Numerical investigation on a hybrid Porous-Spiral Groove Mechanical Face Seal

A hybrid mechanical face seal is proposed combining a porous matrix and spiral groove on the seal ring. A coupled mathematical model is developed by considering the interaction between seepage in the porous matrix and the hydrodynamic in the seal surface. The fluid flow behavior in the porous matrix and fluid film is analyzed. The effects of geometrical parameters of porous ring and spiral groove on the sealing performance are investigated. The results show that compared with spiral groove face seal at low speed, the opening force of porous-spiral groove face seal is increased by 0.5 % to 10.0 % and the leakage rate is increased by 7.5 % to 29.0 %. A flow circuit is formed between the porous matrix and the sealing clearance: in the non-groove region, the liquid precipitates the seal gap from the porous ring; in the groove region, the liquid infiltrates into the porous ring from seal gap.