API 685 is the industry specification for sealless centrifugal pumps in petroleum, petrochemical and gas industry process service. It does for canned motor and magnetic drive pumps what API 610 does for conventional sealed pumps.
What It Covers
API 685 covers the two sealless families: canned motor pumps and magnetic drive pumps. It sets requirements for design, materials, testing and documentation, and for the monitoring that protects the pump, because sealless pumps depend on the pumped liquid to lubricate their bearings.
Why It Matters
- Plants that already buy to API 610 can specify sealless pumps with the same discipline
- It gives buyers a common basis for comparing offers
- It addresses sealless-specific risks such as dry running, bearing wear and loss of liquid circulation
How It Differs from API 610
API 610 assumes a shaft seal and an external motor. API 685 deals with containment instead of a seal, with circulation arrangements that keep the bearings lubricated, and with monitoring of bearing wear and conditions inside the pump. See our guide to API 610 for the sealed-pump side.
What to Check When Specifying
- The liquid, its temperature range and its vapor pressure
- Circulation arrangement for bearing lubrication and cooling
- Monitoring for bearing wear, temperature and flow
- Hazardous area certification
- Material compatibility for wetted parts and the can
Power Energy helps buyers in Saudi Arabia and the GCC work through datasheets for canned motor pumps. See also canned motor vs magnetic drive pumps.
Talk to Power Energy
Send us the liquid, temperature, flow, head and area classification. Call or WhatsApp +966 56 278 9535 or email sales@powerenergy.com.co.