FLUID TEMPERATURE AND FILM COEFFICIENT PREDICTION AND MEASUREMENT IN MECHANICAL FACE SEALS - NUMERICAL RESULTS

Based on a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code, an axisymmetric num erical model was developed to predict fluid and solid temperature dist ributions for an arbitrary mechanical face seal geometry and operating conditions. The effects of varying coolant source location and rates were investigated. Also various seal chamber configurations were exami ned. For dead-ended seals, the CFD model shows ow heat is transferred away from the seal by turbulent diffusion. Predictions of the local he at transfer coefficients using the present procedure were made and com pared to available heat transfer coefficient correlations in the liter ature. The predictions are also compared to seal fluid and seat temper ature measurements.