CFD INVESTIGATION OF MECHANICAL SEAL FOR IMPROVE THERMAL PROPERTY BY USING DIFFERENT COMPOSITE MATERIAL IN MATING RING

Abstract

Heat accumulation is the major cause that leads to change in material properties affecting seal performance, hence heat dissipation is required. The paper constitutes the method to improve the heat transfer rate in mechanical seal for decreasing the interface temperature of the seal face. Different factors that affect the performance of mechanical seal are friction, wear and its thermal characteristics. Concept of Fourier’s law of heat conduction through cylindrical surfaces is used for optimizing the heat transfer rate. Composite material for mating ring with different thermal conductivity is used to increase the heat transfer rate to enhance the seal performance. Properties of Carbon graphite and silicon carbide were used in the Simulation and simulation was performed using ANSYS Mechanical Module 14.5 and CFD FLUENT. Simulated values for the mating ring made of single material and the composite ring was observed and compared. The interface temperature of the mating ring is effectively decreased, due to increase in heat dissipation.