Two-Phase Mechanical Face Seal Operation: Experimental And Theoretical Observations

Abstract

Experimental and theoretical results related to two·phase mechanical face seal operation are presented. The basic cause for the transition from low friction to high friction operation with increasing temperature is discussed. The causes for seal puffing are discussed. A model which predicts seal performance as a function of temperature is described. Experimental results are presented for a series of high temperature seal tests. These results clearly show the transition with increasing temperature but puffing does not always occur. The experimental results are compared to theory. There is qualitative agreement on the variation of friction torque with temperature and good agreement on the prediction of the transition point. It is pointed out how the model can be used by seal designers and users to better understand the limits of two-phase operations. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations for further work are made.