A seal support system with discharging means

Abstract

A seal support system (1) for maintaining barrier fluid in a mechanical seal (2) comprising a vessel (10) for containing barrier fluid, feeding means for feeding barrier fluid between the vessel (10) and the mechanical seal (2), detecting means for automatically detecting barrier fluid within the vessel (10) and restoring means for automatically restoring barrier fluid within the vessel (10) and further comprising discharging means (100) for automatically draining barrier fluid from the vessel (10) after a predetermined period of time. The discharging means (100) may automatically drain barrier fluid from the vessel (10) for a predetermined period of time. The discharging means (100) may automatically drain barrier fluid from the vessel (10) with a predetermined rate of discharge. The discharging means (100) preferably comprise outlet means (120) for draining barrier fluid from the vessel (10) and a valve for automatically controlling the draining of barrier fluid from the vessel. The valve may be an electrically controlled valve and the discharging means (100) further comprises electric control means for controlling the operation of the valve. The valve may alternatively be a mechanically controlled valve and the discharging means (100) further comprises mechanical control means for controlling the operation of the valve.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.