Characteristics analysis of mechanical seal face based on thermo-hydrodynamic effect

Characteristics analysis of mechanical seal face based on thermo-hydrodynamic effect

Yuanxiang ZhangYuliang Zhang 

Key Laboratory of Air-driven Equipment Technology of Zhejiang Province, Quzhou University, Quzhou 324000, China

Corresponding Author Email: 
zhangyx@qzu.zj.cn
Page: 
1025-1030
|
DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.18280/ijht.360332
Received: 
19 December 2017
| |
Accepted: 
10 May 2018
| | Citation

OPEN ACCESS

Abstract: 

The thermo-hydrodynamic effect of the non-contact mechanical seal includes the liquid film flow characteristics and heat transfer characteristics of the seal face. It is of great practical significance to study the effects of friction and thermal deformation on the liquid film flow characteristics and heat transfer characteristics of the mechanical seal. This paper obtains the governing equation of the liquid film flow characteristics of the mechanical seal based on the momentum conservation and mass conservation equations, and then studies the thermo-hydrodynamic effect mechanism of the mechanical seal face through the coupling analysis of the interactions between the mechanical seal ring and the liquid film. The research results show that the mechanical seal face is deformed under the action of friction and mechanical force, and the liquid film flow characteristics of the end face changes. The liquid film pressure of the parallel flow channel increases linearly along the axial direction, and the liquid film pressure of the non-parallel flow channel exhibits a non-linear increase in a “convex” or “concave” direction; the leakage rate of the parallel flow channel is the smallest, followed by that of the convergent flow channel and then that of the divergent one. The liquid film bearing capacity of the convergent channel is the largest and that of the divergent one is the smallest. Overall, the performance of the parallel flow channel is the most stable. When the mechanical seal face is only subjected to the friction of the liquid film, the larger the angular frequency, the smaller the thickness of the liquid film, and the more heat generated by the friction. The heat transfer coefficient of the rotating ring is much greater than that of the stationary ring, so the heat absorption of the former is also significantly higher than that of the latter. The research results can provide theoretical reference for the study of the non-contact mechanical seal mechanism and the practical application of the thermo-hydrodynamic effect.

Keywords: 

thermo-hydrodynamic effect, mechanical seal, face characteristics, heat transfer characteristic

1. Introduction
2. Analysis on the Liquid Film Flow Characteristics of the Mechanical Seal Face
3. Analysis on the Heat Transfer Characteristics of the Mechanical Seal
4. Conclusions
Acknowledgements

This work is supported by National Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51605252 and 51876103) and Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation (No. LY18E090007)

  References

[1] Cicone T, Pascovici MD, and Tournerie B. (2001). Non-isothermal performance characteristics of fluid film mechanical face seals. ARCHIVE Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part J Journal of Engineering Tribology 1994-1996 (vols 208-210) 215(1): 35-44. https://doi.org/10.1243/1350650011541729 

[2] Peng XD, Xie YB, and Gu YQ. (2006). Simpler method for volatile medium pump mechanical seals. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers -- Part J 220(7): 643-647. https://doi.org/10.1243/13506501j03104 

[3] Wang YM, Wang JL, Yang HX, Jiang N, Sun XK. (2004). Theoretical analyses and design guidelines of oil-film-lubricated mechanical face seals with spiral grooves. A S L E Transactions 47(4): 537-542. https://doi.org/10.1080/05698190490500743 

[4] Ma G, Zhao W, Shen XM. (2012). Effect of surface roughness on performance of spiral groove gas film face seal. Applied Mechanics & Materials 184-185: 180-183. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.184-185.180 

[5] Brunetiere N. (2014). The lubrication regimes of mechanical face seals. Applied Mechanics & Materials 630: 255-266. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.630.255 

[6] Zhou J, and Boqin GU. (2007). Characteristics of fluid film in optimized spiral groove mechanical seal. Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering 20(6): 54-61. https://doi.org/10.3901/cjme.2007.06.054 

[7] Zhang ZS, Yang YM, Dai XD, Xie YB. (2013). Effects of thermal boundary conditions on plain journal bearing thermohydrodynamic lubrication. Tribology Transactions 56(5): 759-770. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402004.2013.797531 

[8] Ionescu M, Mihai I. (2010). Analytical model of thermohydrodynamic estimation of slider bearing. Lubrication Science 22(10): 479-485. https://doi.org/10.1002/ls.129 

[9] Yang H. (2005). Experimental investigations and field applications of oil-film-lubricated mechanical face seals with spiral grooves. Tribology Transactions 48(4): 589-596. https://doi.org/10.1080/05698190590948232 

[10] Wada S, Hashimoto H, Nakagawa T. (2008). Thermohydrodynamic lubrication of journal bearings in turbulent flow. Bulletin of Jsme 23(179): 773-780. https://doi.org/10.1299/jsme1958.23.773 

[11] Migout F, Brunetière N, Tournerie B. (2015). Study of the fluid film vaporization in the interface of a mechanical face seal. Tribology International 92: 84-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2015.05.029 

[12] Gu BQ, Zhou JF, Ye C, Sun JJ. (2008). Frictional heat transfer regularity of the fluid film in mechanical seals. Science in China 51(5): 611-623. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-008-0045-5 

[13] Luan Z, Khonsari MM. (2009). A thermohydrodynamic analysis of a lubrication film between rough seal faces. ARCHIVE Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part J Journal of Engineering Tribology 1994-1996 (vols 208-210) 223(4): 665-673. https://doi.org/10.1243/13506501jet456 

[14] Danos JC, Tournerie B, Frêne J. (2000). Notched rotor face effects on thermohydrodynamic lubrication in mechanical face seal. Tribology 38(00): 251-259. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0167-8922(00)80130-3 

[15] Rouillon M, Brunetière N. (2018). Spiral groove face seal behaviour and performance in liquid lubricated applications. Tribology Transactions (3): 1-41. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402004.2018.1463426 

[16] Huang ZP, Zhang Z, Zhang JK, Chen K, Fu P, Lin ZB. (2014). Research on the micro scope condition of end face of liquid-lubricated mechanical seals. Advanced Materials Research 898: 574-577. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.898.574 

[17] Lee D, Sun KH, Kim B, Kang D. (2018). Thermal behavior of a worn tilting pad journal bearing: thermohydrodynamic analysis and pad temperature measurement. Tribology Transactions (4): 1-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402004.2018.1469805 

[18] Alyaqout SF, Elsharkawy AA. (2013). Optimum shape design for surface of a thermohydrodynamic lubrication slider bearing. Lubrication Science 25(6): 379-395. https://doi.org/10.1002/ls.1189 

[19] Zhou JF, Gu BQ. (2007). Coupling analysis of fluid film and thermal deformation of sealing members in spiral groove mechanical seal. Key Engineering Materials 353-358(353-358): 2455-2458. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.353-358.2455 

[20] Brunetière N, Modolo B. (2009). Heat transfer in a mechanical face seal. International Journal of Thermal Sciences 48(4): 781-794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2008.05.014 

[21] Zhou J, Gu B. (2006). Analysis of thermal deformation of end face of mechanical seal ring and forecast based on bp ann. Journal of Chemical Industry & Engineering 57(12): 2902-2907.

[22] Yu L, Yu SR. (2012). Heat transfer in a mechanical face seal. Advanced Materials Research 560-561: 91-99. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.560-561.91 

[23] Zhou J. (2006). Effect of end face deformation on the characteristic of fluid film in mechanical seal. Lubrication Engineering 70(12): 81-84.

[24] Takami MR, Gerdroodbary MB, Ganji DD. (2017). Thermal analysis of mechanical face seal using analytical approach. 5: 60-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2017.10.023 

[25] Djamaï A, Brunetière N, Tournerie B. (2010). Numerical modeling of thermohydrodynamic mechanical face seals. Tribology Transactions 53(3): 414-425. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402000903350612 

[26] Chen Z, Liu T, Li J. (2016). The effect of the o-ring on the end face deformation of mechanical seals based on numerical simulation. Tribology International 97: 278-287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2016.01.038 

[27] Cheng JH., Ge PQ, Liu M. (2002). Fem analysis and experi-mental study on tempera-ture field of mechanical seal ring. Journal of Shandong University of Technology 32(4): 385-388.

[28] Bo R. (2002). Numerical modeling of dynamic sealing behaviors of spiral groove gas face seals. Journal of Tribology 124(1): 186-195. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1398291

[29] Xue J, Luo W, Liu Z, Wu Z, Wang J, Liao R. (2018). A criterion of negative frictional pressure drop in vertical twophase flow. Chemical Engineering Transactions 66: 415-420. https://doi.org/10.3303/CET1866070

[30] Wei F, Jiang B, Pan B. (2018). Frictional wear of potassium titanate whisker filled carbon fabric/epoxy composites. Chemical Engineering Transactions 66: 115-120. https://doi.org/10.3303/CET1866020