A reduction of vibrations in mechanical seals increases the life of the seals in centrifugal pumps by minimizing fatigue damage. Mechanical seals consist of two smooth seal faces. One face is stationary with respect to the pump. The other rotates. Between the faces a fluid film evaporates as the fluid moves radially outward across the seal face. Ideally, the film evaporates as it reaches the outer surface of the seal faces, thereby preventing leakage from the pump and effectively lubricating the two surfaces. Relative vibrations between the two surfaces affect the fluid film and lead to stresses on the seal faces, which lead to fatigue damage. As the fluid film breaks down, impacts between the two seal faces create tensile stresses on the faces, which cycle at the speed of the motor rotation. These cyclic stresses provide the mechanism leading to fatigue crack growth. The magnitude of the stress is directly related to the rate of crack growth and time to failure of a seal. Related to the stress magnitude, vibration data is related to the life of mechanical seals in pumps.
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ASME/STLE 2007 International Joint Tribology Conference
October 22–24, 2007
San Diego, California, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Tribology Division
ISBN:
0-7918-4810-8
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Relationship Between Vibrations and Mechanical Seal Life in Centrifugal Pumps
Robert A. Leishear,
Robert A. Leishear
Washington Savannah River Company, Aiken, SC
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David B. Stefanko
David B. Stefanko
Washington Savannah River Company, Aiken, SC
Search for other works by this author on:
Robert A. Leishear
Washington Savannah River Company, Aiken, SC
David B. Stefanko
Washington Savannah River Company, Aiken, SC
Paper No:
IJTC2007-44017, pp. 429-431; 3 pages
Published Online:
March 23, 2009
Citation
Leishear, RA, & Stefanko, DB. "Relationship Between Vibrations and Mechanical Seal Life in Centrifugal Pumps." Proceedings of the ASME/STLE 2007 International Joint Tribology Conference. ASME/STLE 2007 International Joint Tribology Conference, Parts A and B. San Diego, California, USA. October 22–24, 2007. pp. 429-431. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/IJTC2007-44017
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