Integral pumping rings for dual mechanical seals: hydraulic performance evaluation using numerical simulations

The flow of barrier fluid through an industrial pressurized dual mechanical seal cartridge is investigated and evaluated experimentally and numerically. The cartridge is of the bi-directional type wherein it is radial-flow designed and fitted with a bi-directional integral pumping ring. The standard...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Engineering applications of computational fluid mechanics 2020-01, Vol.14 (1), p.923-938
Main Authors: Ward, Hassan A., Adam, Ihab G., Salem, Ahmed B., Gamaleldin, Muhannad W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
barrier fluid
Cartridges
Computational fluid dynamics
Design analysis
Design defects
Dual mechanical seals
Flow velocity
flow visualization
Fluid flow
integral pumping rings
Integrals
Performance evaluation
Pumping
Radial flow
Regeneration
Seals
Seals (stoppers)
Simulation
Turbulence models
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Summary:The flow of barrier fluid through an industrial pressurized dual mechanical seal cartridge is investigated and evaluated experimentally and numerically. The cartridge is of the bi-directional type wherein it is radial-flow designed and fitted with a bi-directional integral pumping ring. The standard k-ϵ turbulence model is applied and the multiple frame of reference method is utilized to simulate the motion of the pumping ring. The present study is a continuation of former experimental and numerical companion work conducted in the area of the design and evaluation of integral pumping rings for dual mechanical seals. In the present study, barrier fluid flow is visualized to provide internal insight of the flow behavior leading to a better understanding of the pumping mechanism on both quantitative and qualitative aspects. The flow field is evaluated and a number of design defects are revealed. The simulations show that barrier fluid is being trapped in closed circulation in the inboard-seal region, consequently implying weaker regeneration of barrier fluid in that region in comparison with the outboard-seal region. Moreover, the simulations also reveal the existence of a relatively large separation zone at the outlet port leading to increased losses and reduced flow rate capacity of the device.
ISSN:1994-2060
1997-003X
DOI:10.1080/19942060.2020.1771425