Abstract
The reliability of industrial installation requires minimum leakage of pressurized sealed joints during operation. At the design stage, the leakage behavior of the gasket must be one of the most important parameter in the gasket selection. The objective of the work presented in this paper is to develop an analytical leak rate prediction methodology used in gasketed joints. A pseudo analytical-experimental innovative approach was used to estimate the characteristics of the porous structure for the purpose of predicting accurate leak rate through gaskets with different fluids under conditions similar to those of operation. The analytical model assumes the flow to be continuum but employs a slip boundary condition on the leak path wall to determine the porosity parameters of the gasket. The analytical model results are validated and confronted against experimental data which were conducted under various conditions of fluid media, pressure, gasket stress and temperature. Two experimental test rigs fully automate that accurately reproduces the real leakage behavior of the gasketed joint have been developed to analyze the mechanical and thermal effects on the gasket flow regime. The gas leaks were measured with multi-gas mass spectrometers while liquid leaks were measure using a sophisticated detection system based on the pressure rise method.
Highlights
Most industrial installations use gasketed joints to connect pressurized vessels and piping components
The objective of the work presented in this paper is to develop an analytical leak rate prediction methodology used in gasketed joints
The development of new materials for gasket products such as PTFE and graphite sheet requires an accurate prediction of the rarefied flow through their porous structure, and sophisticated techniques to measure very low mass flow rates
Summary
Most industrial installations use gasketed joints to connect pressurized vessels and piping components. These joints are prone to leakage that can cause accidents, environment damage and considerable loss in revenue. The study of leaks through gaskets at the micro and nano scales is much less advanced because the concern is to avoid catastrophic leak failures and to a lesser extent to reduce fugitive emissions. From this stand point, it seems unrealistic to consider the prediction of leaks at the micro and nano levels. There is a need to better understand leaks through nano-porous media and in particular through tight gaskets
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
