One common use is as exclusion seals for magnetic disk drives. Adaptation of this technology to centrifugal pump applications required an extensive development effort. Laboratory tests show maximum emission rates of less than 3.0 ppm of organic vapors. Field evaluations on process pumps confirm the feasibility of using this technology to achieve strict emission control. Magnetic fluid seals are nonwearing devices.
Improved technology allows renewal of the magnetic fluid while the pump is in operation.
The magnetic fluid barrier provides a hermetic seal even if the mechanical seal leak rate increases due to wear.