The effect of thermal-elastic deformation on the sealing performance of supercritical CO₂ dry gas seal

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the sealing performance of S-CO₂ dry gas seals (DGSs) by considering the effects of pressure-induced deformation, thermal deformation and coupling deformation.

Design/methodology/approach

A hydrodynamic lubrication flow model of S-CO₂ DGS was established, and the model was solved using the finite difference and finite element methods. The pressure-induced deformation and thermal deformation of the sealing ring, as well as the sealing performance under the effects of pressure-induced deformation, thermal deformation and coupling deformation, were obtained.

Findings

The deformation of the sealing ring is mainly thermal deformation. The influence of pressure-induced deformation on leakage and gas film stiffness is greater than that of thermal deformation and coupling deformation. However, thermal deformation has a greater impact on friction torque and minimum film thickness than pressure-induced deformation and coupling deformation. The influence of deformations on sealing performance is important.

Originality/value

The sealing performance of S-CO₂ DGSs was analyzed considering the effect of pressure-induced deformation, thermal deformation and coupling deformation, which can provide a theoretical basis for S-CO₂ DGS optimization design.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2023-0120/

Citation

Wang, Z., Wang, Q., Hao, M., Li, X. and Liu, K. (2023), "The effect of thermal-elastic deformation on the sealing performance of supercritical CO₂ dry gas seal", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 75 No. 8, pp. 950-958. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-04-2023-0120