The flow inside a seal chamber as induced by the influx of the flush fluid and the rotation of the primary ring is analyzed. The 3-D flow characteristic around the mating ring and the rotating ring are predicted by solving the Navier-Stokes equations in cylindrical coordinates. For this purpose, the pressure correction method was used in conjunction with the SIMPLE algorithm. A series of numerical solutions is presented that show the flow mechanism within the gap between the rings and the gland. The implication of the flow characteristic on the cooling of the rings is discussed.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Keywords:
mechanical seal, flow field, CFD, SIMPLE algorithm, pressure correction method, flow simulation, seals (stoppers), rings (structures), external flows, Navier-Stokes equations, cooling, numerical analysis
Topics:
Flow (Dynamics), Pressure, Cooling, Fluids
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 by American Society of Mechanical Engineers
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