Numerical Simulation of Face Flow Field for Dry Gas Seal

Based on the Navier-Stokes equation,the laminar model and the SIMPLEC algorithm,the numerical simulation of face flow filed under different face clearances and rotational speeds was carried out to obtain more details about the fluid field and high stability of dry gas seal.The distribution of film pressure and the variety of opening force were investigated emphatically.The numerical result shows that there is a clear change in film pressure at the intersection of groove and dam.Hydrodynamic pressure produces at the outlet,and a negative pressure zone is formed at the inlet.Hydrodynamic pressure decreases rapidly with the increase of face clearance and changes acutely when the clearance is less than 3 μm.The difference pressure of inlet and outlet will raise opening force and film stiffness.Opening force and film stiffness can be raised through enlarging the positive pressure zone and reducing the negative zone,and as a result,the stability of dry gas seal is increased.