Parametric study of a novel groove design for dry gas seals

Abstract

This paper presents a performance analysis of a novel bidirectional groove design for dry gas seals. The scope of analysis includes the impact of important groove design parameters on the dry gas seal performance. The leakage flow and the axial stiffness and damping force coefficients are taken into account for performance assessment. For varying geometry the pressure field in the lubrication gap of the application is estimated. Based on these pressure fields the performance parameters are calculated. The utilized method to predict the fluid flow through the lubrication gap is founded on the Reynolds theory of lubrication. This two dimensional approach is based on the assumptions of a laminar viscous flow field with isothermal conditions and takes aerostatic as well as aerodynamic effects into account. The 2D approach is solved by a finite difference approximation. The aim of the contribution is to recommend geometrical parameters to ensure large static stiffness and damping force coefficients while still allowing for low seal leakage rates.