Effect of Impeller Geometry, Rotational Speed, and Fluid Properties on Seal Chamber Flow

Abstract

Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) are used to measure the three components of the flow velocity in the seal chamber of a mechanical pusher seal at three shaft rotational speeds of 1000, 1800, and 3600 rpm. The flow details in the narrow gap region between the rotor and the stator are also measured. The Taylor numbers corresponding to the three rotational speeds with water and a lightweight heat transfer mineral oil used as process fluids varied between 1.087 × 10⁷ and 9.48 × 10¹⁰. A smaller size impeller with diameter 12.7 cm compared with 25.4 cm diameter impeller used in previous works, was used in this research. Large differences are observed between flow structures in the seal chamber flow for oil and water. The effect of impeller size and the location of balance holes on the seal chamber flow for water at rotational speed of 1800 rpm is presented

Presented at the 56th Annual Meeting Orlando, Florida May 20–24, 2001

KEY WORDS:

• Mechanical Seals
• Fluid Mechanics

Notes

Presented at the 56th Annual Meeting Orlando, Florida May 20–24, 2001