Computational and experimental investigation of thermal behaviour and flow field of a mechanical seal

Masoomeh Shadab¹ Soheil Pazoki²

1) PhD candidate of mechanical engineering - Hydraulic Machinery Research Institute, School of Mechanical Engineering College of Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 11365/4563 Tehran, Iran-
2) Graduated of mechanical engineering - School of Mechanical Engineering College of Engineering - Azad University - Roudehen branch - Roudehen - Tehran - Iran -

Publication : 2nd International Congress On Engineering, Technology and Innovation(eticong.com/2nd)
Abstract :
Turbulent flow inside the seal chamber of a pump operating at nearly high Reynolds number is investigated. The 3D numerical simulation of the flow and thermal analysis of a mechanical seal is compared with the experimental data. The Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations in conjunction with the energy equation are used for the simulations. The Reynolds stress model (RSM) is employed for turbulence modeling. The Numerical simulations adequately predict the flow field in the seal chamber and the thermal characteristics with the rotating and stationary rings and the twister flow around the seal. Experimental work are discussed which quantify the fluid temperature in five working points inside the chamber, mass flow at the inlet and the fluid pressure at inlet and outlet. Experimental measurements are combined with computational modeling to obtain local and average heat transfer characteristics. Numerical results of three cases including different flush rates are reported.
Keywords : Mechanical seal CFD flow field heat transfer heat flux