The fluid-structure interaction study of spiral groove upstream pumping mechanical seal

Abstract

To further study the characteristics of spiral groove upstream pumping mechanical face seal, a fluid-structure interaction CFD model is developed by the software ANSYS Workbench. The model can be used to predict the pressure distribution and pressure distortion of the seal pair. Compared to the single simulation of fluid film, and to one-way fluid-solid coupling, the results of two-way fluid-solid coupling are closer to the experimental date. The maximum deformation occurs in the top of the spiral groove of the rotating ring surface, while the maximum stress occurs at the back step seal of the rotating ring. Based on the CFD model, several common mechanical seal materials are used for a comparative analysis. It is found that material with higher Young's modulus can reduce the deformation, which is fit for spiral groove upstream pumping mechanical face seal without taking some other requirements into consideration. In order to reduce the deformation in the mating surface, it is suggested that the rotational ring should use hard mechanical seal material and the stationary ring should use soft material.