Sealing simulation of the joint faces of a split-case pump – Part I

Abstract

The water-pressure test provides an indispensable way of inspecting a split-case pump to ascertain and ensure sealing performance of its joint faces. This article, which is published in two instalments, presents a convenient and practical numerical method, including a sub-model and bolt thread contact, to simulate the above test according to the ANSI/API Standard 610, and speed up the optimal design procedure. The first part of this article, which appears here, mainly describes the computation flow and numerical model, including evaluation criteria of sealing performance, boundary conditions, contact pairs and the sub-model. The second instalment will be published in the December 2019 issue of Sealing Technology.