - Hydrostatic feed water ensures lubrication and cooling of the seal faces on pump turbines when operating in 'Blow Down' condition for pump start or synchronous condenser mode.
• Vacuum Sealing - On turbines subject to either occasional or continuous vacuum conditions hydrostatic feed ensures lubrication and cooling of the seal running faces at all times.
• Energy Saving - Improved lubrication and cooling reduces friction losses in the seal.