Influence of pressure disturbance wave on dynamic response characteristics of liquid film seal for multiphase pump

Abstract

Slug flow or high GVF (Gas Volume Fraction) conditions can cause pressure disturbance waves and alternating loads at the boundary of mechanical seals for multiphase pumps, endangering the safety of multiphase pump units. The mechanical seal model is simplified by using periodic boundary conditions and numerical calculations are carried out based on the Zwart-Gerber-Belamri cavitation model. UDF (User Define Function) programs such as structural dynamics equations, alternating load equations, and pressure disturbance equations are embedded in numerical calculations, and the dynamic response characteristics of mechanical seal are studied using layered dynamic mesh technology. The results show that when the pressure disturbance occurs at the inlet, as the amplitude and period of the disturbance increase, the film thickness gradually decreases. And the fundamental reason for the hysteresis of the film thickness change is that the pressure in the high-pressure area cannot be restored in a timely manner. The maximum value of leakage and the minimum value of axial velocity are independent of the disturbance period and determined by the disturbance amplitude. The mutual interference between enhanced waves does not have a significant impact on the film thickness, while the front wave in the attenuated wave has a promoting effect on the subsequent film thickness changes, and the fluctuation of the liquid film cavitation rate and axial velocity under the attenuated wave condition deviates from the initial values. Compared with pressure disturbance conditions, alternating load conditions have a more significant impact on film thickness and leakage. During actual operation, it is necessary to avoid alternating load conditions in multiphase pump mechanical seals.