Tracking Property Analysis of a Dry Gas Seal Operating in Low Pressure Condition

Abstract

An analysis is performed on the tracking property of a spiral groove dry gas seal (DGS) operating in low pressure conditions based on a semi-analytical method developed by Miller and Green. The stiffness model of gas film is established by solving compressible Reynolds equation. And the stiffness model is applied to the kinetic model of seal ring to obtain tracking movement of seal ring. The influences of seal ring face geometry parameters, namely the spiral angle, the groove depth, the groove-dam ratio and the groove-land ratio, on tracking property are evaluated by a series of analysis. Recommended values of such parameters are given as a result of parametric design, to improve tracking performance of DGS in low pressure condition, which one can refer to in turbine compressor spiral groove DGS designs.