Mechanical seal assembly with monitoring function, and method for the same

A mechanical seal arrangement comprising:

• a mechanical seal comprising a rotating slide ring and a stationary slide ring defining a sealing gap therebetween,
• wherein the rotating slide ring comprises a first sliding surface having a first information structure,
• wherein the stationary slide ring comprises a second sliding surface having a second information structure,
• wherein the first information structure and the second information structure at least partially overlap in an overlap area,
• at least one sensor for detecting sound, the sound being generated by the first information structure when moving past the second information structure,
• an evaluation unit, which is arranged to compare the sound detected with set values and to output a comparison result, wherein based on a change of the detected sound information is inferred about the condition of the mechanical seal and an exchange thereof is arranged, wherein the first information structure and the second information structure comprise defined recesses in the sliding surfaces,
• wherein at least one sliding surface comprises grooves provided in the sliding surface, wherein the first information structure and/or the second information structure are arranged in the groove.