Hydraulic Institute Unveils Updated ANSI/HI Standards for Sealless Pump Systems

The Hydraulic Institute (HI) has refreshed the 2000 edition of the ANSI/HI standard for sealless centrifugal pumps, issuing ANSI/HI 5.1–5.6—2010, "Sealless Rotodynamic Pumps for Nomenclature, Definitions, Application, Operation and Test." The revision covers pumps powered by canned motors or magnetic couplings with conventional motors.

ANSI/HI 5.1–5.6—2010 equips users with essential guidance on sealless pump construction, performance, and benefits. Key updates include new part names and definitions, clarified magnetic temperature and motor insulation limits, refined mounting specifications, and added monitoring device details. The test section now offers expanded information on test types, parameters, procedures, and acceptance criteria.

“Sealless pumps are chosen when containment of toxic, hazardous, or high‑value liquids is critical, or when environmental, safety, noise, or space constraints dictate their use,” explains Gregg Romanyshyn, HI’s Technical Director. “The sealed‑shaft design eliminates shaft penetration through the pressure boundary, dramatically reducing leakage risk.”

The committee, led by Roger Turley of Flowserve Pump (Flow Solutions Group) and Peter Gaydon of Chempump (Teikoku USA), incorporated the latest sealless technology. Manufacturers such as Chempump, Flow Solutions Group, ITT Industrial Process, and Iwaki America contributed to the updated standard.

HI also updated ANSI/HI 4.1–4.6—2010, "Sealless, Magnetically Driven Rotary Pumps," covering types, nomenclature, definitions, design, installation, operation, maintenance, and testing. Magnetically driven pumps use permanent magnets to transfer torque through a containment shell, keeping the driven shaft and pump elements fully within the pressurized liquid boundary.

Romanyshyn notes, "Sealless rotary pumps combine the low‑shear advantages of positive‑displacement designs with the containment needed for hazardous or valuable liquids. The updated hermetic integrity testing procedures further enhance safety assurance.”

The standard was developed by a committee featuring John Owen of IMO Pump (Colfax Corporation) and Alan Wild of Moyno Inc., alongside representatives from Flowserve Pump Division, Leistritz Corporation, Intelliquip LLC, IMO Pump, Milton Roy Americas, Moyno, Inc., Roper Pump Company, Siemens Water Technologies, and Weir Floway, Inc.

HI Pump Standards are trusted references for users, consultants, contractors, manufacturers, and system integrators. The institute regularly updates its standards to reflect industry evolution. The full ANSI/HI library is available in print or electronic form through the HI eStore at eStore.Pumps.org or by calling 973‑267‑9700, ext. 118.