FEM analyses on the influence of fluid temperature on the mechanical seal leakage

A mechanical seal is a dynamic equipment that consists of 2 main pieces, a static ring and a rotating one, that are also having additional auxiliar items such as springs and gaskets. The rotating ring is pushed into frictional contact against the static ring, with the support of springs, fluid pressure, rotational velocity, and other factors. For a minimum leakage value, the forces that are acting on opening the seal must be lower than the those who closing it. A mechanical seal will always leak between the seal face, as it needs lubrification, based on the roughness values. This paper shows how the process fluid temperature plays a very important role in deciding on the mechanical seal behaviour and is calculating the leakage based on different working temperature, considering the gap created by the thermal expansion between the two faces.